How to Keep Moving Forward in a Long Job Search
How to Keep Moving Forward in a Long Job Search
Blog Article
I still remember the smell of my coffee that morning. It was a rainy Thursday. I sat in the same spot on the couch where I had sent my hundredth job application just the day before. My inbox had no new replies, except one gentle “We regret to inform you…” that I had grown too used to. I stared at the blinking cursor on my screen, wondering if I was even moving forward at all.
That job search phase lasted longer than I had expected. Weeks turned into months. I thought I’d share a little bit of that journey, not to give solutions, but because if you’re going through something similar, maybe it helps to know you’re not alone. And maybe the little things I did along the way could be of use.
1. Create a Little Routine, Not a Rigid One
Waking up without a plan can make the day feel heavy. But waking up with a strict list of things to do can feel even worse, especially when you're already feeling low. What helped me was creating a loose routine, not a strict timetable, but a flow.
I'd wake up, have my coffee, go for a short walk even if it was just to the balcony, and then sit down to apply for two or three jobs before lunch. That’s it. Just the right amount to not feel stuck. No pressure to finish ten applications in a day. No guilt.
Some days I didn’t stick to it. But having that soft routine in the back of my mind gave my day shape.
2. Celebrate the Small Stuff
There was one day I got a reply that just said, “We’ll keep your resume on file.” Normally I’d ignore it. But that day, I made a cup of tea, put on some music, and said, “Well, that’s something.” It felt silly, but oddly good.
In a long job search, good news doesn’t always come with confetti. So you have to make your own. Applied to a role you were nervous about? Celebrate. Updated your resume? Nice. Reached out to someone on LinkedIn? Big win.
You’ll feel like these don’t matter. But they do. They stack up.
3. Talk About Other Things Sometimes
Every time I called a friend or family member during that time, the first thing they’d ask was, “Any updates on the job search?” They meant well, but I started to dread it. So I began steering the conversations toward other things.
We talked about books, shows, the weird neighbor next door, anything but resumes and interviews.
Sometimes you need to take a break from talking about the very thing you’re working so hard on. Let your mind breathe. You’re more than someone searching for a job. You’re a full human being.
4. Try a Side Project Just for Fun
At one point, I picked up a half-written short story from years ago and started adding a line or two every morning. It wasn’t for anyone else. Just me.
That story never became a masterpiece. But it gave me something that didn’t depend on someone else's reply or approval. It reminded me I still had creativity, that I could still build something even if it was small.
Whether it’s cooking something new, painting a wall, learning to play a song, doing something that isn’t job-related can give your brain a breather and your heart a bit of joy.
5. Accept Rejection Gracefully
I used to reread rejection emails like they held some secret message about my worth. But over time, I realized that a “no” wasn’t always personal. Sometimes roles get closed early. Sometimes they find someone internally. Sometimes, things just don’t go your way.
Learning to see a rejection as just part of the process, not as a judgment, helped more than I expected. You won’t get used to it overnight, but slowly, it stings a little less.
I’d tell myself, “Maybe this wasn’t the door. But I knocked. That’s enough for today.”
6. Rest is Not the Same as Giving Up
There was a Tuesday when I didn’t apply to any jobs. I didn’t open my email. I just watched three movies in a row and stayed under a blanket. At the end of the day, I felt like I had failed.
But the next morning, something was different, I felt lighter.
Resting isn’t quitting. You need energy to keep going. And sometimes, stopping for a bit helps you restart stronger. Don’t feel bad about taking a day, or even a few, to pause.
You’re still in the race. You’re just tying your shoelaces.
7. Remind Yourself Why You Started
Some days, I’d go back to the notes I had written when I first began my job search. They had energy and hope in them. Reading them again reminded me why I was doing this in the first place.
What was your reason? Was it a dream company, a shift in career, or just needing something that feels right? Reconnecting with your "why" can help you move when you're stuck.
It doesn’t fix everything, but it gently pushes you forward again.
Eventually, I did find a job. Not the one I originally imagined. But it turned out to be the one I needed. Looking back, the most surprising thing is how much I grew during that long pause between jobs. Not in my skills, but in patience, understanding, and kindness toward myself.
If you're still in the thick of it, I won’t say “just hang in there” or “something good is coming.” I’ll just say this: You’re doing better than you think. Taking things one day at a time is completely fine. Even if no one notices your efforts, they’re still real and they count.
The job will come.
But till then, take care of yourself too. Report this page