Hope can be hard to maintain through a grueling job search.

It's such a roller coaster ride -- getting excited, then having your hopes dashed upon rejection.... getting excited all over again, only to have your hopes dashed all over again. Then the next job arises that gets you excited, and so it goes on.

I've gone through this for nearly a year. I even had one job offer taken away from me through the negotiation process. What a disappointment that was, but the philosophical side to me said that wasn't the right one.

So I just found a great job that I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have. It's very different than what I've been doing. But rather than put all my eggs into this one basket, I'm going to keep searching and keep applying, with the hope that something else will appeal just as much.

Bottom line is: it takes a lot of strength and stamina to get through a job search, especially one that's gone on this long. It's an endurance test for sure.

This search most definitely is testing my strength, but I am hopeful that the right job will come along, as long as I keep my eyes open and my mind open to new possibilities. Gotta just stay positive and strong. My resilience to rejection is growing.

Can anyone else relate to this? That the job search is an endurance test?

[GoodVibrations101]

Originally Posted by golden_eve

Hope can be hard to maintain through a grueling job search.

It's such a roller coaster ride -- getting excited, then having your hopes dashed upon rejection.... getting excited all over again, only to have your hopes dashed all over again. Then the next job arises that gets you excited, and so it goes on.

I've gone through this for nearly a year. I even had one job offer taken away from me through the negotiation process. What a disappointment that was, but the philosophical side to me said that wasn't the right one.

So I just found a great job that I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have. It's very different than what I've been doing. But rather than put all my eggs into this one basket, I'm going to keep searching and keep applying, with the hope that something else will appeal just as much.

Bottom line is: it takes a lot of strength and stamina to get through a job search, especially one that's gone on this long. It's an endurance test for sure.

This search most definitely is testing my strength, but I am hopeful that the right job will come along, as long as I keep my eyes open and my mind open to new possibilities. Gotta just stay positive and strong. My resilience to rejection is growing.

Can anyone else relate to this? That the job search is an endurance test?

I definitely agree that the job search is an endurance test, and, unfortunately, in my experience, it is one that the job seeker has to travel alone. I have had no former colleagues reach out to express sympathy or offer assistance for my job search. If I publicized my job search to my school circle, I am certain none of them would offer assistance (and I would also feel humiliated).

I think the best course of action is to

a. Retool or retrain oneself. Getting new skills makes me feel more desirable, and I find academics are often more open to helping their students than others, so I can get a letter of recommendation.

b. Get part-time or intern or even volunteer experience in the field while waiting for a good full-time job. I believe this, but at the same time I have been offered some demeaning part-time work that paid half of my usual fee. I don't take on demeaning work.

c. Work on independent writing projects. At the moment, I am writing a second book because it is fun for me and will add to my resume and will boost my chances of certain jobs.

Yes, it is a lonely, solo endeavor that's for sure.

All your ideas for being proactive are great! I've done at least (A) and (B). Right now, I am too burnt out from the job search itself to even think about additional education, volunteer work or projects.

All I want is a BREAK from this endless search, but I cannot take a break. I don't have the luxury. :/ I am so fried.

[Shazerac]

I can relate. A job search is exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Then after all that you have...... a job

Not exactly what you hope to find at the end of the rainbow.

Hang in there

[Yzen]

Keep at it, Golden Eve. I'm pulling for you. Have you been on TheMuse.com ? They have some great advice, job search tools, and job search articles/videos: https://www.themuse.com/tags/job-search-videos

Originally Posted by Shazerac

I can relate. A job search is exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Then after all that you have...... a job

Not exactly what you hope to find at the end of the rainbow.

Hang in there

Haha... you're sooooooo right. After the exhausting, nerve wracking process, then you have to deal with the job itself. Can't we all just win the lottery and never have to work again? hehehe.

Originally Posted by Yzen

Keep at it, Golden Eve. I'm pulling for you. Have you been on TheMuse.com ? They have some great advice, job search tools, and job search articles/videos: https://www.themuse.com/tags/job-search-videos

Thanks so much!! And thank you soooo very much for this resource!! I will check it out - lord knows I need as much help as I can get right now.

[Turtle_Rider]

I feel you. We're on same boat right now.

It's exhausting and pressuring.

All I can say is I hope everyone struggling find their job soon.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by golden_eve

Hope can be hard to maintain through a grueling job search.

It's such a roller coaster ride -- getting excited, then having your hopes dashed upon rejection.... getting excited all over again, only to have your hopes dashed all over again. Then the next job arises that gets you excited, and so it goes on.

I've gone through this for nearly a year. I even had one job offer taken away from me through the negotiation process. What a disappointment that was, but the philosophical side to me said that wasn't the right one.

So I just found a great job that I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have. It's very different than what I've been doing. But rather than put all my eggs into this one basket, I'm going to keep searching and keep applying, with the hope that something else will appeal just as much.

Bottom line is: it takes a lot of strength and stamina to get through a job search, especially one that's gone on this long. It's an endurance test for sure.

This search most definitely is testing my strength, but I am hopeful that the right job will come along, as long as I keep my eyes open and my mind open to new possibilities. Gotta just stay positive and strong. My resilience to rejection is growing.

Can anyone else relate to this? That the job search is an endurance test?

Well you know I've said before you and I are in the same boat. I totally understand this endurance test. I feel like I'm coming the end of my marathon. Like you I have found a few really good fits and I'm in the middle of a few interview processes. I'm hoping to have a job by the end of the month, and I'm hoping it keeps me in town.

Seesaw

Turtle, yes, I hope everyone who is struggling to find work finds the work they need and want!! I hope your own search ends with a rainbow!

Seesaw, I am very happy for you!! I know you've been struggling too, so hoorayy!!!!

As for me, I have a video interview on Thursday for a big job that I don't feel I am fully qualified to do - or maybe I am?

I think I am losing my confidence because of all the rejections... rejection after rejection... at this point, all I can think is that it must be me. Something I am lacking., or I am just not selling myself enough.

Either way, I don't feel confident going into this interview. Usually, I refer to and read my notes during phone interviews, but this time I cannot. I have to go from the top of my head, which is always much harder for me. Argh.

I think the bottom line is, even though I remain hopeful, I am starting to feel like a failure, and it is hard to keep going.

I have to continuously study up on my field and I have to know all the latest and greatest tactics. It's exhausting.

Maybe I'm in the wrong field, and I have tried to branch out of it by applying to other types of jobs, but I am not getting those interviews..... I am too knee-deep in my field at this point and lack the experience to get these other types of jobs. Maybe I DO need more education, but I cannot imagine taking yet another certification course. I've already done several and one just earlier this year.

Bless the day I actually land a job offer.

[Shazerac]

Feel free to slap me if you wanna, but it's always darkest before the dawn.

I have my fingers crossed that you get a great job, really soon.

Originally Posted by Shazerac

Feel free to slap me if you wanna, but it's always darkest before the dawn.

I have my fingers crossed that you get a great job, really soon.

Oh, it sure is... LOL. No slapping, that's a good saying and it fits!!!!

And thanks so very much...... I do too!!!!!!!!!

[scarlett35]

I'm going through exactly the same thing as you right now. I'm struggling to find a job! I'm also really anxious about rejection and because of social anxiety the process of applying/being interviewed etc is so scary! You're putting yourself out there to be judged and it's really hard!

I just take one day at a time. I do one thing a day to help in my job search, whether it's updating my cv/linked in or sending in a job application, or even just searching for a job. It stops it from taking over and becoming too overwhelming.

Always ask for help and let your family and friends support you. It may be a solo individual thing but you don't have to go through it alone. Get people to read your cv, look out for jobs for you etc! I think it's so important we look after ourselves when job hunting! Especially as it can effect our self esteem so much when we get rejected.

Sorry you're in the same boat! (((hugs))))

And I know what you mean - it IS hard! The best advice I can give you around interviews is to be well prepared and confident in your abilities - but if you're not feeling confident, as they say, fake it. I fake it sometimes and it's worked. Next time, I want try to imagine that person being a family member I am just having a conversation with. Maybe that will help you, too? Of course, while remaining professional.

That's great you're doing something productive each day! I try to as well, even if it involves just looking at job listings.

I haven't asked for much help with any of it, that's prob something I could do more of. I realized where I've gone wrong though and that is with answering specific knowledge-based questions. I just gotta keep working at it and improving upon areas I need to improve.

I wish you all the best in your search!!!! And with your interviews!!!!! (((((more hugs)))) Keep at it and you'll get there.

[seesaw]

I am starting to feel like a failure too. A job I had interviewed on last week, I didn't move forward in the job search. But I'm up for another position at the same place, and did move forward in that search. It's taking so long, it's very frustrating. I'm up for two jobs with the same recruiter, but they will only put me forward for one of them, and who knows how long the process is going to take since they are both out of state.

Then I was up for another job, that would require me to move, and I had to pass on interviewing for it because I just found out that city and county have breed specific legislation, which means I'd have to give up my dog to move there. And what am I fighting for and struggling for if I have to give up everything to move to a place that I'll resent because I lost my dog. I couldn't handle losing another dog. I lost three because of my mental illness when I was hospitalized so many times. I know some people would disagree with that decision but I couldn't mentally handle going through that again.

I need something to come through already. I feel like interviewing is my full-time job now.

Seesaw

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by golden_eve

Sorry you're in the same boat! (((hugs))))

And I know what you mean - it IS hard! The best advice I can give you around interviews is to be well prepared and confident in your abilities - but if you're not feeling confident, as they say, fake it. I fake it sometimes and it's worked. Next time, I want try to imagine that person being a family member I am just having a conversation with. Maybe that will help you, too? Of course, while remaining professional.

That's great you're doing something productive each day! I try to as well, even if it involves just looking at job listings.

I haven't asked for much help with any of it, that's prob something I could do more of. I realized where I've gone wrong though and that is with answering specific knowledge-based questions. I just gotta keep working at it and improving upon areas I need to improve.

I wish you all the best in your search!!!! And with your interviews!!!!! (((((more hugs)))) Keep at it and you'll get there.

Thank you! And thanks for the tips! I'm so nervous in case I get a call about a job interview, but also worried that I won't!

I hope you manage something too! Hopefully the interviews you've had before serve as practice and hopefully you are becoming more comfortable with being interviewed

Good luck *hugs*

((((((((((Seesaw))))))))) Seems you made the right decision about keeping your doggie. I would have passed on that job, too.

Good news is they're moving you forward in the one job --- hold onto the positives!! =) Though I can fully relate to your sentiments - I feel like interviewing is my full-time job too. DO be sure to take much needed breaks!!! You deserve it, even if it's for a few hours each afternoon. ((((More hugs)))) hang in there!!

@Scarlet -- thank you! (((((((Hugs)))))))) They have served as good practice -- I figured out something today that I did wrong in my last interview, so I'm learning....

and I can relate to your worries about interviewing from a different angle. MY PTSD sometimes gets triggered during interviews and I end up physically shaking. It's awful. I try deep breathing to relax and pause slightly before responding so that I can sound relaxed. That helps. It also helps me if I am just speaking to one person only.. I don't know about you, but that makes it easier on me to be more conversational. (((((more hugs)))))) you hang in there, too!!

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by golden_eve

((((((((((Seesaw))))))))) Seems you made the right decision about keeping your doggie. I would have passed on that job, too.

Good news is they're moving you forward in the one job --- hold onto the positives!! =) Though I can fully relate to your sentiments - I feel like interviewing is my full-time job too. DO be sure to take much needed breaks!!! You deserve it, even if it's for a few hours each afternoon. ((((More hugs)))) hang in there!!

@Scarlet -- thank you! (((((((Hugs)))))))) They have served as good practice -- I figured out something today that I did wrong in my last interview, so I'm learning....

and I can relate to your worries about interviewing from a different angle. MY PTSD sometimes gets triggered during interviews and I end up physically shaking. It's awful. I try deep breathing to relax and pause slightly before responding so that I can sound relaxed. That helps. It also helps me if I am just speaking to one person only.. I don't know about you, but that makes it easier on me to be more conversational. (((((more hugs)))))) you hang in there, too!!

Absolutely! I think it's so hard. Glad you're improving and hopefully it won't be too long until we both find something. I can understand how a stressful situation like that may trigger you.

I was actually just going to post my own thread about coping with job searching when I found yours! It's comforting to know there's other people in the same boat as me!

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by scarlett35

Absolutely! I think it's so hard. Glad you're improving and hopefully it won't be too long until we both find something. I can understand how a stressful situation like that may trigger you.

I was actually just going to post my own thread about coping with job searching when I found yours! It's comforting to know there's other people in the same boat as me!

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one either who is going through a long job search process. It seems like a lot of people don't understand why you would have 5 interviews for one position and why it would be a 4 week process.

I hope I'm nearing the light at the end of the tunnel. It's possible I could have an offer at the end of next week, I'm just hoping I don't lose my phone or my Internet before then. Or my electricity.

Seesaw

Originally Posted by scarlett35

Absolutely! I think it's so hard. Glad you're improving and hopefully it won't be too long until we both find something. I can understand how a stressful situation like that may trigger you.

I was actually just going to post my own thread about coping with job searching when I found yours! It's comforting to know there's other people in the same boat as me!

Glad it's comforting, and thanks again.

Seesaw, I hope you get the job offer!!!

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by seesaw

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one either who is going through a long job search process. It seems like a lot of people don't understand why you would have 5 interviews for one position and why it would be a 4 week process.

I hope I'm nearing the light at the end of the tunnel. It's possible I could have an offer at the end of next week, I'm just hoping I don't lose my phone or my Internet before then. Or my electricity.

Seesaw

Good luck! I have my fingers crossed for you

I finally had a good interview yesterday! It was with the owner of the company. I feel really good about this one, but given all the rejections, I am not putting all my hopes on it even though my gut is telling me this could work out well.

So, once again, I feel hopeful and positive. Yay! I am sure that could change within a day, but so it goes right?? The job search process. I think I should write a blog entry on this in my happiness blog.

[scarlett35]

Originally Posted by golden_eve

I finally had a good interview yesterday! It was with the owner of the company. I feel really good about this one, but given all the rejections, I am not putting all my hopes on it even though my gut is telling me this could work out well.

So, once again, I feel hopeful and positive. Yay! I am sure that could change within a day, but so it goes right?? The job search process. I think I should write a blog entry on this in my happiness blog.

Yay! Fingers crossed for you! I'm halfway through another application form they seem to take ages to fill out!