A message for young people who are ready to get back up, regroup and keep moving
Life does not always go to plan
Searching for work can feel like walking into a fight you never asked to be in. You send applications, wait for replies, prepare yourself for interviews and sometimes hear nothing back. After a while, the silence can get under your skin. You might start questioning your ability, your future or whether you are doing enough.
But being out of work does not mean you are out of options. And a setback does not have to become your identity. In mixed martial arts, a fighter cannot control every punch, every opponent or every decision. They can control how they prepare, how they respond and whether they learn from what happened. The job search has its own challenges, and that mindset can help.
This is not about treating life like a fight against other people. It is about standing up for your future, facing the difficult parts honestly and staying in your own corner while you work towards the next opportunity.
Conor McGregor: commit to the work
Conor McGregor has spoken about the importance of commitment and focus. In a UFC interview about the mental side of fighting, he explained that after a defeat he realised he needed to be fully committed to his goal rather than drifting between it and distractions. The lesson for a job search is simple: decide what you are working towards, then give your effort some structure.
You do not have to copy a fighter’s life or personality. Instead, take the useful part of the mindset. Set aside time for applications. Tailor your CV to the job. Practise explaining your strengths. Learn about the employer before an interview. If you have been applying without success, review your approach rather than assuming you are not good enough.
McGregor’s story also shows that confidence is not a substitute for preparation. Believing you can improve matters, but the belief becomes stronger when you can point to the work you have put in. Build evidence of your effort, one action at a time.
Dustin Poirier: setbacks can become part of the process
Dustin Poirier has talked about how setbacks can hurt, then fade as he returns to the work of improving. In a UFC feature, he described the feelings after defeat and then returning to what he does: working hard and trying to be the best he can be. That is a powerful way to look at job rejection.
A rejection can sting, especially when you really wanted the role or needed the income. Give yourself a moment to feel disappointed, but do not let one employer’s decision become the only evidence you use to judge yourself. Ask what you can learn. Was the role a good match? Could your application explain your skills more clearly? Would interview practice help? Is there another route into the same industry?
You are allowed to change strategy. Persistence does not mean doing the exact same thing forever. It means staying committed to the bigger goal while being willing to adjust the way you get there.
Max Holloway: progress is built over time
Max Holloway has spoken about legacy as something built over time, not achieved overnight. That idea matters when you are looking for work, because progress can be difficult to see when you are measuring everything by whether an offer has arrived.
Every useful step counts: learning a new skill, improving your CV, showing up on time for a course, asking someone for advice, completing an application carefully or gaining experience through a suitable opportunity. These actions may not turn into a job immediately, but they can help you become more prepared for the next opening.
Do not compare your early rounds with somebody else’s highlight reel. You may not know what support they had, what setbacks they faced or how long it took them to get where they are. Focus on the work you can do today and give yourself credit for progress that is real.
Train for the opportunity you want
In MMA, training is not just about showing up on fight night. It is repetition, feedback, recovery and learning. A job search can benefit from the same kind of routine. You do not need to spend every hour applying, and you do not need to pretend you feel motivated every day. You need a plan that you can realistically repeat.
- Choose your target. Pick a type of role or a couple of industries to explore. If you are unsure, use careers advice to compare options rather than waiting for perfect clarity.
- Work on your fundamentals. Make sure your CV is readable, your contact details are correct and your experience is explained clearly. Adapt the application to the role instead of sending the same generic version everywhere.
- Practise before the pressure arrives. Prepare examples of times you solved a problem, worked with others, learned something or kept a commitment. Practise saying them aloud so you are not trying to invent an answer in the interview.
- Get coaching. Ask a careers adviser, tutor, trusted adult or employment support service to review your CV or help you practise interviews. Feedback can show you what is working and what needs attention.
- Recover and reset. Rejection and uncertainty can be draining. Build breaks into your routine, talk to someone you trust and return to the next step when you are ready. Rest is part of a sustainable plan, not proof you have failed.
There is more than one route into work
Your first step may be an entry-level job, apprenticeship, traineeship, short course, temporary role or work experience opportunity. What is right for you depends on your circumstances, eligibility and goals. Check the details carefully, especially whether an opportunity is paid, what training it offers and whether any costs are involved.
If you are in England, the National Careers Service can help you explore career choices and plan your next move. GOV.UK provides job-search and apprenticeship services, while JobHelp offers practical guidance for people looking for work. Services and programmes can differ across the UK, so check the relevant national support if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Useful UK employment resources
- National Careers Service – careers advice: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice
- GOV.UK – Find a job: https://www.gov.uk/find-a-job
- GOV.UK – Find an apprenticeship (England): https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
- JobHelp – young people looking for work: https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/looking-for-the-right-job/young-and-looking-for-work-2/
Get back up and take the next step
You do not need to be fearless to move forward. You can feel anxious about the future and still send the application. You can be disappointed by a rejection and still ask for feedback. You can be uncertain about your long-term direction and still take one step that gives you more information.
The point of an MMA mindset is not to never get knocked down. It is to respond with honesty, patience and a willingness to learn. Keep your focus on what you can influence: your preparation, your attitude, your skills, the support you seek and the next action you take.
Your situation today is not the final result. Keep training your skills, keep adapting your approach and keep looking for the next opening. You are building a future, not fighting a single round.
IMMORE reminder: Discover. Believe. Become.
