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Rediscover confidence and career clarity after a layoff
How to break out of the shitty hamster wheel of job search hell
Emily’s head was throbbing, her eyes glazed over as she stared at the computer screen, doom scrolling through job boards job after job.
The frustration was like poison spreading through her veins and making her feel sick to her stomach.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice, her breaths coming in short, rapid gasps.
The stress of this pointless, stupid job search was overwhelming.
She was having a panic attack.
Emily lost her job 5 months ago.
She was under unbearable financial stress from not making any money.
She was angry at the sheer audacity of her company laying her off.
She wasted so much of her TIME and ENERGY dedicating her LIFE to this company.
Every time she thought about them, she felt bitter and angry.
She texted her coworkers who weren’t impacted, asking how things were going - hoping they’d talk about how awful it was.
Some afternoons, she’d feel so overwhelmed, that she’d lie down in bed, pull her blanket over her head, and fall asleep to drown out the suffocating thought of having to apply for more jobs.
Emily’s draining job-hunt vicious cycle
Hopped on LinkedIn
Browsed through job postings for a few days
Saved a few jobs that seem decent
Rarely had the motivation to apply because most jobs didn’t feel right
Each time she had to mould herself into someone else
Each application took forever and felt painful
After hitting submit, she felt a brief hope it might work out
A few days would go by
A few weeks would go by
After 6 weeks, she got an automated response…
Dear Emily,
Thank you for your application. After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that you have not been selected for this position.
…
Hitting close to home? There’s a better way…
What if I told you that you can start to feel more confident, motivated and excited about the job search by shifting the focus away from job boards and employers…
Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don't.
When you're starting your job search, don't hop on and browse through all the job boards.
When you do this, you put the focus on the employers.
THEIR needs.
THEIR qualifications.
What do YOU need?
Let's put YOU on the front burner.
5 steps to reset - and gain career clarity
STEP 1. Take a Break and Heal
When you’ve been job-searching for months and see no signs of progress, it’s essential to take some time to heal.
You may unknowingly be giving off anxious and desperate energy and undervalue yourself during interviews. This also makes you seem like a less desirable candidate.
STEP 2. Repeat Positive Affirmations Daily
Write down these positive affirmations and tape them on your bathroom mirror to read every morning:
The right employer would be lucky to have me on their team.
I am confident in my abilities and I am worthy of landing a job that is rewarding and fulfilling.
STEP 3. Unplug and Get Cozy
Make yourself some tea or a cup of coffee. Find a nice comfy couch or sit at your favourite café. Turn off your phone completely. Pick up a notepad and a pen. Unplug and let your mind wander distraction-free with the questions below.
STEP 4. Ask Yourself These 13 Questions
What exactly do YOU WANT from your career?
What are YOUR NEEDS from your employer?
What are YOUR DEALBREAKERS?
What types of work do YOU LOVE doing?
What tasks do YOU HATE doing?
What are you GOOD at?
What are you BAD at?
What are YOUR CORE VALUES?
What kinds of skills do you want to LEARN?
What TOPICS could you talk about for hours?
What 10 people INSPIRE you? Why?
What 10 companies would you LOVE to work for?
What is your ideal SALARY?
Write these answers down. This will serve as your personal standards manifesto.
Every time I do this exercise with my clients, it's as if the seas start to part for them.
They gain the CLARITY they need.
It seems counter-intuitive to do this.
It seems like refining your job search might limit how many opportunities you can apply for.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
What happens in reality?
You focus your energy in the right direction
You target the right opportunities
You get more motivated and energized by pursuing exciting opportunities
This energy and passion drive you to keep going
Employers can feel your passion, and excitement in your applications and particularly in your interview.
You can’t fake authenticity.
You owe it to yourself to take the leap and DESIGN the career that fits YOUR life…
Then relentlessly chase that.
You are worth it.
👋 I’m Izzy. Career Coach & Job Search Strategist | AKA "The Wizard of Iz" 🧙♂️
Here are 3 ways I can help you break out of the cycle:
Follow me on LinkedIn (and hit the 🔔) for daily motivation
Join the waitlist for our upcoming job search accelerator program
Book a discovery call for 1-on-1 coaching with me