You start writing the next one. And after you finish that one, you start on the next. And on and on…
Recently, at Gems | Israel, we’ve discussed how difficult it is to find a job in a new country. Last night, we had one of these meetings, and afterward, I watched the movie “Tick, Tick… Boom!” on Netflix.
Unexpectedly, I found myself drawing parallels between the protagonist, Jonathan Larson, writing and promoting his musical in 1990, and our own job search journeys. For some, this text might be a call to action to watch a great film, while for others (especially those struggling to find a job), it could be an inspiring story of motivation, setbacks, and pursuing one’s goals.
Over the past two years, I’ve often encountered stories of people searching for jobs for 6–7 months. This scenario can be in Israel, Amsterdam, or any other country where you’ve moved without knowledge of the market and often the language. The job search process is tough, and it’s easy to feel disheartened when you hear rejections. It’s also common to get stuck in endless doom-scrolling on job sites.
Jonathan Larson’s story, as he writes his musical on the verge of turning thirty, interestingly mirrors the job search experience. He is passionate about his work, endlessly writing music and lyrics — much like the countless times we rewrite our CVs for specific job openings. His friends and partner support him, but their relationships occasionally suffer — akin to the emotional toll of repeated rejections and the struggle to muster the strength to continue searching.
Yet, Jonathan Larson persists, writing, rehearsing, and facing endless rejections from producers. One day, he finally gets a chance for a performance (much like reaching the final stages of an interview, being close to the goal). He feels elated, thinking that things are finally moving forward, but then receives a rejection call with the advice: “You start writing the next one. And after you finish that one, you start on the next. And on and on, and that’s what it is to be a writer, honey.”
After such feedback, Jonathan considers quitting his creative pursuits to pursue a lucrative career in marketing, like his best friend. Job seekers often face similar moments, contemplating giving up and switching to something entirely different. But usually, a break is what’s needed. Jonathan’s best friend gives him solid support, encouraging him to continue writing and follow his dream. It’s a simple truth, but the support of loved ones in moments of utter despair is the most effective remedy.
Then, Jonathan receives a call from someone who attended his performance, saying it was great and that he has a bright future ahead. This moment resonates with the feeling of receiving a job offer — that all efforts were not in vain, and eventually, our endeavors will lead us to our goals. It’s important to remember that we all find a job in the end, whether it takes six months or a year. We will achieve our goal.
The movie, of course, is about something entirely different, but I highly recommend watching it if you haven’t yet. Jonathan Larson’s story is incredibly inspiring (and a bit sad, but I won’t spoil it).
