Have you ever felt like fully giving up on a job search? 

A while ago, I realized I was ready for a new and different challenge and started applying for new roles. At first I tracked applications, kept super organized, and did my best to be an A-student at being productive applying for jobs and prepping for interviews. But for some reason, it wasn't working. I was doing everything I was told to do, but I was bombing epically and my self esteem took a massive plunge alongside the ghosting, power imbalances with potential employers, and sheer energy thrown into a void.

I've worked with so many clients who sign up to work together because they're on the cusp - or in the midst - of career transition. They're embarking on applying for jobs or they've been applying for a while, but they know that what they've been doing isn't working. 

They tend to ask for concrete solutions to what feel like concrete challenges, but the truth is, if you want a different job transition experience, you need to take a totally different approach. That means going directly against everything you've been told about job seeking.

Before sharing these completely counterintuitive approaches to combatting job search fatigue, I want you to know that you are not alone. 

If you're feeling depleted, frustrated, or just plain over-it with this process, know that it doesn't have to be this way. 

In an ideal world, employers would have a totally different process that would feel equal, leave applicants feeling valued and respected, and would communicate brilliantly - and I hope we do get there...

but in the short term, here are 3 surprising solutions to your job search fatigue:

 1. Stop applying. 

I had a client who was really resistant to dropping the cold applications. We negotiated a 50/50 split of networking and cold applications, but the networking felt like it went against everything she knew about what it looks like to apply to jobs and it felt so hard to shift priorities. One day, she had a call with a friend of a friend who offered to share insights the company where she works. Within 2 weeks, that contact put my client's name forward for a role and she is now deep into the application process with a likely offer coming her way.

"Momentum" is the word that keeps coming up for her, and now she's focused on meeting the right people over chasing down existing job openings. 

With all of that said, scroll down for a long list of amazing job openings at a range of organizations. If you see one that lights you up and is a good fit with your experience, DO apply cold! But simultaneously, check if you know anyone who works there or if you know anyone who knows anyone who works there via Linkedin and see if they can also introduce you to someone within the organization. :-)

2. Create space for pleasure.

"Hmm ok..." one of my clients replied with hesitation when I shared a request to make music every day this week. It seemed like a strange focus to give a client who came to me feeling dissatisfied with work and curious about a career change. But over time, she rediscovered many pleasures in life - both within work and beyond. She also started to trust that she deserved to feel good and be treated well, which led her to have difficult conversations with her boss and teammates that fundamentally shifted her experience of her job and helped her decide to stick around.

Focusing on pleasure might seem indulgent or strange in the context of career transition, but it's perhaps the most important antidote to the emotional drain of a big transition. By focusing on treating yourself to what feels good (and I'm not just talking about faffing about), but really LIFE-AFFIRMING activities, you also retrain your brain and being that you deserve to feel good simply for existing. This will serve you in so many ways, but especially when you know an element of your day-to-day life feels like an energy drain. 

Refill your cup and choose one gift for yourself, whether that means making music, taking walks, hanging out with plants, being in community with those you love, or spending time doing something totally you. 

3. Stay on your throne.

I'm not big on absolute power, but I do know that you know your sh*t. You might not always feel like it, but by sharing what you know and LOVE to talk about with others, you prevent the spiral of self-doubt from taking over.  

One of my clients was struggling to get clear on her next career move when we started working together. By focusing on what she was brilliant at and loved doing (research) and the people she was most curious about (women over 40), she started an incredible research project that led to new friendships, connections, and speaking opportunities that helped her to see herself as a powerful, people-focused leader through one of hardest times to stay positive for most people.

ICYMI: Download the guide ($165 value) - How to Network So it Doesn't Suck includes a step-by-step process for how to create your own thought leadership project that feels amazing for you and will help you masterfully grow meaningful relationships doing what you love. This is the EXACT process I use with many clients and I'm offering the guide for free to this community. 

The next Purpose Career Lab cohort starts September 21st! Learn more grab your spot here:

https://www.juliafirestonecoaching.com/purposecareerlab

Image by Phoebe Montague-Warr, Soulfocus Media.