Life Skills
Discouraged by Your Job Search? 3 Essential Skills to Help You Succeed
Job searching is hard work. Here’s how to succeed, according to a former career mentor.
“Thank you for applying. We regret to inform you that we have chosen not to move forward with your application.”
Like many young adults, my 20s have been full of hopeful job applications and rejection letters.
Church leaders have repeatedly admonished us to become self-reliant, provide for our families, and give to the poor when we can. But if work is so important, why is it so difficult to find sometimes?
During college, I worked as a career mentor at my university. My responsibilities included reviewing my peers’ resumes and conducting mock job interviews to help them succeed in their job searches. I learned crucial steps for job searches and applications, some I had never even heard of before!
The Lord taught that “all things unto me are spiritual” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:34). Here are some practical tips with spiritual perspectives to remember during your job search:
1. Be Confident—Share Personal Experiences
When I mentored students, they often asked me, “How do I talk about myself without sounding like I’m bragging?”
Because we want to be humble, we might feel like we need to downplay our strengths. But we can remain humble while being honest about our achievements. One suggestion is to answer interview questions with stories. For example, if an employer asks what your greatest strength is, share a story that shows your skills in action, like a time you picked up extra tasks for a sick coworker or when you were required to learn something new. Stories are interesting, believable, and easy to remember.
True humility is acknowledging Heavenly Father in everything you do (see Alma 26:12). As you keep a prayer of gratitude in your heart and speak positively about others during your interview, you won’t come across as arrogant.
2. Increase Your Knowledge—Match Your Skills to the Employer
It’s true—knowledge is power! Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once shared, “Learning to love learning is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ, is vital to our ongoing spiritual and personal development, and is an absolute necessity in the world in which we do now and will yet live, serve, and work.”
Before writing a cover letter or interviewing, research the company. Review their website to find their company mission statement and goals. Contact former or current employees through networking websites or other means to learn about company culture. Knowing your audience helps you highlight specific skills in your application that are relevant to the job.
For instance, if you read in the job description that the employer is looking for someone familiar with a certain software, be sure to include your proficiency level for that software on your résumé. If the company values community involvement, mention your personal goals of giving back. Employers prefer candidates whose goals align with their own.
3. Be Diligent—Follow the 15-10-2 Strategy
When the task of applying to jobs starts feeling too difficult, don’t quit. In the Book of Mormon, Ammon reminds us that when he was exhausted and discouraged, the Lord comforted him, saying, “Bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success” (Alma 26:27).
During your job search, have you ever felt like Ammon—exhausted, frustrated, and ready to quit? I know I have. And while the Lord’s message to Ammon was meant for him, you can have confidence that Heavenly Father wants you to succeed too. Job searching takes time and effort, but persistence pays off.
One way to keep up your efforts is following the 15-10-2 strategy. This means identifying 15 new resources, making 10 contacts, and meeting two of those contacts face-to-face each day. The Lord promises that as we involve Him in our efforts, He will consecrate our performance (see 2 Nephi 32:9).
As I’ve implemented these steps in my own job search, I’ve built meaningful connections, improved my professional skills, and ultimately landed several jobs. Wherever you are in your job search, I encourage you to try these tips! Above all, involve the Lord in your efforts, and He will make you more than you can be on your own.