How to Stay Motivated during a Grueling Job Hunt
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:
- 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!
