Mindset over Resume
Your Mindset is More Important than Your Resume
I’m not going to lie to you. It is TOUGH out there for job seekers. People are struggling to find jobs, and they are getting discouraged. This job market feels like a game of musical chairs—except there are 300 people and only 2 chairs, and both chairs are unpaid internships.
And this market isn’t just tough for job seekers. Companies are overwhelmed by applicant volume, as job seekers flood requisitions, desperate to get their resume in front of anyone who will look at it. The average job search is taking more than 6 months, according to a Wall Street Journal article. As job seekers become more anxious, they apply to more and more jobs, making companies feel more and more overwhelmed, and the cycle continues.
But we’ve been here before. I graduated college during the great recession when job opportunities were limited. It was rough for me at first, but I moved into a field I love (Human Rsources) and have seen steady career growth. The economy is like a pendulum in an upward spiral—swinging back and forth, but always climbing higher over time.There will always be more opportunity if you’re willing to look for it.
Take it from me as a recruiter. COMPANIES STILL NEED GREAT PEOPLE. There is a talent gap of people who are devoted, hard working and diligent, as I assume you are if you are reading this. Remembering this – that your skills are needed, and companies can’t thrive without great talent like you, is key to learning that your mindset is more important than your resume.
One of the keys to a job search is reframing rejection. When you get a form email that you are no longer in consideration for a role, your first instinct is to feel rejected, as though you lost something you wanted. You have to reframe this. YOU were not rejected for the job - that job failed to meet your standards. Your first standard for a job is a workplace that values you- so by not moving forward with your application, the company failed your first test. Focus on the fact that this saves you time and energy. In this abundant universe, filled with amazing opportunities, you have no reason to spend time thinking about a company that is not in alignment with your energy. So, instead of rejection, try to feel a sense of gratitude when you receive a rejection email.
Try this affirmation: ‘Thank you Universe, for showing me that that role was not the right role for me. I am so happy and grateful that my perfect role is open now, and waiting for me to find it.’
Why do this? Why turn to affirmations and mindset, when the more sensible path seems to be having ChatGPT rewrite your resume for an eighth time.
Because it’s all about timing. That’s the tough thing that you have to acknowledge if you’re still hunting for your perfect job. You need that job to come open at the right moment, and you have to ensure that the people connected to the job know you are searching when it does come open. So this takes persistence. This takes a commitment to putting yourself out there, over and over again. It isn’t easy. But it isn’t hard either. The worst part is the rejection. So if you can reframe the rejection as misalignment and be grateful for it, you can own the job search game.
A Bit of History
To better understand how the way we are feeling translates to the results we see, we turn to the history of psychology, specifically Maslow and Erikson.
In the mid-20th century, two influential thinkers shaped how we understand human development and motivation: Abraham Maslow and Erik Erikson. Maslow proposed that human motivation follows a five-level pyramid — starting with survival needs (food, safety), then moving up to belonging, self-esteem, and ultimately self-actualization.
In other words: Once your basic needs are met, you start to crave purpose.
A job isn’t just a paycheck — it becomes a way to express your values, strengths, and identity. But also, make sure you take care of yourself in the right order – are you eating well, exercising, and taking care of your body? If not, you’re not going to feel good, and you can’t blame it on your career woes.
Erik Erikson focused on how our sense of self develops across our lifespan. In early adulthood, he said we’re driven to form close relationships. But by middle adulthood, the question becomes:“Am I contributing something meaningful to the world?” This stage, called generativity, reflects our deep need to feel useful and purposeful — often fulfilled through our work.
If you're feeling stuck in your career or unsure what direction to take, you're not broken — you're human. A desire for meaningful work is normal. And it starts not with your resume, but with your mindset and sense of identity — right now. And if you’re feeling frustrated or burned out – is it because your work is not fulfilling your purpose? Either way, you need to work on your mindset, and remember that the universe is filled with limitless opportunities, just waiting for you to reach out and grab them.
A Bit of WOO
In our seven week cycle, we are back to the ROOT CHAKRA.
The Fear: I am not good enough, and I won’t find meaningful, gainful work
The Solution: Lean on Your Root Chakra to Re-Connect to the Earth
The root chakra is located in your tailbone, and it connects you with the world. So if you’re feeling anxious, you can sit on the ground, do some deep breathing, and think about the ways that you are connected with the world around you. As you breathe in, you can think about the ways that your life is connected with the lives of others. As you breathe out, you can think about the ways that other people have sacrificed so that you can have a happy, healthy life. You can think about the bonds that connect you to the ground, and how those bonds travel through the ground to make little tiny connections to the world around you.
This might seem out of your comfort zone. This might seem like something weird, that you would not ordinarily do. But think of it this way - what do you have to lose? What if you take exactly 3 minutes - set a timer on your phone so that you don’t take more time than you intend - and sit on the floor visualizing this. What do you have to lose?
The root chakra is the foundation of Job Search Zen. Just like this chakra governs our sense of safety and stability, your job search must begin with grounding — identifying what you need to feel secure, supported, and steady. Before chasing passion or purpose, we focus on basics: financial needs, daily routines, and a stable environment. When your root is strong, you move through your career journey with confidence instead of fear. Zen begins at the base.
