How to Deal with Job Search Frustration

You know it well: looking for a job can be frustrating. From not finding the right job for you, to not hearing back or being rejected, countless things can give you a heartbreak.?

But remember: in this process, there are things you can influence, things you can control, and things you can do nothing about. Focus on the first two.?

Let’s see 7 possible scenarios, why they happen, and what you can do to deal with them in the best way possible.

1. Reading countless job offers and not finding anything that suits you

How it feels: boring. It’s mind-numbing to read so many job ads that don't say anything and at the same time say so many things –but everything is about them.?

Why it happens: because companies ask candidates to be superheroes and to have all the skills in the world, so after reading the job ad, you don’t really understand what the job is exactly about. Are you a potential candidate or not? It’s confusing.

In an ideal world, you would find a job that suits you very easily, but that’s usually not the case. Finding a new job that fits your life isn’t easy at all. It can get so tiresome, that you may not want to start the process.?

What to do about it: network . Sixty percent of the roles never get posted. That's why networking is so important. Also, research companies well. Take baby steps and start with the easy things, get some traction and then keep adding more things. Gain momentum, enjoy the process and get into it. You can start by asking people you know and respect about their companies, how they got their job, etc.? Don't rely solely on job ads to look for a job.

2. Applying to many job offers and not hearing anything back

How it feels: frustrating. You doubt yourself and lose motivation.?

Why it happens: because you feel overwhelmed and afraid you won’t be able to get the job you want, you don’t prepare well. You start to become attracted to jobs that are not a good fit for you, so you apply to anything you can find. In other words, you lose track of what you want, get lost and start considering the wrong options. You enter a vicious circle that makes you go backwards.?

What to do about it: first of all, understand what is going on. Why don’t they call you? Is your CV well written? Do you have the experience they are asking for? Are you applying for jobs in other countries? Analyze the situation, and then share your findings with someone else for feedback. Who can you ask for feedback? People who are references for you, and Pitcheers connectors .

3. Feeling you applied to several roles, when in reality you applied to just a few

How it feels: overwhelming and confusing.

Why it happens: reading numerous job ads can give you the feeling that you applied to many of them, when in reality, you applied to just a few. If you don’t keep track of your applications, it can be difficult to know for sure how many jobs you actually applied for.

What to do about it:? keep track of your applications on a spreadsheet and calculate your success rate. In this video I explain how to calculate your success rate, but basically, count the number of jobs you applied for and the number of interviews you got invited to. If, for example, you got one invitation every ten applications, you know that to get an invitation, you need to apply to at least 10 jobs.?

4. Getting rejected with sterile emails

How it feels: very frustrating. You didn't even have a chance to tell them who you are and how you can help them. If you already had an interview, even worse, because they tell you that you didn’t pass, but they don't tell you why not. And what's even worse is that sometimes they even tell you to apply again in the future.?

Why it happens: this is something that you can't control. However, there is something you can do.?

What to do about it: ask for feedback. How? Send them an email giving them feedback yourself. Tell them:

• how you saw yourself in the interview
• what? you explained well
• what you didn’t explain well
• where you think you can help them
• where you will have to learn things to be able to add value?

With an email like this, you give the other person tools to give you feedback.?

5. Not passing an interview

How it feels: there are times when you know you are not the right person for the role, and that’s not a problem. But when you think you are the right person, the ghosts of frustration and doubts about your capabilities appear again.?

Why it happens: lack of communication. Not having a transparent interview process leads to a lack of fluidity and communication.

What to do about it: talk to them and ask them for feedback. Remember that to receive feedback, first you have to give feedback yourself. Be prepared to receive it with an open mind. It is very important to be self-critical and objective about the situation.?

6. Thinking you got the job but don’t hear back?

How it feels: shocking, disappointing, uncertain, sad. You put a lot of effort in the whole process, and not getting an answer is worse than being told no.

Why it happens: this is something else that is out of your control. There may have been a misunderstanding or a mistake, but the truth is that you don’t know how they handle the process.

What to do about it: follow up. Now, if after following up,? you don't get a response, it's better to go on your way. The best thing to do is put your energy into other searches.

7. Thinking you got the job but got rejected

How it feels: disappointing, uncertain.

Why it happens: there can be multiple factors:

• There is someone better for the job.
• There is someone who asks for fewer requirements.
• They offer the job to an employee of the company who, of course,? already knows the company and was also going through the interview process at the same time.?
• Maybe they put the role on hold.?
• Maybe they changed the role.?

What to do about it: first, don’t panic; not getting a job offer does not mean you are not good at what you do. Second, understand what happened and evaluate if you can do anything about it. Third, move on. Learn from the situation and continue applying for jobs.

Takeaways:

• Focus on what you can influence and control, and let go of those things you can do nothing about.?
• Keep track of your applications.
• If you don’t hear back after an interview, don’t be afraid to ask the company for feedback. Remember that to get feedback, first you need to give feedback yourself, so take the initiative.?
• Remember that getting rejected does not mean you are not good at what you do; there are several reasons why this may happen.
• Prepare well, always.

Looking for a job can be frustrating. Talk to people you trust, ask for help. If you are ready to take the first step now, talk to one of our connectors ; they are there to listen to you and help you navigate the job-seeking process. You don’t have to go through this alone.?