Psychology of the Job Search: Caution – Things are Not Always as They Appear  

Have you ever felt absolutely certain about something, only to realize later that the opposite was actually true? I’ve encountered that situation all too many times in my life. For example, my brain tells me something is going to hurt, but it actually doesn’t. Or my brain tells me something should be difficult, but it turns out to be easy.  

These are just a couple of examples of thought distortions. Basically, thought distortions are habitual errors in thinking, and they usually are negatively biased. Aka – Not Good!   

All of us probably experience them, and we can usually shake them off – hopefully with a laugh. But if they’re repeated often enough, they can increase anxiety, cause relational challenges, deepen depression, and potentially lead to other complications.   

Thought Distortions

With stressors already hitting high being unemployed or unfulfilled, thought distortions can easily become the norm rather than the exception. Here are a few I’ve encountered over the years of supporting people going through a job transition: 

1. All or Nothing Thinking: Classifying things as falling into only one of two categories; thinking in extremes. For example, “Since I didn’t land the role at Joe’s Tire Shop, I’ll never get a job!”   

2. Labeling: Reducing something to a single characteristic or descriptor. “Just because I’ve had three jobs in three years, doesn’t mean I’m a job hopper.” 

3. Mind reading: Assuming what others think. “After being a teacher all these years, how will I explain to people that I’ve always really wanted to be an airline pilot?” 

4. Exaggerated thinking: Making a situation into something bigger than it is. “I can’t believe I got a rejection notice from ABC Company! My resume lined up perfectly with the job description! I’ll never get a job!” 

5. Fortune telling: Predicting the future. “If that recruiter doesn’t call me back today, I’m just sure I’ll never get that job!” 

6. Unhelpful rules: Following strict rules that run counter to your goals. “I have to fill out four job applications every day, and then I’ll focus on networking.” 

7. Catastrophize: Ordinary worries quickly escalate. “Since I haven’t gotten a job within the first month of my job transition, I’m sure we’re going to lose the house!” 

8. Overgeneralize: When a conclusion is reached about one event and then applied across the board. “Oh no, Acme Agency turned me down!  No one is going to want to hire me!” 

9. Emotional reasoning: The false belief that your emotions are truth. That your feelings reflect reality. “I don’t feel like the hiring manager understood me. My work experience must not be good enough!” 

10. Personalization: Taking things personally when they’re not related to you at all. “I bet I didn’t get that job because the recruiter thinks I’m too old!” 

Yep, you guessed it!  Scripture has something to say about our thought habits!   

Combat Lies with the Truth

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” 

Philippians 4:8 further instructs with, “Finally, brother and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” 

2 Corinthians 10:5 summarizes these well with, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 

With those foundational truths, here are some steps to help you apply that teaching to your situation. 

Identify Thought Distortion

First, identify the thought distortion. As with many challenges, awareness and identification is literally half the battle. Recognizing these rascals, so you can defend yourself against them, is a big step! Your moods can help you figure this out. When you’re in a bad mood, ask yourself, “Why?” Odds are high you’ll spot the thought distortion culprit. 

Reframe the Situation

Second, reframe the situation. Look for shades of blue, objective evidence, alternative explanations, and positive interpretations to expand or shift your thinking. Talking to someone (like a Crossroads Guide – CLICK HERE) can be very helpful. Often others with a fresh perspective can quickly navigate you through the distortion. 

Apply a Cost-Benefit Analysis

Third, apply a cost-benefit analysis. As humans, we usually repeat behaviors that deliver some type of benefit to us. Applying negative thinking to ourselves doesn’t mean we are ill-intended, it just means we derive some benefit from it. For example, it allows us to blow off steam or it allows us to avoid taking responsibility. (Yikes!) 

Take Accountability

And that brings us to the fourth step, take accountability. Ask yourself, “What more could I have done to get a different result?” Avoid the victim mentality that can easily creep in whenever we find ourselves in a distorted reality. Allow yourself to climb back into control of your thoughts and emotions with a firm grip on a realistic perspective of all that you can do or influence to get a different result! 

Satan, the great deceiver, loves to see our thinking distorted. We are not at our best and not effective when that happens. Turn the tables on the lies he feeds to you with Scriptural truth and practical application! Use a Biblical lens to see things as they truly are! 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.