What Are You Missing by Rushing Your Job Search?

If you’ve ever felt like you should be further along in your job search by now, you’re not alone.

It’s easy to equate speed with progress.

But sometimes, the smartest thing you can do… is pause.

I recently had an interview every day for 10 days straight. I was in go-mode, thinking momentum would carry me through. And it did… until it didn’t.

I started to feel burnt out. My interview performance dipped. And I realized I wasn’t showing up as the best version of myself.

That’s when I remembered a lesson I’ve learned the hard way (more than once):

Sometimes, you have to slow down to go fast.

Because when you’re rushing, it’s easy to miss the deeper signals:

• You stop asking the questions that would help you assess fit.
• You fall into “fit the mold” mode, rather than having a meaningful, two-way conversation.
• You’re moving so fast, you forget to check if you’re headed in the right direction.

Slowing down doesn’t mean stopping. It means stepping back long enough to make better decisions.

Here’s what it can look like:

• Taking a few days off from interviews to rest and reset
• Reconnecting with what matters most to you in your next role
• Asking deeper questions in interviews about decision-making, culture, or trust

And if you're not taking action at all, it may be time to do the opposite and choose 2–3 small, doable steps to rebuild momentum this week.

So what actually went wrong (and how slowing down could have helped)

#1 - I got tired and it showed.

The back-to-back pace left me drained, and I noticed my performance decline. If I had spaced things out, I would have shown up sharper and more prepared for the roles I was genuinely excited about. I’ve since learned that my sweet spot is no more than 3 interviews per week. That gives me enough time to rest, reflect, and prep well.

Everyone’s capacity is different, but it’s worth figuring out your own ceiling.

#2 - I became too flexible on my must-haves.

When I’m in nonstop motion, I’m more likely to ignore red flags or bend on things that are actually really important to me like working with a team that values trust and evidence-based decision-making. Slowing down gave me the space to get clear again on what I need in my next role.

#3 - I didn’t ask about hiring timelines.

This one surprised me. I assumed most companies were moving quickly and didn’t think to ask about their timelines. In hindsight, most (with the exception of one) weren’t. If I had slowed down and asked, I could’ve prioritized better by focusing first on companies with faster processes, and spreading out the rest.

The good news? I gained a lot more than I lost

This experience helped me get even clearer on what I want:

• A company with seasoned leadership and established structure
• A culture that values data-driven decisions and trust
• A role that builds on my past experience and aligns with where I’m headed

It also reminded me that the job search is unpredictable. Some doors will open quickly, others slowly, and a few may quietly close. You don’t need to control it all - you just need to keep going, stay grounded, and show up ready.

Want to check in with yourself? Ask:

1. Where might I be rushing through this process?
2. Is my performance in interviews, applications, or networking starting to dip?
3. What might I be missing by focusing only on speed?
4. Would a short pause help me reflect and show up better?

Job searching isn’t a sprint. It’s a season. And sometimes, the smartest thing you can do… is slow down.

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