In anticipation of next weekend’s “fall back” to standard time, those of us at Nationwide have been talking about how we experience time. As children, holidays couldn’t come soon enough, and summer vacation went by too fast. As adults, the alarm clock is set to ring at the same time each day, but on some mornings (usually after nights when we toss and turn) it seems earlier. The minutes race by when we’re late for work, and drag when we’re in an unproductive meeting. And the clock seems to turn most slowly when we’re stuck in a job we no longer enjoy—or unemployed and looking for work.

If you’re in the middle of a long job search, you’ve probably felt that strange elasticity of time firsthand. Days blur into weeks, and progress can feel painfully slow. Applications vanish into silence, interviews take weeks to schedule, and hiring decisions can stretch across entire seasons. It’s easy to feel powerless—but there are ways to make the time work for you instead of against you.

1. Reframe the Waiting Period

Job searches often involve more waiting than action, but that doesn’t mean you’re standing still. Every period of waiting is an opportunity to reflect, reset, and prepare. Review the roles you’ve applied for—are they truly aligned with your strengths and goals? Update your resume with new experiences or tailor it more precisely to the kinds of positions you want. Progress isn’t always visible; sometimes it’s about refining your direction.

2. Build Structure Into Your Days

Without a predictable workday, time can lose its shape. Give your days structure with routines that keep you grounded: dedicate specific hours for job applications, networking, and skill building. Include time for exercise, hobbies, and rest. A sense of rhythm—your own version of “standard time”—helps prevent the discouragement that comes from endless, unstructured days.

3. Celebrate Small Wins

Landing a new job may be the end goal, but every positive step along the way counts: updating your LinkedIn profile, reconnecting with a former colleague, attending a virtual info session, or receiving a reply from a recruiter. Each action is proof that you’re moving forward. Keep a simple progress journal to remind yourself how far you’ve come.

4. Stay Connected

Isolation can make the waiting feel longer. Reach out to professional networks, attend local government or sector meetups, or volunteer for community events that align with your career interests. Not only does this expand your network, but it also keeps you engaged with the world you want to work in. You never know which conversation could lead to your next opportunity.

5. Be Patient with Yourself

Just like the changing of the clocks, some seasons of life move at their own pace. Your timeline may not match someone else’s, and that’s okay. The time you spend now—reflecting, learning, connecting—can be what prepares you for the role that’s truly the right fit.

As we turn our clocks back and the days grow shorter, remember that your search won’t last forever. Momentum builds quietly, and one day soon, you’ll look back and realize that the long wait was what led you to the right place, at exactly the right time.

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