A love letter to job seekers
Dear Job Seeker,
First and foremost, I see you. I know they don’t, and I know that it’s painful and hard to wake up every day digging to the bottom of the barrel for the energy you have left in the hope that today will be different. Hoping that today will have traction and that you’ll get phone calls and land interviews and job offers. And I know the days that those things actually happen are rare, and that it can be hard to have hope at all.
In the midst of these challenging times, I want to acknowledge the resilience and strength that resides within you. The journey you are on is no easy one, and I recognize the myriad challenges you face as you navigate the turbulent job market. You are constantly flooded with crappy, vague job postings listing lousy pay, and told by self-righteous recruiters that you are not doing enough to stand out in your applications. You are solicited endlessly for paid coaching and resume services and given contradictory feedback on your resume and LinkedIn profile daily.
Society's expectations of job seekers have become increasingly unrealistic. The pressure to go above and beyond on every application, spending hours crafting the perfect submission for a single company, can be demoralizing—especially when met with a template rejection letter or worse, radio silence. The emphasis on quality, and the quantity necessary to make progress these days, often results in burnout, leaving many feeling defeated before they even start. It's crucial to find a balance between putting your best foot forward and preserving your mental and emotional well-being.
The toll on mental health during the job search is one that often goes unmentioned. The constant cycle of hope, disappointment, and the relentless and fruitless pursuit of opportunities can be emotionally draining and, quite frankly, devastating. Because capitalism ties our wealth to our productivity and output, we inherently associate our own personal value accordingly. So if nobody wants to hire us, we assume we must be worthless and unwanted. I’m here to remind you that this is not true. The uncertainty of when the next paycheck will come, coupled with the absence of health benefits, creates a perfect storm that can wreak havoc on one's well-being. It's crucial to remember that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and to seek support when needed. Mental health is as vital as physical health, and reaching out to friends, family, or professionals can make a significant difference. My inbox is full of messages from folks every day asking for help, and while I can’t help every single one of them, I am happy to be a cheerleader and provide friendly encouragement to as many people as I can who need it. Job searching is a thankless, soul-crushing process, and we have to support each other when we’re down because we all win and do better when each of us wins.
The financial stress that accompanies unemployment can also cast a long shadow, making every day a balancing act. Managing your life on little to no money is a feat that requires not only financial acumen but also emotional resilience. The pressure to make ends meet while maintaining a semblance of normalcy can be disheartening. It’s important to remember that your worth is not determined by your bank account balance, and your journey is valid, no matter how rocky the road may seem.
In this love letter to you, dear job seeker, I want you to know that your journey is seen and acknowledged. Your struggles are valid, and your efforts are not in vain. It's okay to take breaks, seek support, and recognize that your worth extends beyond your professional achievements. You are not alone in this journey, and there is a community that stands with you, supporting you through the storm.
May your resilience shine brighter than the challenges you face, and may the right opportunity find its way to you soon.
With empathy and solidarity,
A luckily employed individual who has experienced 4 layoffs in her career to date