The Perfectionism Cycle: How it’s Sabotaging Your Job Search (And How to Fix It) | #146

 

If the job search keeps dragging on because things never feel quite “ready,” this episode puts a name to what’s happening; perfectionism. Today’s conversation breaks down how perfectionism quietly stalls momentum by pulling attention into small details while the bigger goal slips further away. We'll walk through the cycle perfectionism creates, how it shows up in resumes, interviews, and decision-making, and why it feels productive—even when it’s not.

More importantly, this episode helps you identify where perfectionism is coming from and what kind of shift actually gets you moving again. The goal isn’t to do things perfectly, but to act decisively, preserve energy, and focus on what truly drives results.

 

You’ll learn:

✔ The perfectionism cycle that quietly kills job-search momentum

✔ How to recognize when “refining” turns into avoidance

✔ The three different scenarios perfectionism usually falls into

✔ Why decisiveness creates clarity faster than over-research

✔ How to choose the right support to break the cycle and move forward

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Patricia Ortega is known for teaching a strategic, emotionally intelligent approach to job searching that emphasizes clarity over activity, quality over quantity, and positioning over credentials—helping mid-career professionals rise above crowded applicant pools and land aligned roles faster.