What Job Search Success Really Looks Like Right Now

How to measure progress when traditional success feels far away - or even impossible.

If you’re job searching right now, you’re likely finding that there aren’t exactly tons of jobs posted for you to choose from each week.

Instead, you’re seeing headlines about the worst job market since 2020 (or even 2009). You’re logging into LinkedIn and seeing many peers, colleagues, and strangers also looking for work.

Career coaches (like me!) are encouraging people to manage their expectations and anticipate delays.

Just because it’s taking longer doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Here’s what I look for to help our clients and community members get on the right track.

1. You’re targeting the right jobs

If you have narrowed your focus and stopped sending out dozens (or even hundreds!) of random applications, this is a big step. 

You are no longer panic-applying to everything. 

You are selecting jobs where you meet the qualifications, know your value, and feel genuinely interested.

This is how you become a strong candidate. This is how you get noticed. (And if you’re not sure, take a look – or listen! – to this blog post here.)

2. Your resume and LinkedIn reflect your actual value for your target jobs

A resume that is up to date and easy to read is great. 

But a resume that clearly conveys your strengths, experience, and contributions? That’s where the real traction starts.

Same goes for LinkedIn. If your profile feels aligned with your goals and gets profile views, connection requests, or recruiters reaching out, you're on the right track.

Resumes and LinkedIn profiles have been consistently generating interviews and opportunities for our clients this year. We firmly believe that they can help clients move their job search forward - but it likely won’t happen on accident!

Make sure you check out this post, this post, and this post, if you’re not sure you’re doing this.

3. You’re getting phone screens or interviews

Even if you are not yet getting offers, getting interview requests means your materials are doing their job. 

The resume got their attention. The application landed. That is momentum. It’s often a good sign to keep going.

4. You know what you want

You might not have it yet, but you're clear on what it is. You can describe your target roles, values, salary needs, and what kind of work environment you want. This clarity makes it easier to say yes to the right roles and no to the wrong ones.

And in this economy, knowing what you are not available for is a form of self-protection (and also, efficiency!). 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this workshop recording, How to Job Search at the End of the World, may be able to help revive your search efforts!)

5. You are re-engaging with your network

Whether you’re reaching out to past colleagues, mentors, or new connections, tapping your professional network is one of the best ways to find hidden opportunities. If you are talking to people, asking questions, or even just letting folks know what you’re looking for, that counts.

(And don’t forget our series on developing a professional eco-system, if you need help with this. There are three parts: here, here, and here!)

When you’re out of work, it’s easy to become isolated and disconnected. And honestly, that’s the last thing we want for our job search. 

6. You are recovering from rejection

There’s no path to success that doesn’t require rejection, ghosting, and disappointment.

Rejection is not failure. It is part of the process. If you’ve been turned down and you kept going, you are building a core skill for long term career resilience. That is not just job search success. That is life success.

7. You know success is a spectrum

This market is so tough. Business owners are coming to me looking for a job. Job seekers are coming to me ready to start a business. There aren’t a lot of easy choices - both of these paths have their challenges, but many people are using this period to create a portfolio career. 

They’re deciding that a “good enough” job is, indeed, good enough. They’re taking short term, contract, or part time work to supplement their unemployment or severance.

In my view, it’s the right time to ask what you need out of your career - and to pursue that wholeheartedly.

Bottom line: Job search success is not just about the outcome right now

Success leaves clues. 

Those clues include things like clarity and traction. 

More than ever, it looks like flexibility and curiosity. 

It is creating the foundation that helps you move forward, no matter how long the process takes.

If you’re looking for some support as you navigate this tricky time, make sure you check out our Revive services, created to be a flexible and accessible way to work with me 1:1 in this complicated and overwhelming time.

And if you want more insight and encouragement, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly email, Notes from the End of the World.