Card 1: Trust your abilities

Years ago my husband introduced me to Oblique Strategies cards. They're a deck of cards created by Brian Eno, each with a simple change in perspective meant to help one break out of a creative rut.

To use them, you pull 3 random cards from the deck and use the statements on the cards to prompt a different way to solve a problem or make a decision.

Throughout the year, I'll be sharing a version of these cards with you, one per week. By the end of the year, you'll have a full set of well... strategies.

Let's go!

Card 1: Trust your abilities

As the job search drags on (and on), it can be challenging to see past the doubt and rejection.

When I was job searching, I was officially rejected almost 550 times. Yes, I kept track. It was a rare day that I didn't receive one of those "We've gone in a different direction" emails.

When that happens, it's easy to start thinking you're worthless, that you can't do anything.

Instead, focus on what you CAN do. What you bring to the proverbial table.

Your special skills. Your distinct talents. Your unique experiences.

Don't just consider the abilities that got you to where you are in your career. Are there any you haven't been using? Is there something to lean into?

Maybe that means:

• Stay strong in the face of everything swirling around you— you know your stuff!

• Rethink what you're looking for to take advantage of neglected abilities

• Try something you've only dreamed about

• Use your abilities (and your non-searching time) to work on a project for a cause that's meaningful to you (Bonus: projects like these are great to highlight in cover letters and interviews!)

Trust your abilities! You got this.

Check us out at ZenSearch.jobs and share our platform with anyone looking for something new. Together, we can make job searching a little more zen.