When Job Searching Feels Like a Void

You put yourself out there time and time again – CV polished, cover letter rewritten, intentions clear — and then… silence

No yes.

No no. Just that familiar professional tumbleweed.

And in that quiet space, self-doubt can get loud.

The feedback no one talks about

In recent coaching conversations, we’ve been exploring the difference between quantitative feedback (How many applications? Did I get an interview? How many times was I ghosted?) and qualitative feedback (What did I learn from that experience? How comfortable did I feel? Is there something I can take forward to boost my learning, confidence, or how I present myself?).

The longer the search goes on, the more we can start to operate on autopilot.
We hit “quick apply.”
We send another CV without thinking.
We start applying for roles that don’t really fit – just to feel like we’re doing something.

And slowly, we forget what we’re looking for and why we started looking in the first place (other than the obvious: needing a job).

What if your gut knows more than the algorithm?

So often, we miss our own internal feedback.
Maybe there was a gut instinct after an interview… that the role wasn’t quite right.
Or a hesitation before applying…that niggle that the company doesn’t quite feel like a match.

But we override it. Because we want the job. Or a job.

And especially if you’re making a career change, you’ve already made an investment – not just financially, but in your energy, time, learning, and capacity. You’ve up-skilled, connected, explored new industries, and developed both your old and new strengths.

And now you’re tired. You might feel like giving up. Or that nothing’s shifting, even though you’ve given it your all.

You’ve been running on high energy for a while. And when that dips, so can your sense of direction.
That’s why this career transition deserves reflection, intention, and space.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, lost, or disheartened.
But that’s why it’s crucial to digest the feedback you do get and filter it through your lens.
Through the voice of your inner mentor. The part of you that was excited about this change.

Filtering feedback and discerning what’s useful is a skill. One worth building.

The Power of Qualitative Action

Not all actions are created equal.

Some help us tick boxes.
Some make us feel busy.
Others give us the insight we need to grow.

Qualitative action is slower – but it brings rich data that moves you forward.

That might look like:

Reaching out to someone in a role that excites you, to understand the realities of the industry
Researching organisations that reflect your values and the culture you’re seeking
Asking yourself: Is this giving me insight into what I want next, or just keeping me occupied?

And if your gut says, I don’t want this, that’s valuable too. Exploring other industries, paths, or roles, even if you’re unsure, is action. And the kind of action that can lead to real clarity.

A tool for filtering feedback: The 3Rs

Here’s something I use often in coaching:
A framework called the 3Rs – process feedback and take from it what’s genuinely useful. Ask yourself

🔁 Reframe – What’s this really about?

What does this feedback tell me about the context or the person giving it?
What insights can I take without attaching meaning to me?
What does this reflect about the giver’s preferences, priorities, or style?

🔍 Relevance – Does this actually matter to me?

Is it critical, relevant, and essential to achieving my goals? ( you want to detach from your emotions on this one and ask it with a pracgtical mindset)
If yes: how can I incorporate it?
If no: let it go.

🛠 Revise – What do I want to shift, if anything?

How can I adapt to be more effective in this context?
What does this teach me about how I come across?
Is this changing my direction or just sharpening it?

What this could look like in action:

Feedback example:
You apply for a job you really wanted, and hear nothing.
You follow up – they say they received too many applications.

Reframe
That organisation was probably inundated and didn’t have capacity to reply meaningfully.
That tells me something about their pace and culture – do I want that?

Relevance
This feedback doesn’t offer insight into me. It’s not personal or actionable. It’s useful to let it go on this occasion.

Revise
There’s not much to revise from this alone. But it has clarified that responsiveness is a value of mine.
Next time, I’ll pay closer attention to how companies communicate because I’ve identified it matters a lot to me.

Strength in the stillness

If you’re in the quiet stretch right now – know this:

Learning to give yourself feedback is part of the process.

This is something I often work on with clients. We build the muscle of self-reflection, learn to recognise what’s actually useful, and figure out what keeps us moving without burning out.

✨ Notice what lights you up. (Maybe it’s the company culture, or the impact of the organisation.)
✨ Listen to those niggles. That’s your body telling you something.
✨ Stop and ask: What helps me keep going? And then do that.

You can’t take qualitative action when you’re running on empty. (And let’s be honest – you’ve probably tried.)

And if you need to take a step back, find inspiration, or explore beyond the job boards — that’s all a crucial part of your job search.

It’s you strengthening and strategically reshaping your job search. A part of the job search that is natural but again, not often discussed.

🎧 Listen to these audio clips you can listen to for a nudge of encouragement.

💌 And if you’d like space to talk it through, you’re always welcome to book a chat with me here.