Before You Give Up, Read This

Anyone trying to move forward in their career eventually faces a tough question, especially after getting no responses or feeling stuck.

Is this the right direction?

You update your CV, earn new certifications, and keep up with industry trends. Still, nothing happens. Recruiters don’t respond, your non-traditional background feels like a burden, and the career change you wanted starts to seem like a mistake. In these moments, the question comes back, quieter but harder to ignore.

Is it time to walk away?

We often celebrate the courage it takes to start something new or to change direction. But there’s another kind of courage that gets less attention: the courage to keep trying when nothing has worked yet, and when the only thing you have is your own belief.

The biggest thing that holds people back in their careers isn’t a lack of talent. It’s waiting. We wait for the perfect portfolio, for the market to settle down, or until we feel “qualified enough” to apply.

But things have changed. LinkedIn data shows that career changes are up 40% since before the pandemic. Most people now switch careers, not just jobs, three or four times in their lives.

Gatekeeping is fading. More companies now hire for skills instead of just degrees. In this new environment, the people who take action are the ones who get ahead.

A lot of people think opportunity comes from luck or knowing the right people. It’s an easy way to avoid pressure, but it also keeps you stuck. In reality, breakthroughs usually come from putting in the work, not just waiting for inspiration.

“The math on persistence is not inspirational.

What you get out of your career depends on what you put in. If you’re like Victory Osasere and apply to ten jobs a day for months, you’ll eventually meet someone who says yes. But if you only apply to two jobs a week and give up when it gets tough, you probably won’t get it.

Research shows that 70% of successful leaders say their success comes from bouncing back after setbacks. They know that a “NO” only costs a minute to read. They don’t wait until they feel ready. They put in the effort everywhere: in conversations, pitches, and applications.

Many people wrongly believe that having a non-traditional background is a disadvantage.

But the truth is nearly the opposite.

About 85% of job success comes from transferable soft skills. You can always learn technical skills, but the problem-solving and analytical habits you build in one field help you in the next. For example, 40% of General Assembly graduates switch careers, moving from non-tech backgrounds into high-demand jobs. Your background isn’t something to overcome; it’s the base you build new skills on.

People who build great careers see failure differently. They treat rejection as just another step in the process.

“A rejection you have not interrogated is a rejection that will repeat itself. One you have processed is experience that compounds.”

If an interview goes badly, it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It’s just information. It can show you where you need to improve, how you come across, or maybe that the timing wasn’t right. What matters most is not the “no” itself, but how quickly you move on and keep trying.

Persistence needs structure, or it’s just being stubborn. If you’re ready to stop waiting and start taking action, here’s a framework to help you break through:

• Pick a daily goal you won’t skip. Maybe it’s five job applications or three networking chats. Stick to it. Being consistent over time gets better results than working in short bursts.

• Go after roles that seem out of reach. Aim for jobs that feel “too senior” or companies that seem intimidating. The worst that can happen is a no, but you might get an opportunity you’d miss if you always played it safe.

• Learn something from every “No.” Before you move on, ask yourself what went wrong and what you’d do differently next time.

• Share your progress openly. The more people see what you’re doing, the more chances you have for good things to happen. Often, the job you get comes from someone noticing your work when you least expect it.

The door rarely opens on your first try, or even your tenth. That doesn’t mean it’s locked, it just means this is the price you pay to get in.

Are you taking steps to build your future, or are you still waiting for someone to give you the go-ahead?

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