How do you balance optimism and realism in your job search expectations?

It is key that you manage to remain optimistic/positive throughout your search, even when it's taking longer than expected, you have gotten rejections, etc. The recruiter / hiring manager can feel your mindset and it has an impact on their perception. In terms of assessing your situation also consider your seniority level - when you move "higher up" in terms of management, or if you work in a "niche" area there are typically fewer positions available. It helps to know what to expect and to adapt your expectations accordingly. Better to be positively surprised if things move faster than constantly disappointed! I'd also recommend you to connect with a local, specialized recruiter who can give you an overall market view for your field.

I think two key take-aways is know your field and location. If you want to be a Sales Development Rep for Software Company A, you have to live in the Dallas area. Well, if that's not you then it's time to move on to the next opportunity. But what if they don't exists? That's where planning comes in. You can either plan to move or plan to continue looking. Maybe you learned something about your strategy. Maybe you learned something about yourself. Exploring these thoughts and feelings will better prepare your for the job search.

Balancing optimism and realism in your job search is a nuanced process, and setting SMART goals becomes a central element to this equation. These Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals act as a compass in directing your path. My approach emphasises that goal setting forms the most crucial part of a job search strategy. Utilising the SMART goals method helps delineate the next step in our career but also assists in striking a balance between being optimistic and realistic. If you align essential job search tools such as a CV, Cover letter, and LinkedIn profile to serve these SMART objectives, creating a coherent and effective strategy ensures that our aspirations are grounded in reality.

Setting goals should take genuine thought and effort. If you come up with a goal without any purpose you have failed before you began. For instance, let's say I want to sell $1M worth of software over a 12 month period. That's just a number. But what if I tied it to something concrete. Let's say "to sell $1M worth of software over a 12 month period to improve people's work experience and deliver on the bottom line.

What I have learnt during the job search, is to have good mentors around you. People who are grounded, confident and are experienced in what they do can boost your morale and give you great pointers on new perspectives. I have been focused on working in Compliance - one mentor opened me up to the NGO and development sector. I look at a mentor as the part of you that reveals truths about your job search that you are afraid to face. Have you ever been told that you are the wrong age for a sector, or role? Well, my mentor did point this out, and I knew that she was right, and I had been thinking it, but totally ignoring it. That made me stop wasting more precious time knocking on the wrong doors and shifted my perspective.

I don't do this enough, especially in the depressing job market we have nowadays. There is a shortage for talent yet there are social media sites that have ten of thousands of people looking for a new career. I've had a couple of interviews and I always come out of them with a negative attitude. I need to just be happy I had the interview.

"If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, never the goal.". It's okay to feel discouraged when things don't work out the way you were hoping, but having a growth mindset is important to keep yourself moving forward. It means finding the positives and the wins within the obstacles, making it better, and elevating the strategy, while also exploring other options. Also, adjusting expectations doesn't mean lowering the bar, but allowing yourself to see the realistic outcomes against the scope and level of investment you are putting in.

The optimistic part could come in the following way: "As long as I keep listening to the right people, doing all the right things, and trusting myself, it's inevitable that I get a new job (even if it takes longer than I'd like). The realistic part could come as follows: "This job market might be the toughest job market of the past 15 years. That means the 'normal' strategies might not work as well. So, I must do more than normal. I must network, I must use LinkedIn to find hiring managers and recruiters so I can message them and engage with their content, I must follow up on my applications, I must tailor my CV for each role, I must practice my interview answers. I must go above and beyond what I'd normally do."