Coached by Vanity Part 3: Discover the Secret to Landing the Perfect Job in a Challenging Market

With August here, I’m in reflection mode as I mark four years of ShiftED. Truth be told, it wasn’t until last fall that I decided to run my business full-time. I was scared to give up what I thought was the security and certainty that a full-time salaried position provides, but widespread layoffs in 2023 pushed me to see things differently. 

The stability that full-time salaried jobs provide is an illusion, especially for women of color. We’re not guaranteed the safety of a bi-weekly paycheck with benefits when capitalism dictates that company profit margins are more important than the people doing the work. It’s a reality that ultimately has freed me to do the work I’m doing now with ShiftED, and live in deeper alignment with my values and passions. 

But what do you do if you’re not quite ready to start your own business yet (or you do have a business that is not yet ready to sustain you) and are having a tough time landing your next role? 

If you have been in this job market at any point over the last year or so, you know just how challenging it is to land the right role. While the job market may look differently than what it did the last time you were outside, it’s still fully possible to land a role that meets your needs, and has an equitable and inclusive working culture. 

In part three of our Coached by Vanity series, we hear from another client who’s at their wits end with applying to jobs, and I provide her with some much needed encouragement and strategy to get the break she’s looking for:

Dear Vanity,

I was laid off from my job almost a year ago and have had little luck in the job search since then. Admittedly, I took a little time off after the layoff because it took such a toll on my mental and emotional health, but it’s been seven months, and I haven’t received one offer. 

I’ve gotten feedback on and improved my resume. I spend hours each day tailoring my resumes and cover letters to the position I’m applying for. I’ve reached out to contacts who work at the companies I’m applying to for referrals and coffee chats. I use the STAR method in the interviews I do get. I send thank-you emails, too. 

And none of it has worked. 

What could I be doing differently? I’m grateful to have received a severance from my last role, but the financial stress is building if I don’t land something soon. Help!

-Hire Me

Hey Hire Me,

I am so sorry to hear about your layoff and the challenges you’ve been having on the job market since then. I’ve been in your shoes before, so I fully empathize with the experience you’re having now. 

Job loss can be a life-altering event, so I’m glad you took a little time off to take care of yourself. Don’t beat yourself up for that or regret doing what was best for you. 

Heads up: the advice I’m about to share with you may feel counterintuitive at first, but if you hear me out, it may be the shift you’ve been looking for. 

Only Apply to Roles You Actually Want

You check all of the boxes in doing everything that a successful job search should include, so this isn’t a question of what you’re doing wrong, or a question of your work ethic. I know that many professionals believe that the only way to land a job is by applying to 10 or more roles a day. To each their own, but in your case, I get the feeling that you could do more with less. 

By applying to every job available, you cast a wide net, but on opportunities that may not be fully aligned with your values. One method I encourage some clients to use is to bookmark and compile every job posting you come across that gets your attention in any way. Then a day or two later, review those job descriptions more carefully, research the companies and teams you’d be applying to, and then determine if you want to move forward with your application. 

Doing your due diligence this early on in your hiring journey will save you the hurt and harm that women of color encounter when we enter into workspaces that were not designed for us. Again, while I take your financial stress seriously, you will save yourself from toxic working environments by only searching for roles that you truly want to be in. This approach might also bring back more excitement into your search, as you come across opportunities that you could see yourself in. 

Get Clearer on Your Values & Passions, and Take the Time to Explore Them Now

I know it feels like you have to devote every waking minute to looking for a job when you’re unemployed, but I encourage you to still prioritize your rest and enjoyment. This will also allow you to show up lighter and clearer in interviews, and make your search rooted in passion instead of desperation. 

If there are hobbies or interests you have that are related to your career, this would be an ideal time to pursue them and share them with your network. Do you write, create art, or have an opinion about your field of work? Pursuing this will not only keep your mind off the stress of a job search, but could also potentially help you upskill, stand out in this competitive market, or attract potential opportunities. 

Trust & Prioritize Self-Care 

Believe that you can and will land another role soon. The job search can be an ultimate test of our faith and resilience. At the end of the day, the best that you can do is your best, and leave the rest up to the universe to sort out. 

Support yourself with positive affirmations, meditations, breath work, or other grounding practices that help to keep you centered and at peace. White Supremacy Culture makes us feel undeserving of rest, peace, or anything good unless we’ve broken ourselves down to get it – but this simply isn’t true. 

Not having a job does not mean you aren’t deserving of care. If anything, it’s the moment to ramp up your self-care practices (in a way that is practical and feasible for you), so that you show up for yourself in a better way for the rest of your journey. 

Like I told you earlier, these strategies may sound counterintuitive, but by resisting the need to work ourselves to death just to get a job, you will show up for your next opportunity without the burnout that this process can bring. I’m here to support you in any tangible way that I can. Hang in there– you’ve got this!