Creative Career Level Up

‘I lost the job and felt relieved… is that normal?’

Aug 15, 2025

Today I’m analysing the situation of Alice. Alice connected with me via a coaching session to get help with her job hunt.

Alice had been speaking to a company about a “bridge role” - something to tide her over while she kept looking for her dream job. They made a strong offer, and she felt the conversations were serious. She even had a call with the leadership team to go over the scope of the role.

But then, without warning, the offer disappeared.

What’s the challenge?

After that final call, Alice got an email saying the company had changed their mind. They said they needed someone more immediate. And because of her upcoming travel plans, they couldn’t wait.

On paper, it sounded like a loss. But Alice’s first feeling….Relief.

She admitted to me she didn’t really want the job. She’d had doubts about the scope. The role felt more operational than she’d hoped. 

Plus it was five days in-office. And it would have left her no time to continue job hunting or take interviews.

Even though the money was good and a move-on in terms of leadership responsibility, she just couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d be stuck.

How can she move forward?

Alice had already started doing the right thing: researching companies she genuinely admired and looking at how to build connections there, even if they weren’t actively hiring.

That shift…. from “I guess I’ll take this for now” to “I want to be intentional about what comes next….is powerful.

Now she’s not just job hunting. She’s career building.

My advice

  1. Relief is a red flag

    If you feel relieved when a job offer falls through, your gut is telling you something. It’s your intuition saying, This wasn’t it. Listen to that. Even if it feels counterintuitive in a tough market, chasing the wrong job can set you back more than holding out for the right one.                                                     
  2. Filler roles can quietly derail your search

    You tell yourself you’ll keep looking once you’re in the role. But most people don’t. You get busy. You stop networking. You settle. And you miss the perfect opportunity when it comes up…because now you’re unavailable.                                                                                                                                                                                 
  3. However, bridge roles can be smart

    In a market like this, I actually encourage clients to consider bridge roles. They can keep you sharp, boost your income, and open new doors.   

But here’s the catch: you have to sell it.

If the company senses they’re your Plan B, it usually won’t work. No one wants to hire someone who’s halfway out the door.

Even if the role isn’t your forever job, your enthusiasm still needs to feel genuine. You don’t need to pretend it’s your dream role. But you do need to convince them it’s the right role for right now, and that you’re committed to giving it your best.                                                                                             

  1. Keep momentum by networking, not waiting 

Alice’s next step is smart: targeting smaller companies she’s genuinely excited by and reaching out even when they’re not hiring. That’s how opportunities are created - especially in industries where jobs don’t always make it to job boards.

The job offer falling through might not have felt great in the moment. But it saved Alice from going down the wrong path.

And that, to me, sounds like a win.

 

I help people in the Marketing and Creative and Tech Industries to find their next perfect role. 

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