How to Stay Motivated during a Grueling Job Hunt

Marisa Tania
Sep 9, 2018 · 2 min read

Day 25: 95 Job Applications, 8 Interview Invitations

When you don’t have a job, your full-time job is to look for a job. Sending out resumes is a tedious, menial job, yet your life depends on it. You have to keep repeating the job boards-searching, cover letter-writing, resume-tailoring, and application-sending process.

Personally, doing phone interviews and “working” on my laptop in my room is often depressing. It’s even more depressing when I don’t hear anything back. I have to set a daily schedule and goals that works to my benefit so I won’t be binge-watching TV shows and napping all day.

Here’s how I go through the job-search fatigue:

  1. Step away from the computer

Go out! Set a coffee date, network, attend industry events, work with a coach. I went to the career development department to help develop new, more dynamic job search techniques. I also attend a weekly training program to improve my skill set.

Taking a break from the job hunt is also important to stay sane (for real).

I make sure to walk my dog, workout five days per week, and hang out with my friends every weekend.

2. Lean into your mentors, family, friends, and faith

I am thankful for the supportive and insightful replies to my previous post about graduating as an international student. My Program Director, Stephan Rabimov, mentioned a good point:

“It’s not the quantity — it’s the quality. Are you spending 3–5 hours preparing for each application? Are you qualified or overqualified for a job? Let’s figure out what’s not working and pivot.”

3. Identify the problem

The past month, I’ve been updating my resume and cover letter multiple times. One new thing that I learned is using keyword research to optimize my resume with free apps like Jobscan.

Ninety percent of large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filtering out candidates using keywords.

I need to make sure my resume contains the essential keywords that the particular job’s applicant tracking system is searching for to get past the resume robot. I also insert those keywords in my cover letter to double my chances.

4. Don’t stop

I began to receive invitations to interview. However, this doesn’t mean that I should stop applying for other jobs. Two of my interviews last week fell into the gutter once the employers told me that they are only hiring a U.S. citizen or a green card holder.

One thing to remember is rejection doesn’t mean you are unqualified. It also doesn’t mean you should stop.

I am going to keep figuring out what’s working and what’s not, continue applying, and stay positive (maybe with an occasional breakdown, but that’s okay). Cheers!

Marisa Tania

Written by

I am a recent college graduate from Indonesia looking to land a job in San Francisco. www.marisatania.com

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