Ok friend, we are almost a month into 2026... how is it going? Really?
If you've been applying more, tweaking more, trying harder and still not seeing traction, I want to gently say this:
Effort isn't the problem.
Most high-performing professionals aren't lazy or unfocused.
They're doing too much without a clear strategy.
And that's what's exhausting you.
Why "Apply More" Is Terrible Advice
When you're stuck in a job search, the default advice sounds like this:
"Just apply to more jobs."
"Keep putting yourself out there."
"Someone will notice eventually."
But here's what that advice doesn't account for:
High performers struggle more when they lack clarity β not when they lack effort.
You've already proven you can work hard. You've built your career on showing up, delivering, and going the extra mile.
So when someone tells you to just "try harder," it feels like a slap in the face.
Because you're already trying. And it's still not working.
That's not a you problem. That's a strategy problem.
Activity Feels Productive β But It's Not the Same as Progress
I worked with a client who came to me after applying to over 200 jobs in six months.
Two. Hundred. Jobs. π€―
She had a strong resume. Years of experience. Leadership skills that were undeniable.
But she wasn't getting interviews.
When we sat down and looked at her approach, the issue became clear:
She was applying to everything that seemed "close enough." Marketing roles. Operations roles. Project management roles. Anything that mentioned her keywords.
She was busy. She felt productive. But she had no strategy.
And without strategy, effort just leads to burnout.
Once we narrowed her focus to roles that actually aligned with her strengths and positioned her experience clearly, everything shifted.
Three weeks later, she had four interviews lined up.
Not because she worked harder. Because she got intentional.
The Difference Between Activity and Progress
Here's what most people don't realize:
Activity can feel like progress β but it's not.
Sending 50 applications feels like you're doing something. Customizing cover letters at midnight feels productive. Scrolling job boards every day feels active.
But if none of that is leading to conversations, interviews, or offers β it's just motion.
Real progress looks different:
-
Applying to fewer roles that actually fit
-
Having networking conversations that lead somewhere
-
Interviewing with clarity and confidence
-
Hearing back because your positioning makes sense
That kind of progress doesn't come from doing more. It comes from doing the right things.
Why "Try Harder" Advice Erodes Confidence Over Time
Here's the brutal truth about volume-based job searching:
The more applications you send without hearing back, the more your confidence takes a hit.
You start questioning everything:
"Maybe I'm not as qualified as I thought."
"Maybe my experience doesn't translate."
"Maybe I'm just not good enough."
But none of that is true.
What's actually happening? You're under-positioned, not underqualified.
When you can't clearly articulate:
-
What roles align with your strengths
-
How your experience connects to what's next
-
Where to focus your energy
Everything feels harder than it should.
And the "try harder" advice just makes it worse.
Because working harder in the wrong direction doesn't fix the problem. It deepens the frustration.
What Clarity Actually Changes
One of my clients said this after we worked together:
"I didn't realize I'd never stopped to think about what I actually wanted. Going through these exercises gave me more confidence than I've ever had in my career."
That's what clarity does.
It doesn't just help you figure out what roles to apply to. It changes how you feel about yourself.
When you're clear on:
-
What you want next
-
What your strengths are
-
How to position your experience
You stop second-guessing every application.
You stop wondering if you're "good enough."
You start interviewing with direction instead of desperation.
And hiring managers finally get what you bring to the table. π‘
What Intentional Strategy Actually Looks Like
An intentional job search isn't about doing more.
It's about doing less β but doing it better.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
1. Get clear on what you actually want Not what you think you should want. Not what worked five years ago. What aligns with who you are now.
2. Identify 10-20 target roles that fit Stop applying to everything. Start focusing on roles where your experience actually makes sense.
3. Position your story clearly Build a narrative that connects your past to your next move in a way hiring managers can follow.
4. Network with intention Stop cold-applying. Start having conversations with people who can open doors.
5. Focus your energy where it matters Quality over quantity. Always.
This approach takes less time, creates less stress, and gets better results.
Because you're not guessing anymore. You're executing a plan.
You Don't Need More Effort β You Need Direction
Another client told me this:
"I have a friend in this same spot trying to figure out what's next, but she doesn't have an 'Alyssa'! She is struggling and I can't thank you enough for guiding me through this part of the process. I haven't been this excited in a really long time!"
Here's what I want you to know:
-
You're not failing because you're not working hard enough.
-
You're stuck because you're missing the clarity piece.
-
And once you have that clarity, everything shifts.
If networking or outreach has felt awkward, forced, or draining, that's usually a sign you don't have a structure β not that you're doing it wrong.
π Download the Network Like a Pro Guide to help you focus your energy where it actually matters.
It's a simple starting point β no pressure, no hustle.
And if you're thinking, "I don't want to figure this out alone," you can always book a free 30-minute discovery call to talk it through.
You don't need more effort. You need direction.
Cheering you on,
π Alyssa
P.S. β My client who applied to 200+ jobs? She landed a role she's genuinely excited about β with a $10k salary increase. Not because she tried harder. Because she got strategic.
Responses