Breaking the Routine: Why Courage and Change Matter in Today’s Job Search

Or Bar Cohen
Sep 22
3 min read

Link to the previous article: https://www.everythinghr-or.com/post/the-courage-to-break-the-routine-in-job-search

Many job seekers say they are “doing everything right”: sending résumés, applying online, connecting on LinkedIn. Yet when asked if they tried anything different than the month before, the answer is usually no. Routine feels safe, but repeating the same actions rarely creates new results (Akkermans & Kubasch, 2017).

The Comfort of Routine - and Its Hidden Trap

Comfort zones provide stability during uncertainty, but they can also trap us. Bandura (1997) reminds us that self-efficacy—the belief in our ability to influence outcomes—is central to motivation. Routines protect that feeling of safety but often mask the absence of real progress.

Career construction theory (Savickas, 2013) shows that growth occurs when individuals reinterpret experiences and test new directions. Granovetter’s (1995) “strength of weak ties” demonstrates that opportunities often arise not from familiar contacts, but from unexpected connections. In other words, routine can keep us busy without moving us forward.

When Small Changes Create Big Shifts

Breaking routine does not require radical reinvention. Research on job search self-regulation suggests that even minor adjustments can create a meaningful impact (Kanfer, Wanberg, & Kantrowitz, 2001).

A resume framed around achievements instead of tasks tells a stronger story. Reaching out to professionals outside one’s industry can unlock hidden opportunities. These small shifts restore a sense of agency and resilience, even when results are not immediate.

Practical Strategies to Break the Routine

Reframe your story - Replace task lists with evidence of achievements and impact.
Diversify your network - Go beyond recruiters: connect with peers, mentors, or adjacent industries.
Redefine rejection - Treat each “no” as feedback for refinement.
Micro-learning as momentum - Add new skills through short courses or certifications to show adaptability.
Be visible - Comment, post, and share insights in professional communities; familiarity builds trust.
Experiment with outreach - Unconventional conversations can spark unexpected opportunities.
Balance persistence with creativity - Consistency matters, but without variation, it leads to burnout.

Why Courage Matters

Courage in the job search means stepping into uncertainty: sending a message that feels uncomfortable, attending an event where you know no one, or presenting yourself in a bold new way. Research confirms that individuals who experiment despite uncertainty achieve higher satisfaction and long-term success (Akkermans & Kubasch, 2017).

Organizations mirror this dynamic. Companies that cling to routines struggle to innovate, while those willing to adapt thrive. The same applies to careers—growth belongs to those who dare to break patterns.

Closing Reflections

Routine can feel safe, but transformation rarely comes from doing more of the same. It comes from experimenting with new approaches, reframing stories, and embracing the discomfort of growth. The candidates who adapt and innovate are the ones who find opportunities waiting just beyond their comfort zone.

References

Akkermans, J., & Kubasch, S. (2017). Trending topics in careers: A review and future research agenda. Career Development International, 22(6), 586–627. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-08-2017-0143
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.
Granovetter, M. (1995). Getting a job: A study of contacts and careers (2nd ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Kanfer, R., Wanberg, C. R., & Kantrowitz, T. M. (2001). Job search and employment: A personality–motivational analysis and meta-analytic review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(5), 837–855. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.5.837
Savickas, M. L. (2013). Career construction theory and practice. In R. W. Lent & S. D. Brown (Eds.), Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work (2nd ed., pp. 147–183). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.