Finding Peace of Mind in Your Job Search

Here are some recent headlines/data affecting our employment. What impact, if any, should these have on your job search or career planning? 

• The job market enters a new phase as the Great Resignation ends (CNN Business, 6/13/23) 
• AI could automate 70% of work (Forbes, 6/16/23) 
• The number of people quitting their jobs fell by 49,000 in April compared to March (Bureau of Labor Statistics) 
• 43.5% of consumers said they believe jobs are “plentiful.” That’s down 4% from just one month earlier (the Conference Board, 5/30/23) 
• The US economy added 339,000 jobs in May 2023 (Bureau of Labor Statistics) 
• 59% of workers are “quiet quitting,” meaning that they are not engaged with their job; and 18% are “loud quitting”, or actively disengaged (but still employed). (Gallup, 6/13/23) 
• 68% of young adults “view their work mainly as a way to make a living,” and not as a major part of their identity or personal fulfillment (Bank of America / Georgetown University survey, 6/13/23) 
• Wages grew 6% on an annualized basis in May 2023, compared to May 2022 (Federal Reserve Bank, Atlanta, 6/8/23) 

In addition to the bullets above, I could have easily come up with double the number of bullets from additional headlines/data. If you’re like many people scanning these, or similar, headlines and data points, it’s easy to become a bit confused, and maybe even frustrated, with trying to decide your next move. 

While that may seem overwhelming, here is something to consider. If I went back to the Y2K landscape in 1999, the Great Recession (2007-2009), or the recent Pandemic (2020-2022), we’d have yet another list of headlines/data that could be viewed as troubling, concerning, or confusing. 

There is Nothing New Under the Sun

Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 tells us, “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, ‘See this is new?’  It has already been in ancient times before us.” 

One of my favorite references for Biblical interpretations, Gotquestions.org, says, “As a modern idiom, ‘there’s nothing new under the sun’ is often used as a world-weary complaint against life’s monotony. To say there is nothing new under the sun does not ignore inventions or advances in technology; rather, these innovations do not amount to any basic change in the world. In Solomon’s time, many advances took place in society, but, from the larger perspective of life, human nature has remained and always will remain the same.”  

Here’s my point. Despite the constant of ongoing change, the fundamentals of our employment journeys remain the same.    

Much like human nature, the grounding principles to make sound decisions for our career planning and job search are foundational. While there are many new elements facing us, the principles laid out in many of our Crossroads Career blogs, our workbooks (You Are Created for Good Works, and Hear God Calling You), and our podcasts have been proven over decades to work effectively. 

God Never Changes

Let’s not forget, God never changes, and He can always be trusted. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” And while God is speaking to the Israelites here about their future release from exile, (words which none of them living at the time would experience, since God promised their deliverance would come in 70 years), He is telling them that they can have peace NOW in knowing God’s promise for their future. Similarly, for us, we can have hope for our spiritual future through God’s promises in Scripture. 

So, no matter where you may be in your current job search or career planning, don’t let the headlines/data phase you too much. While we do need to pay attention to the market, the fundamentals won’t change. Stay grounded in scripture and be encouraged by wise counsel. We have Crossroads Guides that would love to connect with you during a free consultation to discuss what the next steps in your journey might be. Click HERE to get connected with one. Blessings! 

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Dave Sparkman currently serves as the volunteer Crossroads Career board chair and local ministry leader. He is also the founder and managing director of Spark Your Culture, a corporate culture consulting firm. Prior to that he worked at UnitedHealth Group, a Fortune #5 public company, serving in the role of Chief Culture Officer. His unemployment experience came from the implosion of Arthur Andersen, where he served as the West Region Managing Partner, People.