Job hunting can feel like a lonely, overwhelming, and even shame-filled process. Many people scroll through job boards late at night, submit applications to roles that sound good, and cross their fingers that something sticks. But deep down, there’s fear that even if they land a new job, it still won’t be the right job.
That’s exactly where Lauren found herself. She had left a job she once loved, moved into a new role that wasn’t a great fit, and was caught in a cycle of applying to whatever seemed interesting without much direction. But instead of spinning her wheels, she did something that changed everything: she “recruited” a partner.
Lauren’s journey provides that you don’t have to figure it all out alone. When she stopped job searching in isolation and started opening up about her struggles, her doubts, and her goals, opportunities and clarity followed.
And here’s the thing: the moment you tell people what you’re looking for, you create accountability. When others know about your job search, they check in. They ask how it’s going. They send you leads, ideas, and encouragement. It might feel scary at first, but often, the things that feel the most uncomfortable are exactly what we need to do.
Let’s dive into Lauren’s journey — from frustration to fulfillment — and what you can learn from her job hunting experience.
When Work Doesn’t Feel Right
Lauren spent ten years working in a physical therapy practice, managing operations for eight of those years. She loved the work, but when the business was acquired by a larger company, everything changed. What once felt like her place no longer fit. So, she did what many people do when they sense it’s time for a career change — she found another job.
That’s how she ended up working at a dental office. But something still wasn’t right.
“I tried the generalist approach of applying to anything that sounded good,” Lauren shared. “But I just had this gnawing feeling that I’d start something new and it still wouldn’t be ‘it.’”
This is where so many job seekers get stuck. They know they need something different, but they’re not sure what that actually means. They apply to dozens of roles, hoping the right fit magically appears. And when it doesn’t, they start doubting themselves, wondering if they’re asking for too much.
Lauren needed clarity, but she also needed something deeper: a shift in mindset.
The Power of Recruiting a Partner
One of the biggest lies in job searching is that you have to do it alone.
Many job seekers feel a sense of shame around their job hunt. They don’t want to admit they’re looking because – what if it doesn’t work out? What if people start asking for updates, and they have nothing new to share? What if their boss finds out?
But the truth is, telling people you’re looking for a new job is one of the most powerful things you can do.
Lauren joined our coaching program last year and everything changed. She admitted that wasn’t just looking for help writing a better resume or finding more job leads – she needed direction, strategy, and faith-based guidance to unlock career clarity.
Through coaching, she started to reframe how she thought about work.
“I used to think of work as just something I should do,” she admitted. “Now, I see it as something that can look a million different ways, as long as I’m within what God created me to do.”
And just as importantly, she wasn’t job searching alone anymore.
Overcoming Fears and Stepping Into Growth
Lauren, like so many others, had unknowingly created invisible rules about her career. She told herself things like:
- “I’m not an entrepreneur.”
- “I need a job with benefits and stability.”
- “I don’t like networking.”
- “I have to be good at something before I try it.”
These beliefs kept her stuck. But through our program, she started challenging those assumptions.
“I needed to do things that felt scary,” she said. “I needed to learn that it’s okay to try things I’m not immediately good at.” This was a major turning point. Instead of avoiding discomfort, she leaned into it. She practiced networking. She reached out to people for informational interviews. She considered job paths she’d never explored before.
And one key piece of advice from us stuck with her:
“When something feels scary, that’s often a sign it’s worth doing.”
What Made the Difference?
While job hunting, she also transformed her approach in work, faith, and personal growth. Here are a few things that helped her the most, which you can apply for yourself too:
1. Do Informational Interviews
Lauren reached out to professionals in fields she was interested in, not to ask for jobs, but to learn from them. In return, many became “career champions”, checking in and encouraging her along the way.
Most people hesitate to reach out to strangers, but the reality is people love talking about what they do – especially when they see someone genuinely curious about their field. Lauren found that the more people she spoke to, the more clarity she gained. She learned about potential career paths she had never considered, gained insider knowledge about different industries, and built relationships that would later prove valuable.
2. Take Accountability
Having someone else ensured she stayed on track, even on the days when self-doubt crept in.
Accountability isn’t just about having someone to check in – it’s about having someone who believes in you when you struggle to believe in yourself. Whether it was through coaching calls, prayer meetings, or the encouragement of the community, Lauren always had people reminding her of her progress and pushing her to keep going.
3. Faith Over Fear
Instead of letting fear dictate her decisions, she leaned into trust – trust in the process, trust in God, and trust in herself.
She started praying differently, surrendering her career to God in a way she never had before. She began asking bold questions in prayer, like, What do You call me to do? Where are You leading me? And she saw the power of trusting God’s timing, even when it didn’t align with her own.
4. Tell Everyone You’re Job Hunting
If Lauren hadn’t shared her career transition with her financial advisor, she wouldn’t have landed her current job. Letting people know what you’re looking for can lead to unexpected (and amazing) opportunities.
This is something so many job seekers overlook. They assume job searching has to be a quiet, private process. But the truth is, talking about job hunting is one of the best things you can do.
When you share your goals, people in your network naturally start thinking of ways they can help. They send job leads. They introduce you to hiring managers. They encourage you when things feel tough.
Lauren’s experience proves this. By simply having a conversation, she was presented with a job opportunity she never would have found on her own.
Like Lauren, You Can Find Career Clarity Too
If you want to land an incredible new job this year or finally start the business of your dreams, book a FREE career strategy call with us. We’ll provide the structure, help you find clarity, and support you in discovering the work God is calling you to do. Once again, you don’t have to do it all alone. We’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
