Your career is at a low point. You hate your job (or you have already quit), your self-esteem tanks as your job search lingers on, and rejections are piling up. Disappointment and frustration simmer just below the surface, but you must keep going.

You try to appear positive. You network with colleagues halfheartedly. You put on a show in job interviews, frequently leaving feeling defeated. You don’t have the energy to take care of yourself or reach out for help. You are just getting by.

I hate to break it to you, but prospective employers can likely see right through your facade. The question is this: how do you regain your strength and composure so you can secure a job with an awesome employer?

Here are a few steps for you to consider:

Check How You Are Coming Across with Someone You Trust

Hopefully, you have an Aunt Pearl or a best buddy who knows you well. 

Take an Accountable Perspective

There’s a good chance you have been mistreated. As a career coach, I’ve heard every scenario. Your previous boss kept you trapped because you filled a key need. Your job was eliminated or replaced after you gave everything to a job you loved. This list is endless. Your resentment boils, but you don’t know what to do about it.

The solution lies in radical accountability. Today, you start fresh. You choose your future and create opportunities. What happened in the past no longer controls or defines you. Take a pair of imaginary scissors and cut the energy from your past. You may need to use the scissors repeatedly to regain your sovereignty.

Re-Construct Your Forward Strategy

Every aspect of your job search was likely infected by your resentments and frustrations. Start with your employment target. Determine your industry and job focus. Then go back and edit your resume and LinkedIn profile. Prepare for your interviews, ready to attract multiple offers. Rebuild every aspect of your search and notice how doors start to open.



Career transitions can be brutal. I decided to write this today because too many of my clients feel broken. They blame themselves for their job search failures without realizing the deeper issues that are holding them back. If this reaches you today at the right time, please let me know or share it with someone else who is struggling.