Most people don’t sufficiently plan for switching jobs as they have a personal connection to the job opening. This makes the process is fairly straightforward and relatively painless.

Most people tend to assume that’s what job seeking is like.

This all changes when a job seeker is forced to proactively find a new job with no connections. Anyone who has landed a job completely on their own will very likely have a harrowing story to share.

The process can easily take anywhere from two to six months when a job seeker is searching on their own. This length of time is normal and not a reflection on the person’s abilities or worth.

But it certainly doesn’t feel that way.

There are examples of difficult job searches shared every day on LinkedIn. Recently, one job seeker shared they had applied to 600 jobs. These applications led to 30 interviews. The 30 interviews ultimately led to one job offer.

This job seeker had many years of experience and multiple advanced degrees. The entire process took three months.

And, a job search can often become elongated. The reason is that 570 rejections is emotionally exhausting. On top of this, friends and family judge the job seeker at how “difficult” their search is. It leaves the job seeker feeling worthless and wondering if they’re even in the right career field.

Please remember: It’s not you. The application process is broken. You are competing against hundreds of online applicants. You are also competing with the friends of the hiring manager. And you are contending with less-than-ideal economic conditions.

The key is to not lose hope. It’s to realize that the system is broken, not you. You are the same talented, hardworking professional you were before you started this search. You will find your path back.

Set goals for yourself. Keep doing your best to meet the goals, even when things feel difficult. In the example above, the job seeker applied to approximately 200 jobs per month. That’s 50 per week, 10 each business day. This process is a lot of work, but it will result in success.

In addition to applications, sit down and write a list of all of the great things about your background. Perhaps you have 15 years of experience in project management. You are great at organizing teams. You have advanced knowledge in specific topics.

Once you have your list compiled, keep it handy. Read the list each morning. Remind yourself of who you are.

You are valued. You are needed. You are the same person that you were before the economy started to turn. Outside factors changed, but you have not. You remain the same person you always have been.

Angela Copeland, a leadership and career expert, can be reached at www.angelacopeland.com.