I’m Officially Done Applying for Jobs

Why I stopped sending resumes into the void and started building, learning, and connecting instead.

I wrote this post on LinkedIn yesterday about officially being done with applying for jobs.

That post prompted me to write a little more than just a LinkedIn post - to share why I’m frustrated with the job search process, and why I’m choosing to take a different approach.

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When the Applications Stop Feeling Human

Every job I’ve ever had came through people - through conversations, connections, and mutual trust. Someone believed I could deliver on what they needed, and often, on things beyond that. Those opportunities didn’t come from resumes or algorithms. They came from human connections.

So when I re-entered the job market after my career break, I did what everyone says you’re supposed to do: applied on company websites, requested internal referrals, and even hit “Easy Apply” on LinkedIn. Each time, I’d tweak my resume, rewrite my cover letter, and hope the system picked up the right keywords. And each time, I got the same automated email:

“Thank you for applying. Unfortunately, we’ve decided to move forward with another applicant.”

After a while, it stopped feeling like rejection and started feeling like invisibility.

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A Quiet Rebellion

I’ve realized I hate boasting about myself on paper. I’d much rather show you what I can do than try to convince an algorithm that I’m worth a second look.

The past six months have been my quiet rebellion against the traditional job search. I didn’t announce it or plan it… I think it just started shifting the moment I launched Empower the Gap. Slowly, I found myself spending less time refreshing job boards and more time building, writing, and connecting. I was still applying here and there, but the frequency started dropping. And honestly, my mental health improved because of it.

There’s burnout that comes from overworking, and then there’s burnout that comes from under-recognition. That second kind is what finally broke me. So I stopped trying to fit into a system that wasn’t designed for the way I work or the life stage I’m in.

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Building, Learning, Connecting

These days, I’m focused on learning and creating in ways that feel meaningful. I’ve been diving deep into AI tools and learning something I call vibe coding. I’m no expert, but I’m not a novice either. I’ve learned to troubleshoot, experiment, and search for my own answers instead of waiting for permission.

I also built an app called What We Ordered - a food review app that helps families remember which dishes they loved (and which to skip next time). It’s not the next big tech product, but it’s a start. When the first signups came in, I felt that little rush - the kind you get when something you imagined suddenly exists in the world. I’m working on a post to share my process and how I came up with the idea + what all I did to get it to where it is today.

And I’ve started networking differently. I’ve been back on Lunchclub again, meeting new people and brainstorming with people from all walks and stages of life. Through these meetings, I connected with another mom, and we’re now planning a brainstorming session to explore how we might collaborate. There’s no clarity if anything will come of it, but then again, you never know what might unfold. These conversations feel more alive, more real, than any application I’ve ever sent.

This new approach feels liberating. It’s empowering because I can see progress in what I’m doing. The rejection emails sting less when I can switch tabs and see something I’m building. It’s also scary because imposter syndrome loves to whisper: “What are you even doing?” or “Does any of this make sense as a career path?”

Some days, I worry I’m just throwing spaghetti at the wall - launching a clothing brand, starting this publication, doing self-initiated user research, curating a newsletter on family-friendly events. But you know what? It’s purposeful spaghetti. Each thing I create teaches me something new, introduces me to someone interesting, or makes me just a little braver. And that, to me, is progress.

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Redefining Meaningful Work

I believe the future of work is built around personal autonomy, collaboration, and creative freedom. Meaningful work is the kind that draws you to your desk… the kind you can’t stop thinking about, the kind that keeps your mind curious even after the laptop closes. It’s less about climbing ladders and more about connecting dots. Less about job titles and more about contribution.

Maybe “work” isn’t one big thing anymore - maybe it’s a collection of small, meaningful projects that help us grow, learn, and connect.

So no, I haven’t stopped working. I’ve just stopped applying. Instead, I’m experimenting, learning, and creating - all with the hope that these steps will elevate my profile so recruiters notice or founders reach out, curious about what I might bring to the table for them. The journey feels uncertain but it also feels mine.

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Curious to hear from you: How did you land the opportunity or project you’re in now? Was it through applying or through connecting? Or maybe, like me, you’re still somewhere in between.

👇 I’d love to hear your story.