Job search can be exhausting. Disappointment is inherent in the process – it is part of the beast. Even for people who are in jobs with their eyes on a promotion, disappointment can come when things don’t pan out. It is a basic human need to be wanted, to be accepted and to be appreciated. When an opportunity falls through it pains people to the core. I liken it to a “sock in the gut”. It momentarily immobilizes you, requiring you to dig deep down to muster the strength and courage to keep moving forward. Because resilience requires inner strength, it is important for specifically job seekers to approach job search from a strong and healthy state. When someone has been in a job that has worn them down, they may need time to heal and regain their strength because they will need to draw from that strength to weather the disappointments along the way.
Especially in times of desperation either when a job search has gone on too long or when someone feels trapped in a unsatisfying job they come to believe that only one dream job exists. But the fact of the matter is that there are many jobs that can be dream jobs. People just need to assess and understand what the key characteristics are that make up that dream job. Also recognize that there is a combination of planning, preparedness, vigilance, and timing that all need to come together to find that dream job. It is important to note that we control only three of the four of those things. When a “perfect” job falls through ask yourself were you open and ready for the opportunity? Were you paying attention to cues that could lead to the opportunity or that indicated that perhaps it isn’t the perfect dream job? Lastly appreciating the power of things beyond our control and trusting that the dream job will come when it is supposed to come. There will be many rejections and disappointments along the way. It is a part of the human experience. But also will come opportunity. Be watchful, be ready, it could come at any time, just sometimes in its own time.
