One Year of Rejection Transformed My Work Ethic: 'Perspective Comes at an Exorbitant Price'

In June 2017, I lost my position as a journalist and opted to use the summer months for temporary employment and savings, planning to embark on travels during autumn. Upon returning to the U.S. in December, I believed myself prepared to secure another opportunity within journalism. To economize on living expenses, I resided at my parents' place.

Throughout the span of one year, I submitted applications to numerous job openings Some resulted in emails from the hiring manager or recruiter. Others progressed to initial phone conversations. At least one advanced to as many as seven interviews. rounds of interviews There was never an offer extended at the conclusion of each interview process. Within just the initial half-year period, I went through interviews with over 10 distinct companies without success. None of them offered me employment.

Being turned down repeatedly was incredibly discouraging. I felt utterly useless. It led me into depression. Who was I without the identity my job provided? How could I be sure that I had significance?

Currently, there are 7.2 million individuals without jobs in the U.S., as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics , with 1.5 million individuals having been without work for at least 27 weeks consecutively. A lot of these people could potentially share similar struggles as those I experienced that particular year.

For me personally, it was precisely this emotional strain that prompted significant changes in how I handle my professional life. These adjustments have remained with me and assisted in cultivating a far more balanced connection to my work.

If that marked the end of my career, then so be it, as it was sufficient.

I recall an evening in May 2018 when, feeling broken-hearted and sprawled out in my parents' basement, I had my initial epiphany.

I had spent seven years as a journalist, contributing to major outlets such as The New York Times and more localized platforms like the Village Voice. Yet, despite all this work, it did nothing for my feelings about personal worth and achievement.

No matter what actions I took, they were never sufficient. It seemed as though there was an enormous void inside my belly, and despite throwing numerous published articles into it, it remained unfilled—it just kept expanding. My professional life gave me a sense of emptiness.

Janna Koretz, a clinical psychologist and specialist in leadership and mental health, often remarks, “Gaining perspective usually demands a very steep price.” She adds, “When individuals undergo challenging experiences—be they personal or professional—they acquire new insights as a result.”

Once my realization about my career being like a black hole hit me, I chose to change how I viewed my profession. Even if I never had another chance to write professionally, I figured that all I had accomplished up until then was more than sufficient reason for pride and happiness. It stood as ample on its own.

I have no proof required.

Several months afterward, the continuing The application process was quite draining. Once more. I began attributing all my value to receiving some form of reply from the hiring managers.

I discussed this with a friend who experienced a shift in perspective regarding their job due to a severe neurological condition. He then assigned me a task: picture a society without any work, he instructed, and create a list of personal traits you would contribute. "What value do you bring to the table simply by existing?" he asked.

“I believe that’s an excellent activity,” states Koretz, “since it makes you recognize all the aspects you contribute that aren’t related to your job.” In the setting of Koretz's office, Azimuth Psychological They provide individuals with a comparable task. In this assignment, they present a situation where there are no available jobs but assume that their clients have an endless supply of funds. Then, they inquire about how these individuals would proceed under such circumstances.

Koretz explains, "This aids individuals in beginning to understand that they possess more than they believe, both internally and externally." It instills considerable optimism and happiness in those who experience it.

This is what I discovered when working through exercises for my friend. I listed out 11 distinct traits: inherently inquisitive, inventive, always seeking happiness, among others. Within just a few days, I experienced a profound change within myself. I came to understand that loving one’s job and giving it everything you’ve got isn’t who you fundamentally are; rather, these efforts were simply part of my everyday activities.

Moving ahead, searching for employment became significantly more straightforward. This time around, I approached my quest with a heightened level of composure and clarity about how this would fit into my overall life plan. My sole objective was to secure a position that provided financial stability and personal satisfaction. Furthermore, my self-worth wasn’t contingent upon being offered a job.

I place just as much importance on all other aspects of my life, such as hanging out with friends and indulging in some creative writing during my free time. These activities serve as constant reminders of what holds significance for me.

In late 2018, I secured my position at last. While starting this new role filled me with excitement, my approach toward work had subtly shifted. By then, I understood that although I could find fulfillment through achievements, fundamentally, I didn’t have anything left to demonstrate.

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