Let’s talk about Application Fatigue
what do you do when you applications end up in drafts?
“I am happy to announce that I…” If you’re familiar with the LinkedIn game, then this is a phrase you frequently come across when you open up the app. Someone somewhere is behind the keypad bursting with so much joy to finalllyyyy have good news to share. Or maybe they do share their wins back to back and this isn’t an anomalous action for them. But there you are, with nothing to share (this is false because you honestly do not need to have a win to post your thoughts on LinkedIn). It is easy to come to this conclusion especially if you’re battling with Application fatigue or if you’ve recently had to deal with a lot of rejections (breakfasts as we commonly call them).
How did you get here? You may wonder. How did you turn to the kind of person who overlooks opportunities because you can’t conjure up the strength to do justice to them? On some days when you choose to reflect, these questions may cloud your mind without answers in view. On other days, you tell yourself it is because you do not like to put in mediocre efforts and that may be enough to tune out the self-doubts. As I do not like to claim to be an expert in fields I am not qualified to speak about, I can only talk about my experience and hope you learn one or two things to navigate this phase.
Application fatigue was something I experienced in the second quarter and some parts of the third quarter of the year. I came into this year with so many expectations as I was looking forward to completing my service year and getting some things done career-wise. I started putting in applications for project management roles in November even though the service year was supposed to end in March. If you know me, you know I like to plan things way ahead especially if I have the resources in my corner. I got an entry-level role with an IT Indian company in Victoria Island around December(the interview story is something I would like to share but that will make this post unnecessarily long) but I didn’t resume this role partly because we couldn’t agree on a compensation and partly because I was studying for my GRE exam. The company will go ahead and ghost me and I will continue with my job search with so much hope for the future. Nothing prepared me for the rejections I would later experience between January and February. Some of these rejections didn’t really get to me as I aimed pretty high so they were bound to happen. However, some of them will cut really close to my heart and I found myself bawling my eyes out for hours. Sometimes, I dressed up and went looking for closure in places I hold dear. Other times, I talk to my loved ones about them. This pattern will continue until I finally secure a role some weeks before my passing out parade.
Partnership engagement was not something I knew about before I started interviewing for the role so I allowed myself to be fully immersed in the role while I stopped putting in applications for any upskilling programs. I gave myself the excuse that I had a lot to learn (I did have a lot to learn and I am grateful for my manager who was intentional about my growth). I became aware of this odd habit when I failed to submit an application for an opportunity that I had been waiting for throughout the year.
What has worked for me to help me get over this fatigue? You may be as curious as Khadijah, one of the BTS community members who prompted me to write today.
Acknowledging the fact that I was tired of getting rejections was the first step I took. I was tired and a bit wounded from all the rejections I got. I took some time to reflect on some applications I put in. I looked through my essays for loopholes. I looked through some major qualification terms I overlooked and sought out ways to improve myself. I researched for resources to help me improve and I read some personalized feedback I got from some organisations. I also got comfortable with the fact that I was transitioning from my educational background and I needed to read up and get skilled. I talked to some people I look up to and I got good advice and actionable plans.
Apart from these, I also reflected on my mental models. I consume content that helps me psychologically to continue to put in my best. I cry on some days when I get in my feelings. I laugh at myself on some days. I journal down my thoughts and reflect on some Quranic verses on some days. Have I overcome the fatigue? I think I have as I currently have some applications lined up already for September.
As you go into the new week, I wish you the strength to keep forging on. I pray your dreams become a reality and that you have good news to share with your loved ones.
With love,
Umaynah