I was told once, “There will be the ones, who will give up the race, allowing you, who stays in the race, a chance!”

I was unemployed for 6 months due to the pandemic, and searching for a job is a full time job. It took me 3 months into the process to become full out burnt out! Take time for you, and even if it's a mental, emotional and financial burden, realize that you won't be in this situation forever and fine some time for you. That 1 day break a week from consistently scrolling LinkedIn, checking your email for responses, and updating your resume will do wonders to you! Spend extra time, safely, with those that you love and binge on a couple shows. It's ok to take a break to gain the confidence and feel better about yourself to continue the job search.

Thank you for bringing up this topic and for the suggestions. However, I wonder if, realistically speaking, it might not be possible for me to find another job. As a woman over 50 with a graduate degree, after failure at an academic career, and no interviews even after having my resume professionally written and LinkedIn redone, especially in this market it's possible that I might become one of those forced into involuntary retirement. In that case, once my unemployment is exhausted, I will be out of options.

As tough as it may be, followup with the recruiter contact and let them know how wonderful it is for them to have found the right person for the job. Let them know that if anything comes down the pipe that match your qualifications, to please keep you in mind. Also, mark your calendar to check in with them once a month. Be polite, it will go a lot further than self-doubt and jealousy.

Thank you for all the good advice. I was rejected by another job I interviewed for. Rejection is redirection!!!

I ask my clients to create a list of things they enjoy doing and to do one of those every day. This helps “ refill the well” and also gives them back some control. — Paula McLeod, Executive Coach

Thanks to everyone’s comments! I really needed this support, but it is tough. I made a change by leaving a very toxic job situation I had been in for years...took a contract role and was let go after 3 months...it was not the right fit. It was devastating, but I have done my best to shift, create my own opportunities where I can, but I have been in the market looking for 13 months...I am a great candidate, highly educated, hard working and have had no offers. I keep hearing about other people finding new jobs and one person I know went back to Corporate after 2 years of self employment and found a job after searching for 5 months with a $20k increase. I am trying to not doubt myself, but I am feeling deflated as the days go on...I am fighting depression and self doubt daily! I have moved away from spending hours on my search, but I struggle thinking am I doing enough...why am I not getting the results?

I have had to tell myself time and time again, it wasn't my job; I cannot control who hires me. Something bigger and better will come along. It's the truth!

I've been a runner up in many recent interviews. My email response to the effect of: It was nice to meet you. Thank you for the update. Congratulations and all the best to your new (job title). Please feel free to share my resume with colleagues, and to consider me for future consulting projects or positions. Hopefully it will open the door to other opportunities.

The best advice I can give is what I came to realize on my own: do not invest valuable time and energy on interpreting the responses or lack thereof from employers to your job applications and interviews. You may have a wonderful series of interviews, be called back multiple times, be asked to take tests and give references, be told to "expect an offer," and yet never receive one. And that could happen because the employer is being merged or acquired, is downsizing, or any number of reasons that the employer is not legally obligated to share with you. You can also be hired only to lose your job shortly after for any number of reasons, especially if you live in an employment-at-will jurisdiction. So do your best at each job interview. Be polite and professional. But then go on to the next job application. Each job interview or contact, 99% of the time, will be the last time you hear from the company. Move on without investing emotionally, regardless of how appealing the job or how impressed the interviewers. And even after starting a new job, don't stop your job search until you're sure that you, as the newest hiree, aren't about to become the newest firee.