Could you use a little encouragement as you are looking for a job or contemplating a career change?
I think that we could all use that from time to time… To that end, I put together a list of twenty motivational quotes for job seekers that you may find helpful.
My hope is that reading them will remind you that it is only a matter of time before you will find the job that you are looking for and that if the process is taking longer than you would like, please keep on looking and refreshing your skills, you will get there!
Motivational Quotes for Job Seekers
“Every experience in your life is being orchestrated to teach you something you need to know to move forward.” – Brian Tracy
“The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.” – Dennis Waitley
“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi
“You’ll never please everyone, but you only have to please a few people to get an offer.” – Harvey MacKay
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” – Arthur Ashe
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I can’t do it” never yet accomplished anything; “I will try” has performed wonders.” – George P. Burnham
“Every new day is another chance to change your life.” – Unknown
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.” – Calvin Coolidge (30th President of the United States)
“Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on.” – Les Brown
“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.” – H. Jackson Browne
“If you will pump long enough, hard enough, and enthusiastically enough, sooner or later the effort will bring forth the reward.” – Zig Ziglar
“Don’t wait for your feelings to change to take the action. Take the action and your feelings will change.” – Barbara Baron
“An obstacle may be either a stepping stone or a stumbling block.” – Unknown
“If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” – Harvey MacKay
“Review your goals twice every day in order to be focused on achieving them.” – Les Brown
“Each time we face a fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.” – Unknown
“Losing is a learning experience. It teaches you humility. It teaches you to work harder. It’s also a powerful motivator.” – Yogi Berra
“All success is, really, is having a predetermined plan and carrying it out successfully over a long period of time.” – Harvey MacKay
“Success comes from taking the initiative and following up… persisting… What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?” – Tony Robbins
What did you think of these motivational quotes for job seekers? Was there one quote that you found particularly motivating and/or encouraging? Do you have any additional motivational quotes for job seekers that you’d like to share?
Last updated: December 29, 2025
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” – Arthur Ashe
I love this quote. I feel encouraged and validated when I read it. I think preparation is the one thing people tend to forget about.We see the fruit without always appreciating the work that made the harvest a success.
I’m so glad that reading Arthur Ashe’s quote provides you with encouragement and validation 🙂
And thank you for sharing just how it speaks to you…
My favorite quote is definitely Pres. Coolidge’s quote because it reminds us that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. I think Job searching isn’t only about getting paid(even though it helps), but it is truly about finding your purpose… which requires courage and hard work if we really want to get into alignment with what we were put here to do. Thanks for this, Dorlee!
Thanks, Mozart, for explaining why you like President Coolidge’s quote the most out of this list.
What I find so interesting is that these quotes have so much wisdom in them that people can find encouragement by different aspects of them…
Also thank you for the wisdom you are sharing: how our life’s work is about finding our purpose…and how this takes both courage and hard work…this is so true 🙂
Hi Dorlee! Loved all the quotes. How about two more?
When the job search isn’t quite going the way one wants, it’s good to remember… “You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” It’s what Christopher Robin said to Pooh and what we should say to ourselves so we don’t lose sight of the value we bring.
Then, “one of the best things you can do when the world is storming around you is to pause” per Mitch Thrower. And I agree. Sometimes when one is in job search mode, you don’t feel you can allow yourself to take a “pause”, but you can and should. The pause can give you the time you need to rejuvenate and reflect on the job search strategy to see if anything needs to be changed-up.
Take care and good luck on your search.
Hi Jackie,
Thanks so much for visiting and sharing these two wonderful quotes!
I love them both 🙂 Your first one (addressed to Pooh) is most encouraging and your second one addresses the important need for self-care during one’s job search journey…
Thanks again!
Quotes can be a wonderful springboard for motivation.
I think everyone is quotable, even though they may not be aware of it or those quotes may be hidden under a dust-cover, like furniture in a house, awaiting discovery.
Absolutely true and beautifully stated, Marianna!
I hope you realize that now you must come back and provide one of your own creation…
And I know I will love it 🙂
Great quotes! Thanks for sharing.
Doris
Thanks, Doris 🙂
Thanks for sharing nice quotes.
You are most welcome 🙂