Career Currents — September 2026

Dear Friends,

This month, I want to talk about a trend that is touching many job seekers: job search fatigue. I also want to share why curiosity remains one of the most reliable antidotes to the changes we face at work. And I close with a reflection on James Martin’s new book, A Work in Progress, which offers a gentle reminder that every role shapes who we become.

I appreciate hearing from so many of you. Your calls, emails, and messages mean a great deal. Keep them coming.

Warmly,
David Bolz
Career Coach

One Trend Shaping the 2026 Job Market

What experienced professionals seeking career growth need to know right now

Why Job Search Fatigue Is Rising—and How to Break Through It

Many clients tell me they feel worn down by the job search. They wonder if something is wrong with them or if the market has shifted. The truth is simple: job search fatigue is a growing trend, and it has clear causes. Over the last decade, Americans have spent more time between jobs and faced slower, more complex hiring cycles. Even strong candidates feel the strain.

What Changed in Hiring: Employers added more interviews, assessments, and automated screening. The pandemic created long periods of unemployment for millions. Post-pandemic hiring surged, then cooled. Today, AI filters applications before a human ever sees them. Many job seekers feel invisible, even when they are highly qualified. These forces extend the search and drain energy. National hiring benchmarks from SHRM and LinkedIn Talent Solutions show that average time-to-hire has nearly doubled in the last three years.

Longer timelines drain energy. They stretch the search. They make even confident professionals question their value.

Your Move, Regain Control: A focused search shortens the timeline. When clients narrow their target roles and identify specific employers, they regain control. Human contact matters more than ever. Conversations, introductions, and informational interviews cut through automated systems. A refreshed narrative—clear, confident, and aligned—boosts response rates. Weekly rituals create momentum and reduce anxiety. Project-based volunteering or consulting rebuilds confidence and may lead to paid work.

Job search fatigue is real, but it is not permanent. With a trusted partner, a clear plan, and steady action, clients move forward. They rediscover their strengths, rebuild their confidence, and step toward work that fits who they are now. The next opportunity is closer than they think.

Quick Tips & Resources

Curiosity changes conversations. It opens doors that networking alone cannot.

Earlier this summer, I returned to my alma mater, Canisius University, to facilitate a networking workshop for a remarkable cohort of Western New York Prosperity Fellows. Their questions sparked deeper conversations, fresh collaborations, and new insights. You could feel the energy shift as curiosity took the lead.

One student referenced a memorable Ted Lasso moment where Ted chooses curiosity over judgment. It’s worth watching on YouTube. The lesson is simple and lasting: curiosity keeps us open, and openness creates opportunity. The same dynamic applies to seasoned professionals—curiosity shifts conversations from transactional to relational.

What I’ve Been Reading

James Martin, a Jesuit priest and bestselling author, writes about faith, work, and everyday spiritual growth. A Work in Progress reminds us that every job shapes who we become. He shares vivid stories from his early work life scooping ice cream, caddying, and spending long days in a factory. These roles helped him pay for college, but they also taught him how to work with others, understand himself, and appreciate the value of ordinary human relationships.

His path to the priesthood did not follow a straight line. It grew from these early experiences and the people who influenced him along the way. Martin shows that our work lives are never wasted. Each role adds insight, resilience, and direction.

We are all “works in progress.”

Would Love to Hear From You

Explore my website at: Outer Harbor Coach

Schedule a convenient time to catch up: Calendly - David Bolz

If someone in your world is navigating a career transition, I’d be glad to be a steady partner.

© 2026 CareerCOACH™ Services of the Outer Harbor · Buffalo, NY. Career Currents is a monthly newsletter. If you know someone considering a career change, please forward it to them.