"Despite what older generations like to tell us, getting a job isn’t as simple as showing up in person with a physical copy of your resume and a go-getter attitude. The current job market is a terrifying tundra of endless application processes, long rounds of interviews, and ghost jobs. And when every industry is suffering from layoffs, who is even hiring anyway? According to TIME Magazine, there is now, on average, one job opening for every two applicants on LinkedIn, whereas in early 2022, when there was one job opening per applicant on average. This means when it comes to looking for a job, our chances have less than halved. So whether you’re searching for a job after a layoff, interested in changing careers, or are trying to maximize your earning potential, the fickle job market can be stressful.
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In the current climate of economic uncertainty and shifting workplace norms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the job search process. Or even just the idea of opening LinkedIn. However, the stress in the job search might be setting you up to fail. Stress leads to a scarcity mindset, and the pressure to secure any job, regardless of fit, can be intense. That’s why many young professionals are flipping the script. Instead of “hunting” or “searching” for a job, they’re calling it “job shopping”—a refreshing mindset shift that’s transforming how we approach our careers.
What is job shopping?
Job shopping is a mindset shift that proposes we make the job search more intentional and fun by thinking of it like a shopping trip. It sounds frivolous and unrealistic, I know, but hear me out: What do you do when you shop? You compare products and prices, imagining how your life would look or feel different with that new purchase. Job shopping encourages us to consider what we really want out of a job instead of choosing just anything.
Coined by TikToker Piper Phillips, this concept is all about taking a more mindful, empowered approach to finding your next professional adventure. After quitting a so-called “dream job” as a marketing manager for a start-up, Phillips promised herself not to let the job search stress her out. Instead, she decided to adopt the mentality that she could land a job she wanted if she shopped according to her wants and needs. While looking for a new job can still come with stress, and treating it like a shopping spree seems a little delusional, this mindset shift can help take the pressure off, according to Phillips.
How does job shopping work?
By removing the negative connotations around the idea of looking for a job, you can start to change how you look for a job and how you let it affect you. When you’re job shopping, you’re in the driver’s seat. Instead of applying to hundreds of jobs and hoping something sticks, job shopping encourages you to look for roles that truly align with your goals and values.
Of course, not every job you apply for will be able to check all your boxes and you will likely still have to apply to some that are just so-so (we have to pay the bills, after all), but this mindset shift encourages you to approach your search with intention. This way, if you’re unemployed and looking for a job, for example, you’ll hopefully strike a better balance between applying to jobs out of necessity and applying to jobs that you’re really excited about.
“While looking for a new job can still come with stress, and treating it like a shopping spree seems a little delusional, this mindset shift can help take the pressure off.”
From recent graduates to mid-career professionals, this reframe has inspired people to look for roles that align with their values and further their goals. Not to mention, taking the time to apply to the jobs that are a true fit for you can put you in a better position to get an interview and land a job since both your skills and passion will shine through to hiring managers.
How to apply the job shopping mindset
Cher from Clueless said it best: “You see how picky I am about my shoes, and they only go on my feet.” Well, it’s time to apply that same discerning attitude to your job search. Here’s how to apply the job-shopping mindset:
Release negative emotions
The first step is reframing the negative emotions that can come with the job hunt. Whether you’ve been laid off, searching for a while, or feel stuck in your career, being open to work is nothing to be ashamed of. A recent viral LinkedIn post (yes, there is such a thing) by designer Courtney Summer Myers poked fun at the discourse around the “Open to Work” banner on LinkedIn. “Being laid off doesn’t reflect a lack of skills, talent, or work ethic,” she said. “No one should be embarrassed that they need to pay their rent and bills, support their family, or feed themselves.”
Anyone seeking change can embrace the relief that comes from letting go of the anxiety that can come with the job search. To release these negative emotions, try to find their source. Are you afraid of possible rejections? Does facing a gap in your resume give you dread? Instead of recoiling from those feelings, journal them out or confront them in whatever way works for you. Once you can move your emotional obstacles, your path might feel much more clear.
Take stock of your skills
Before you start job shopping, list your skills, experiences, and what you bring to the table. No matter where you are starting your job search journey, remind yourself that you are a valuable asset that companies want just as much as you want them. While the current job search process might make you doubt your skills and value (especially when you get straight-up ghosted by a company), job shopping emphasizes cultivating self-worth. Like saying affirmations or practicing positive self-talk, writing down what you bring to the table can help boost your confidence. It can also show you what areas you might want to grow professionally, which can help in your search.
Create a job wishlist
To take a more active approach to job shopping, you need to define what you’re looking for in your next role. It’s tempting to just say “money” and move on to the next step, but try to consider what would really help you achieve your dream quality of life. Maybe you want to be able to pay for a monthly class pack at your local Pilates studio, or maybe you need a remote job so you can work around your kids’ daycare schedule. Ask yourself the following questions to create your wishlist:
- What do you want your life to look like a year from now?
- How much does that life cost?
- What benefits would you need to be living it?
- What’s non-negotiable?
- What would be nice to have?
While you’re applying for jobs, pay special attention to the ones that align with your wishlist. Again, not every job you apply for will be able to meet all your hopes and dreams, but the ones that do have some of your wishlist items can help you feel hopeful. Like Phillips, approach your search with optimism. Remember that you’re excitedly exploring opportunities that could potentially help you achieve your dream life, not worried that you’ll never find anything that could be a good fit for you.
“This mindset shift can help you reframe the negative self-talk that might come with rejection so you can keep actively seeking your next best thing.”
Put in the work
Now that you know what you bring to the table and what you’re looking for in your next role, it’s time to put in the work. To find more open roles that could potentially be a good fit for you, attend industry events to network or try specialty job boards for your industry or demographic. Looking for cool creative jobs from emerging companies, check out ilovecreatives.com. Are you Gen Z and looking for early-career opportunities, sign up for the Gen She job board. If you’re a parent, try searching for roles catered to your schedule (and ones that value the transferable skills that parenting teaches you) at places like The Mom Project. The key is to look more closely at places that best align with what you are looking for, instead of scrolling generic job boards for hours on end, hoping to find something that fits.
Don’t let rejection get you down
No matter how positive your mindset is, this job market is tough. Even if you’re lucky enough to be job shopping from a more secure position, it can be disappointing to be met with rejections. And if you’re job shopping-curious but really just need to take the first job that will pay the bills, there’s no shame in that, either.
Sometimes, you find the perfect jeans, and they just don’t fit. Sometimes, you apply for a job that feels like your dream role, only to not be selected in the final round. Sure, job shopping in this comparison implies a bit of frivolity, but it’s also a reminder that we can bring a bit of lightness to a rather stressful experience. Plus, when something doesn’t work out, it’s not always within our control. If nothing else, this mindset shift can help you reframe the negative self-talk that might come with rejection so you can keep actively seeking your next best thing.
Langa Chinyoka, Contributing Writer
Langa is a Los Angeles-based writer and strategist. She is currently an editor and content strategist at a marketing agency. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, British Vogue, Highsnobiety, Eyeswoon, Camille Styles, The Good Trade, and more.