Stop Applying for Jobs You Don’t Really Want
I get it.
Sometimes, the job search isn’t about chasing a dream—it’s about escaping a nightmare.
Maybe you’re stuck in a toxic workplace.
Maybe your finances are tight and the clock is ticking.
Maybe you’re exhausted, burned out, and applying feels like the only way forward.
In moments like these, it’s tempting to apply for anything and everything.
You tell yourself, “I just need something—anything—to get me out of here.”
But here’s what I’ve seen, time and time again:
When you chase jobs you don’t really want, you drain the time, focus, and energy you desperately need to land the job you actually do want.
And then there is something else nobody talks about: It takes just as much time and effort to land the wrong job as it does to land the right one.
The difference?
One leads to a fresh start.
The other? A familiar kind of regret.
If you’re serious about landing a role that lights you up—not just something you can do, but something you want to do—then it’s time to shift your strategy:
Get clear on what you truly want
Stop applying for roles you’d never accept if you had better options
Channel your best energy into intentional applications
Because your effort is your first impression.
And misdirected effort? That’s the quickest way to stay stuck.
So before you hit “submit” on another maybe, pause and ask yourself:
Would I say yes to this if something better came along?
If the answer is no—close the tab.
Redirect your energy toward something that moves you forward.
You deserve more than a quick escape.
You deserve a future you’re proud to walk into.