Stephanie Briscoe, LCMHCS NCC CEAP | September 17, 2025

You walk across that stage, degree in hand BA, Master’s, PhD, trade certificate and expect doors to open. But instead, the inbox fills with rejection letters (or worse, silence). Job descriptions match your degree exactly, but hiring managers say, “You’re not the right fit” or “We need more experience.” It’s enough to make anyone feel discouraged.

In therapy, I’ve seen young adults wrestling with this gap between expectations and reality. They were told that education equals opportunity, but today’s market feels stacked against them. And truthfully, I’ve had moments of this same anxiety myself. Using my ARC Mentality™ (Accountability, Relatability, Consistency), I’ve learned that what looks like failure is often just a shift in how we need to approach the challenge.

The Market Is Tough—And That’s Fueling Anxiety

It’s not just in your head: companies are pulling back. In 2025 alone, more than 100,000 layoffshave already hit the tech sector, led by companies like Intel and Microsoft (Tom’s Hardware). Across industries, nearly 62,000 layoffs occurred in the first five months of the year across 284 companies (Times of India). And while millions of jobs are still open, the total number of postings is falling (Reuters).

No wonder anxiety spikes. Thoughts like “Maybe my degree isn’t worth it” or “There are more graduates than jobs” creep in, triggering all-or-nothing thinking. You may avoid applying, ruminate on every “no,” or catastrophize that you’ll never land your dream role.

Reframing the Job Hunt

Here’s the truth: rejection doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. It often means the system is saturated, slow, or focused on internal hires. Shifting how you interpret rejection helps reduce the sting and keeps you in the game. Instead of “I failed,” reframe it as “That wasn’t the right match, but I’m still building momentum.”

Practical Steps to Take

To manage both the anxiety and the process, consider these strategies:

• Relentless but professional follow-up. After an interview, always get a contact email and send a thank-you. Keep yourself memorable without being pushy.
• Network with purpose. Attend professional meetups, alumni events, or virtual panels. Visibility matters sometimes more than your GPA.
• Tailor your resume. Create multiple versions: standard, functional (skills-based), and CV. Customize them to the role. Need help? Connect with Joseph Briscoe, an executive life coach who specializes in career transitions.
• Accountability partners. Rejection fatigue is real. Having someone check in can help you process discouragement and keep you applying.
• Join your association. Professional groups are often where opportunities circulate before they hit the job boards.

What Not to Do

• Don’t abandon your field completely. Pivot if needed, but don’t walk away just because the climb is tough. In the meantime, invest in hobbies or side projects blogging, creating, or learning something new that feed you instead of draining you.
• Don’t isolate. Sitting alone with rejection letters can worsen negative self-talk. Share the journey with peers or mentors.

A Word to Employers

If you’re on the hiring side, ask yourself: how are you treating candidates? With today’s technology, it costs nothing to generate a polite “we’ve chosen someone else” letter. Yet too often, applicants hear nothing at all. The silence compounds anxiety and fuels the sense of being just another number. Respectful communication yes, even rejections help people feel seen. That human touch could be the difference between a discouraged graduate and a future loyal employee.

Final Encouragement

Graduating was never meant to be the finish line. It’s the start of a new climb and like any climb, it takes persistence, reframing, and support. Anxiety will whisper that you’re falling behind, but every application, every interview, every connection is practice that strengthens your resilience.

And if the weight of rejection starts feeling heavier than you can carry alone, don’t wait until it breaks you down. Seek out professional help. Therapy can equip you to challenge the negative thoughts, regulate anxiety, and build a healthier mindset for the job hunt ahead.

About the Author

Stephanie Briscoe, NCC, LCMHCS, LPCS, CEAP, is the CEO and Lead Clinician of Mirror 2 the Heart PLLC, a faith-based counseling, coaching, and consulting practice serving North Carolina and South Carolina. She is the creator of the ARC Mentality™ framework helping individuals apply Accountability, Relatability, and Consistency to overcome life’s challenges, including the anxiety of the job search.

References

• Tech layoffs in 2025, including over 100,000 roles cut in the tech sector. Tom’s Hardware.
• Job openings drop while hiring remains cautious. Reuters.
• Layoffs in 2025: Google, Microsoft, Intel in 284 technology companies that cut jobs in first 5 months of the year. Times of India.