“Nobody understands me!” – Something we said as teenagers, but feel as adults.

As much as we like to compartmentalize our lives (“love life,” “work life,” etc.), the reality is that every facet of how we spend our time contributes to our overall experience.

That’s why every career story is individual – and why you feel that no one “gets” it.

But here’s what I’ve learned after working with hundreds of clients, from SNL comics to hedge fund managers:

The most unique career problems almost always have a common cause.

– “I hate my boss” and “I’m afraid to speak up in meetings” can point to the same toxic workplace.

– “My dream job is too big a shift” and “I’m aging out of my industry” can both mean that more training is needed.

– “My experience isn’t impressive” and “my field is too saturated” can both stem from low self-confidence and not knowing how to present yourself effectively.

Here are some affirmations that every job-seeker needs to hear:

Everyone has skills that can be monetized.

Even if you have been out of the workforce for years, your activities point to talents that you can tap into.

Everything is learnable.

YouTube and online courses offer a world of knowledge at your fingertips.

There are multiple routes to the same destination.

An example: If you’re introverted but want to network, you can use LinkedIn, Slack channels, and job boards to make professional connections.

You don’t have to quit cold-turkey. Perhaps your dream job requires you to take night classes after your current gig.

Some career shifts are years in the making, and that’s ok.

-Kelley Joyce, MBA, CPC

p.s. Ready to achieve career clarity? Let's talk live via video; book your consult here.

Kelley is a career development coach who is dedicated to helping people discover their career path and land their dream jobs. Kelley and her partner Josh live in New York City from which she has served hundreds of professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Australia since 2012 to radically change their relationship with work.