Two Sides, Same Coin

Carrie Richardson is a Career Alignment Specialist, Senior Recruiter, and Talent Strategist with 20 years of experience helping professionals and companies build high-performing teams across various job verticals. Since 2008, she has also worked as a literary consultant, editor, and published author, guiding writers through the publishing process with manuscript development, storytelling refinement, and career coaching for authors.

Founder of The Phoenix Pen Creative LLC – A dual-focused firm specializing in career development and literary services. We provide resume writing, job search strategy, career transition coaching, and recruiting solutions for professionals at all levels, from entry-level to executive. Additionally, we offer manuscript editing, publishing guidance, and storytelling development to help authors bring their books to life. Whether building careers or crafting stories, we empower individuals to rise, reinvent, and succeed.

The Emotional Impact on Job Seekers

When you’re looking for a job, that search becomes your full-time job—but without the paycheck. You wake up each day, comb through listings, tweak your resume, submit applications, and wait. And wait. And wait.

For many job seekers, rejection starts to feel deeply personal, especially when they hear nothing after an interview they thought went well. It’s easy to spiral into self-doubt:

●  Am I not good enough?

● Did I do something wrong?

● Will I ever find the right opportunity?

The weight of financial stress, fear of the unknown, and the sting of being overlooked can chip away at confidence—leading to burnout, anxiety, and even depression

What Candidates Don’t See: The Recruiter’s Reality

There’s a common belief that recruiters don’t care—especially when candidates experience ghosting or delayed responses. In some cases, poor communication from recruiters does happen. But many recruiters are just as frustrated as candidates.

Here’s what job seekers often don’t realize:

● Corporate recruiters work inside a company, juggling multiple open roles. They want to move candidates forward, but hiring managers drag their feet, budgets shift, and decisions stall.

● Independent (1099) recruiters don’t get paid unless candidates get hired, meaning they are deeply invested in a candidate’s success—but they still don’t control the final hiring decision.

● Recruiters advocate for candidates—but hiring managers and internal company policies dictate the pace. They are often waiting just like candidates.

When a hiring team goes silent, recruiters are often left in the dark too. It’s frustrating for everyone involved.

Bridging the Gap: How Candidates and Recruiters Can Work Together

Since both sides feel the strain, here’s how to work together more effectively:

Candidates: How to Get the Most Out of Working with a Recruiter

● Be upfront about your expectations. If a role isn’t the right fit, say so. If your priorities shift, keep your recruiter updated.

● Follow up—but be patient. If you haven’t heard back after an interview, checking in is fine—but remember, sometimes recruiters are still waiting on updates too.

● Keep a recruiter in your corner. Even if one opportunity doesn’t work out, a great recruiter will keep you in mind for future roles.

Recruiters: How to Support Candidates More Effectively

● Be transparent. If a hiring manager is dragging their feet, tell the candidate. If they are out of the running, be upfront when possible.

● Offer guidance, not just jobs. Not every candidate will get placed, but small pieces of advice—resume tweaks, industry insights, or encouragement—can make a big difference.

● Stay human. Candidates aren’t just résumés. Recognizing the emotional toll of the job search and offering real communication builds trust.

Faith and Career Alignment: Trusting the Process

For those who lean on faith, job searching isn’t just about résumés and interviews—it’s a journey of patience, trust, and resilience. When door after door closes, it’s tempting to question your worth or feel like nothing is working in your favor. But sometimes, rejection isn’t rejection—it’s redirection.

Waiting doesn’t mean wasting. Delays don’t mean denial. If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or uncertain, know that this season isn’t pointless. It’s preparing you.

If you’re in the waiting, hold onto these truths:

● A “no” now doesn’t mean “no” forever. Some opportunities come back around when the timing is right. What’s meant for you will find you.

● Closed doors are sometimes protection. What looks like rejection may be saving you from an environment that wouldn’t serve your growth, peace, or purpose.

● God’s plans will always exceed yours. The right opportunity won’t just meet financial needs—it will align with your values, gifts, and calling.

We live in a world that pushes urgency, but purpose isn’t rushed. Just as seasons change, so do opportunities. Keep preparing, keep believing, and keep trusting that the right door will open at the right time.

"For everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." – Ecclesiastes 3:1

And if scripture isn’t your thing, no worries—this wisdom isn’t exclusive to the Bible. The Byrds (yes, long before Kendrick was shaking up the industry) turned it into a hit song, "Turn! Turn! Turn!"—which, fun fact, is basically Ecclesiastes 3:1 set to music.

No matter where you find your inspiration, the truth remains: life moves in seasons. What feels like a delay now may actually be positioning you for something greater. Stay patient, keep pushing forward, and trust that the right door will open at the right time.

Your waiting is not wasted. Keep walking, keep believing—what’s ahead is worth it.

Final Thoughts: You Are More Than Your Résumé

If you’re job searching right now, don’t lose yourself in the process. You are not just a list of skills and experience—you are a person with unique strengths, talents, and value beyond what’s written on your résumé.

Keep showing up. Keep believing in yourself. Keep going. The right door will open when it’s time.

Special thanks to Haley ONeill for collecting this list for HR/People roles. Make sure to connect or follow her on LinkedIn for all things recruiting.

P.S. I am not the recruiter for these roles. Please do your due diligence and click the link that is provided to learn more about each role.

🪩 Bird, Sr. Manager, People Partnering: https://lnkd.in/ez9NgKKE

🦄 Airbnb, Senior Recruiting Project Specialist: https://lnkd.in/eTWytnpY

🪩 Motion, Technical Recruiter: https://lnkd.in/eZXb6t7Y

🦄 MongoDB, Lead, Global Recruiting Events: https://lnkd.in/enKviSfu

🪩 OLIPOP PBC, VP, Total Rewards and Engagement: https://lnkd.in/eKUEZEkP

🦄 Compucom, Talent Insights Specialist: https://lnkd.in/ej5idvwe

🪩 DoorDash, Director, People Business Partners: https://lnkd.in/e5PDFnMb

🦄 Sprout Social, Inc., Enterprise Sales Recruiter: https://lnkd.in/eYBKimdn

🪩 Brightline, Clinical Recruiter: https://lnkd.in/eQ5WU6VE

🦄 Avalara, Director, Talent Management & Early Careers Programs: https://lnkd.in/eMjH4aM6

WISDOM OF THE DAY:
April will be filled with peace.
April will be filled with blessings.
April will be filled with happiness.
April will be filled with good news.
April will be filled with success.
April will be filled with job openings and job offers.
April will be filled with new beginnings. ✨