Alright. Since you clicked on this article, I’ll tell you the real reason why you might be struggling to get a job.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it — this isn’t one of those motivational pieces that tell you everything will be fine if you just believe in yourself.
This is about how things really work when you’re trying to change careers, get into data analytics or IT, or simply start over professionally.
Let me start with a scene from the movie Million Dollar Baby. Maybe you’ve seen it. It’s about a young boxer who’s slowly climbing her way up to the top of professional boxing. Her trainer, played by Clint Eastwood, watches as she sits down in her corner after a rough round and asks:
“Why isn’t this working?”
And he answers:
“She’s better than you. Younger, stronger, more experienced. So what are you going to do about it?”
That line — “What are you going to do about it?” — might just be one of the most important questions you can ask yourself about your career.
You don’t look for a job in a vacuum
We often hear that we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others — that the only person we’re competing with is who we were yesterday. And sure, there’s truth to that.
But when you send out your CV, you’re not doing it in a vacuum. Someone else with a similar background — maybe just a bit more polished, a bit more confident — is sending theirs too.
And that’s where reality hits.
I’m honestly surprised by how many people treat job hunting half-heartedly. They send out weak CVs, do one or two online courses, and then wonder why nothing happens.
The problem is that many people overestimate the importance of deciding to change careers and underestimate the grind that comes after.
The decision is just the beginning
I know how much emotional effort it takes to decide that you want a change.
That moment — when you finally say, “Okay, I’m going to become a data analyst” or “I’m moving into tech” — gives you this satisfying rush of accomplishment.
But here’s the thing: that’s not the finish line. It’s the starting point.
What I often see is people treating that decision like the victory itself.
They feel good for finally committing, and then they relax a bit. They expect progress to come naturally — but it doesn’t.
The truth is, once you decide to change your career, the real work begins. The kind that doesn’t give you quick wins or external validation. And that’s where many people quit.
Who are you really competing with?
A common thing I hear is:
“I can’t compete with all those 25-year-old tech graduates. I’m in my late thirties — I don’t stand a chance.”
And sure, you’re not directly competing with a computer science student from a technical university. But here’s what you forget — there are others just like you out there. Same age, same life stage, same challenges. And some of them are simply working harder.
They’ve reworked their CVs ten times. They’ve built real portfolios. They’ve practiced interviews, joined meetups, posted on LinkedIn, networked with recruiters.
And they’re the ones who get noticed — not because they’re younger or luckier, but because they put in more effort.
Job hunting is a zero-sum game
Let’s face it: when you’re applying for a job, you’re competing for something valuable.
A stable, safe, well-paid, and interesting position in a growing field. That’s the prize.
And not everyone gets the prize — that’s just how it is.
That might sound harsh, but it’s the truth.
You don’t have to become a workaholic or sacrifice your health to succeed. But you do need to understand that you’re not the only one trying. Others are investing time, energy, and money into this too.
And if you want to win — you’ll need to give more than the bare minimum.
The illusion of balance
Now, let’s talk about one of the biggest myths: balance.
I hear people say, “You can’t overdo it. You have to keep balance. You shouldn’t push too hard.”
And of course, balance matters — but not when it becomes an excuse.
Because too often, that “balance” becomes a moral shield.
“I may not have succeeded, but at least I’m taking care of myself.”
That sounds nice, but let’s be honest — it’s like giving yourself a medal for 27th place.
I’m not saying you should ruin your health or neglect your family.
But if you want real change, you have to accept that it’s going to be hard.
And yes — it’s supposed to be hard. That’s what makes it meaningful.
Manage your energy, not just your time
One of the most underrated skills in career change is managing energy, not time.
You can have two free hours in the evening, but if your energy is gone — those hours mean nothing.
That’s why it matters who you surround yourself with, what content you consume, and what kind of conversations you’re part of.
If you spend time with people who complain that “you can’t find a job in Poland” or that “the system is rigged,” you’ll start to believe it.
But if you spend time with people who are learning, improving, and supporting each other — you’ll feel recharged.
That’s one of the reasons I created kajodata.com — a platform and community for aspiring data professionals.
You’ll find full courses on Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, and Power BI, as well as live webinars and, most importantly, people who get it. People who know what it’s like to start over — and want to see you succeed.
This isn’t just a plug for a course. It’s an invitation to be in a space that fuels your motivation instead of draining it.
LinkedIn isn’t reality
LinkedIn makes it easy to feel like you’re behind. Everyone seems to be getting promotions, landing new jobs, and announcing big wins.
But remember — LinkedIn is theatre.
No one posts about their failures. Everyone’s wearing their professional mask.
That’s why you shouldn’t measure your progress against what you see there.
Just know that every job posting is a zero-sum game: only one person gets hired.
And it’s not always the most talented one — it’s often the most prepared one.
You can’t “sort of” change your life
If you’re doing something important, you can’t do it halfway.
You can’t “kind of” change your career.
You either go all in, or you don’t go at all.
Just like you can’t “kind of” train for a marathon. You either run consistently or you don’t finish the race.
If you want to transform your professional life, you need consistency, patience, and effort. Because others — your real competitors — are doing exactly that.
Stop giving yourself a medal for “trying”
This might sound blunt, but if you truly care about changing your life — then stop giving yourself credit for simply trying.
Everyone can say, “That’s crossing my boundaries, I need to protect my balance.”
And yes, people will applaud you for saying it. It sounds wise, mindful, mature.
But sometimes, it’s just an escape hatch — a way to quit without admitting it.
So decide what you really want.
If you want change — go for it. Accept that it will be tough, but know that it’s worth it.
And if you don’t want it, that’s fine too — but then don’t read articles like this.
Because this one’s for people who actually want it.
Final thoughts
There’s nothing wrong with wanting peace, stability, and balance.
But if you want to change your career — you’ll need to earn it through effort, determination, and patience.
You can’t “balance” your way into a new life without a bit of pain and discomfort.
That’s the price — and the beauty — of transformation.
Because in the end, what’s waiting for you isn’t just a new job.
It’s the feeling that you actually did it. That you followed through when most people gave up.
So if you’re on that journey — keep going.
And if this article resonated with you, share it on your social media.
Someone out there might need to read this today.
The article was written by Kajo Rudziński – analytical data architect, recognized expert in data analysis, creator of KajoData and polish community for analysts KajoDataSpace.
That’s all on this topic. Analyze in peace!
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