I’m not going to lie to you: A job search is hard work. It can seem to stretch on and on, especially when the reason you’re looking is beyond your control. I mean, there’s a reason we call them “comfort zones”: they’re comfortable! And now you’re in a very uncomfortable job search—one that seems to have lasted months. It can lead you to question everything and become frustrated.
Whether your job search has truly been ongoing for months or it just feels like it has, I’ve discovered that even the most dedicated searchers need a break. I discussed that in a previous blog, and time off from a search is often warranted. Coming back to it is where you have an opportunity. A job-search reset may be just what you need to reenergize and get excited about your job search again.
I’ve seen this happen with my clients who’ve been looking for three months or more, and some time away, paired with a strategic reset, has often steered them back to where they needed to be, heading straight toward the light at the end of the tunnel. And no, it’s almost never a train; it’s an increase in activity, including interviews, meetings, and offers.
Why a Job-Search Reset Matters
While the standard timeline for finding a new role currently stands at around three to six months, it gets longer when you’re looking for an executive role or something in an industry with limited opportunities. Some job seekers can be in a search for six months to a year, which is stressful, to say the least.
Let’s assume for a moment that you have the resources to sustain a longer search. That’s one concern sorted, but financial concerns aren’t the only thing that can wreak havoc with mindset during a long job search. After a while, even the most organized and strategic job seekers can feel as if they’re on a hamster wheel doing the same thing day after day.
At some point—whether that’s two months in or six—it’s time to step back and reassess. That doesn’t mean that you’ve been doing anything wrong or that you missed anything. Instead, the goal of a job-search reset is to review your strategy and start over.
Recently, I took a break from the gym for a reset. It was challenging and invigorating (and a welcome rest). The following week, I went back just as strong—if not stronger. That’s what time off does: It allows you to refocus and advance your efforts.
Start from the Beginning
The whole idea of a job-search reset is to start over—except that now you’ll know more.
After a little time off, you’ll have a different perspective from all you’ve learned during the last few months of your job search. Starting again, you’ll want to review everything in your arsenal to ensure it’s still focused in the direction you want to go. That includes:
Your resume:
- Are you clear about how you add value?
- Do you incorporate key skills and keywords that align with your direction?
- Does your resume tell the story of your career progression?
- Do you include compelling accomplishments that share how you’ve added value?
Your LinkedIn profile:
- Are your images inviting and do they quickly connote your professional brand?
- Is your headline telling a story of who you are, how you help, and what makes you different?
- Does your about section repeat the story of your headline, albeit with more details?
- Have you filled out your experience section to complement your resume, including adding skills and accomplishments?
Your outreach strategy:
- Have you checked in with former colleagues and friends in the last month to provide an update?
- Are you scheduling at least one informational networking meeting each week?
- Are you posting regularly on LinkedIn to engage with your network?
- Have you incorporated in-person networking into your online approaches?
A clear head and a different lens will help you see if you need to make any adjustments here. Often, I find that job seekers in longer searches get frustrated at some point and stop doing some of the things they’d done at the beginning. Your job-search reset allows you to see those gaps and address them.
A Reset Leads to Stronger Momentum
I recently had a client who was frustrated with his search. He was so frustrated, in fact, that he walked away. Instead of applying and networking, he opted to spend a month with his family.
After that month off, he was refreshed, but he naturally hadn’t made any movement in his search. He needed a reset.
We got together and reviewed all the things that I suggest doing in a proactive job search. He started by reaching out to his network. Within a week, a past colleague had shared an opportunity with him. He applied and got called for an interview.
While he’s currently in the middle of the interview process, the time off, followed by a reset, increased his momentum. He didn’t have any regrets about taking the time off (nor should you), and that break positioned him for stronger momentum. He’s now pursuing opportunities with a gusto he previously lacked. Simply put, he was burned out.
Lean into Strategy
If you know me, you know I don’t give busy work; I provide proven strategies that work. I’ve used them personally, as have many of my clients. I’m not at all suggesting that you incorporate a reset as a way to tick boxes off an imaginary checklist. But if you’ve stalled in your search, and you are frustrated and not getting anywhere, a job-search reset may be part of your overall strategy.
When you step away and restart, you give yourself space to ask important questions:
- Do I want this kind of job?
- Should I be looking in different directions?
- Am I still looking strategically, or have I simply been going through the motions?
- Do I need a “gap filler” in case I don’t land something within a certain time frame?
Knowing the answers to these questions can help you move forward with confidence. And yes, it’s okay to change direction or take a job that’s not something you envision yourself staying at for years to come. Sometimes, you need to do what’s right for you right now. And you don’t need to feel guilty about it either.
Stepping away and resetting your search can help you see everything anew and provide the clarity you need to succeed.
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I don’t give busy work; I deliver proven strategies. As Your Career Advocate, I guide and support job seekers from initial application through salary negotiation. Whether you’re actively searching or simply managing your career for the future, I’d love to help. Learn more about my services. And if you’re a company that needs an outplacement partner, check out Transition Solutions.