12 Quotes to Inspire You During Your Job Search

It’s that time of year – you’re officially on the hunt for a post-grad job or a summer internship. Whether you’re at the beginning of your job search or somewhere in the middle, it’s no secret that the process can be daunting. Through the many ups and downs, resume revisions, cover letters, and rejections, a little inspiration and motivation can go a long way. Here are 12 quotes that will help guide you through the process:

“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles, and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident, and more and more successful.” — Mark Victor Hansen

In this quote, Mark Victor Hansen, founder and co-creator of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series, encourages listeners to follow their dreams without hesitation. In order to succeed we must persevere, believe in ourselves, and keep trying. With experience and rejection comes wisdom. With wisdom comes success.

“It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” –– Mae Jemison

Mae Jemison, an American engineer, former NASA astronaut, and the first Black woman to travel in space, advises us to aim high and carve out the career we want. As a college student entering the workforce, it can be daunting to decide where you want to start your professional career. But remember to consider your own passions when searching for that first job.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” — Helen Keller

Here, Helen Keller reminds us that self-confidence is essential if we want to achieve something. Potential employers are more likely to respond favorably to a self-assured applicant. If you don’t believe in yourself, it is likely that a potential employer won’t believe in you either. Having a little confidence and hope for your future is the first step to success.

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us to push ourselves to take risks and do something that scares us every day. When it comes to the job hunt, the fear of being rejected might keep you from submitting an application for your dream job or even a role you have no experience in. Stay persistent and go for opportunities even when they scare you.

“If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think.” — T. Harv Eker

It’s normal to feel insecure sometimes, especially during the job hunt. Listen to the words of motivational speaker T. Harv Eker and try not to compare yourself to your competition.

“Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” — Julie Andrews

English actress and singer Julie Andrews reminds us of the importance of perseverance when we run into obstacles in life. This can be translated to the job search too. Don’t let any setbacks, poor interviews, or job rejections stop you from continuing to try again. Remember that in order to achieve success, we often fail first.

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” –– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Author Ralph Waldo Emerson explains here that our past failures and anxieties about the future are not nearly as powerful as the talent and potential that lies within us. It’s easy to get worked up about the past or what lies ahead for us in the future, especially when searching for a job. To Emerson, however, the past and future are overshadowed by a person’s character and personality. What lies within us is not only what makes us unique, but it helps shape the course of our lives.

"If you can dream it, you can do it." — Walt Disney

As the inspirational entrepreneur and film producer Walt Disney once said, it’s possible to make your dreams come true if you work hard enough. Any goal can be achieved if you have the determination and drive to succeed. If you can envision yourself being successful with a job that you love, then why can’t you?

"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." — Theodore Roosevelt

This is another quote about achieving your goals, this time from President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt expresses here that envisioning our goals and our dreams is essential, but we can’t lose sight of the dedication and hard work that must be put in to achieve them.

"When you leave college, there are thousands of people out there with the same degree you have; when you get a job, there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you are the only person alive who has sole custody of your life." — Anna Quindlen

There’s no doubt there will always be competition in life. This absolutely applies when searching for a job. In this quote, however, author and journalist Anna Quindlen reminds us that we control our destiny. If we want to succeed, we shouldn’t let anything or anyone (or even ourselves) stop us from doing so.

"However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at." — Stephen Hawking

Legendary physicist Stephen Hawking hints at the importance of perseverance again in this quote. No matter how bleak the job market may seem, you can always find a profession that suits your background, goals, and interests in life. Remember to stay open-minded and honest with yourself and don’t let the job hunt discourage you.

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want something." — Randy Pausch

American professor Randy Pausch suggests that the challenges and obstacles we face in life exist for a reason. However, instead of keeping us from achieving success, they exist in order to show us just how badly we want to succeed. Searching for a job will likely include failure, but let this failure inspire you to work harder the next time.

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