You applied and you’re waiting to hear back. What now?

After finishing up our resume series and before we dive into our next, let’s take a pause and talk about one of the more difficult periods of the job search: the in-between.

The in-between is the collection of passive moments after you’ve done what you can do and the only thing left is to wait and maintain faith that eventually someone will see the potential in you that you know is there. There’s only so much you can control; the in-between is not one of them.

The in-between can be a space of discomfort. The longer it lasts, the more feelings of defeat may start creeping in. You’re never alone here. And you may even see updates from others in your network, sharing their own experience of the too-long search, along with a collection of supportive and empathetic comments from digital passersby.

But while it’s nice to feel less alone, it’s never really enough, is it?

During these times of transition, when uncertainty begins to settle in, there are ways to reignite your drive. Here are some ideas for empowering yourself when you’re feeling stuck in the in-between.