How I Maintained a Growth Mindset 

as an Unemployed Marketing Manager

Six strategies that helped me stay resilient, develop new skills, and land my next role

A job search—especially an extended one—can test your confidence, patience, and sense of direction. What helped me navigate this uncertain period was embracing a growth mindset: the belief that abilities and outcomes can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Rather than seeing every rejection as a failure, I treated each one as a signal—something I could learn from, refine, and improve upon. This mindset didn’t just help me stay motivated—it gave me a framework to approach each week with curiosity, creativity, and resilience.

For anyone curious (especially fellow data lovers), here’s what that journey looked like by the numbers:

• Countless applications
• 46 companies contacted
• 90+ interviews
• 5 case studies

It was challenging, humbling, and at times, exhausting. But through it all, I stayed committed to maintaining a growth mindset. Instead of focusing solely on outcomes, I focused on learning, creating value, and staying connected to the kind of work I love.

If you’re in the middle of your own job search—or supporting someone who is—here are six things that made a real difference for me:

 I Invested in Interview Coaching

After tracking my progress across companies, I saw a clear pattern: I was getting plenty of first-round interviews, but struggling to move through the full loop. That insight led me to seek professional coaching.

The results were immediate. With outside feedback, I fine-tuned how I told my story, handled case studies, and navigated tough questions. It was the smartest investment I made in myself during this time.

Doubled Down on Data Analysis

As a performance marketer, I knew that sharpening my analytics skills would pay dividends. I spent part of my downtime sourcing datasets and building dashboards in Tableau.

One project involved FBI theft data—and word to the wise: unless it’s your car, stolen items don’t usually come back!

👉 Check out the dashboard

Beyond the technical skills, these projects gave me a sense of progress and control—something that’s easy to lose in a long job search.

Volunteered My Skills

One of the most fulfilling things I did was volunteer with Catchafire, a platform that connects professionals with nonprofits. I helped a small organization maximize its Google Ad Grants spend—a meaningful challenge that reminded me how valuable marketing can be when used for impact.

And as it turns out, that volunteer work helped me build a relationship that ultimately led to my current role. Sometimes giving back can move you forward.

Took a Part-Time Contract

To stay sharp and grounded, I accepted a short-term contract with a digital marketing agency. It kept my skills fresh and gave me a much-needed confidence boost during a time when rejection was common.

That experience reminded me that unemployment wasn’t a reflection of my capabilities—it was a reflection of the job market.

Explored the Entrepreneurial Path

I seriously considered launching my own venture, and while I didn’t take the leap, I learned a lot in the process. I found excellent resources from SCORE, a nonprofit that provides mentoring for small business owners.

Whether or not entrepreneurship is right for you, exploring this route can shift your perspective in a powerful way—from “job seeker” to “opportunity creator.”

Found something to optimize

As a marketing manager, not finding optimization opportunities during the job search felt like I had lost part of myself. To keep grounded and learning I leanded into Pinterest to market my blog and to grow a following. I even learned a little but about marketing automation though testing out tailwind. OK, I may have only grown to 50 followers, but I did get data on what resonated with an audience on this visual platform and my account to over 13,000 views. You can check out my board here.

Final Thoughts

Job searching, especially during uncertain times, can feel isolating and unpredictable. But you’re not powerless. With a growth mindset and a strategy rooted in learning, connection, and purpose, it’s possible to come out stronger.

If you’re currently navigating a job search and any of these strategies resonate with you, I’d love to hear about it. And if you’re looking for an interview coach recommendation, I’m happy to share what worked for me—just reach out.