You’ve probably heard the term best fit or ideal candidate quite a bit if you’ve been applying for new jobs, submitting college applications, or simply sifting through your long-term career goals. Employers know who they want, and usually what they want, in the hiring process. However, sometimes that’s not always clear on the other end and candidates can find themselves with many mixed messages. (Psst! Can’t get hired? Watch this free tutorial.) Aspiring to be the perfect fit for a new position is a job in itself. After all, no one’s perfect, and everyone is unique. But what do you do when you’ve received the infamous rejection email for the umpteenth time? How will you possibly bounce back from not being the best fit after nailing the first or second interview, time and time again? Here are a few ways to grow as a candidate, and own not being the ideal fit:

Life can seem like a real tug of war sometimes. Things can be going perfect and then suddenly take a turn for the worse.

Sometimes the right job takes a little longer than expected. It could be weeks, months, or even years for you to land the right role. You may start to feel like no matter how much time you spend filling out job applications, refining your cover letter, or taking the time to reach out to prospective companies, that you just can’t catch a break. (Psst! Can’t get hired? Watch this free tutorial.) This leaves you feeling defeated, worthless, stuck, and more likely to settle for a job that will change the course of your career for the worse. If this sounds like you, you should know that what you’re experiencing is burnout, and that you are not alone in how you feel. A job search can feel like full-time job, and can be utterly draining. It’s incredibly easy to lose your motivation when things aren’t looking up, but we’re here to change that. Here are six ways you can hack your job search when you’re at the lowest of lows: