Introduction
Job hunting for Japanese students (shūkatsu) is an intense season: company information sessions, application forms, interviews, and finally a job offer (naitei). People changing jobs (tenshoku) know the waiting too. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, form four themes: entrusting anxiety to God, before an interview, when you are turned down, and trusting God's guidance. They promise no result, but they steady a hopeful heart. Use them in prayer or to encourage a friend.
Entrusting Anxiety to God
1. Philippians 4:6-7
"In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."
Paul invites us to be anxious about nothing and to make our requests known to God with thanksgiving. Job hunting means living with uncertainty. Before filling in an application or on the morning of an interview, pray briefly. It is not a promise of a result, but a promise of a guarded heart. Read all of Philippians 4.
2. 1 Peter 5:7
"casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you."
Peter invites us to cast all our worries on God, because he cares for us. Information sessions, interview preparation, comparing yourself with friends: job hunting brings plenty of cares. Remember that God takes an interest in you and set them down one by one in prayer. Read all of 1 Peter 5.
3. Psalm 55:22
"Cast your burden on Yahweh and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved."
The psalmist urges us to cast our burden on Yahweh, who sustains. When you hear about friends who already have offers, impatience rises. Hand God the weight of comparison. Once that burden is set down, keep preparing seriously, day after day, trusting the one who holds you up. Read all of Psalm 55.
4. Isaiah 41:10
"Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness."
God says: do not be afraid, I am with you, I will strengthen you, I will help you. At the door of the interview room you may feel tense, but God is there. This verse does not promise you will be hired; it reminds you of his presence, whatever the outcome. Read all of Isaiah 41.
5. Psalm 118:6
"Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
The psalmist sings that Yahweh is on his side, that he will not be afraid, and asks what man can do to him. In front of a recruiter, the fear of being judged grows. This verse reminds you that other people's opinion does not decide everything. God is on your side. Read all of Psalm 118.
Before an Interview
6. Exodus 4:12
"Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.”"
God told Moses, who hesitated because of his difficulty speaking, that he would be with his mouth and teach him what to say. Many people fear losing their words in an interview. This is not a promise of success, but praying the night before can help you keep calm. Read all of Exodus 4.
7. James 1:5
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
James writes that if anyone lacks wisdom, he can ask God, who gives liberally and without reproach. When you cannot write your motivation or self-introduction, ask him for wisdom. He will not scold you. Pray for a moment before you sit down to work on it. Read all of James 1.
8. Colossians 4:6
"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Paul asks that our speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that we know how to answer each person. In an interview, sincere and kind words touch more than polished phrases. Listen well to the person across from you and answer calmly and honestly. Prepare your attitude as you prepare your answers. Read all of Colossians 4.
9. 2 Timothy 1:7
"For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control."
Paul writes to Timothy that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control. Before a panel, your throat may tighten. Then remember the power and love God has given you. Breathe deeply and dare to take one small step of courage. Read all of 2 Timothy 1.
10. Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs invites us to trust in Yahweh with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. Study your industry, analyze your path, give your best, but in the end trust God as you enter the interview room. He will make your paths straight. Read all of Proverbs 3.
When You Are Turned Down
11. Psalm 34:18
"Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit."
The psalmist says Yahweh is near to the brokenhearted. After a series of rejections, it can feel as if you have been rejected as a person. God is not far away: he is very close to a broken heart. You can come to him with your tears, without hiding them. Read all of Psalm 34.
12. Psalm 37:23-24
"A man’s steps are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way. Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand."
The psalmist affirms that Yahweh establishes a person's steps, and that if he stumbles he will not fall, because Yahweh holds him up with his hand. Even if you feel down after a rejection, it is not over. God takes your hand and lifts you up. Read all of Psalm 37.
13. Micah 7:8
"Don’t rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Yahweh will be a light to me."
The prophet confesses that when he falls, he will arise, and when he sits in darkness, Yahweh will be a light to him. Weeks without answers can feel like darkness. This word encourages you: God becomes light in exactly that darkness, and you will rise again with him. Read all of Micah 7.
14. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;"
Paul writes that he is pressed on every side yet not crushed, struck down yet not destroyed. A rejection does not deny your worth. Even when days that go nowhere weigh you down, you will not be destroyed in God's hand. Allow yourself days of rest too. Read all of 2 Corinthians 4.
15. Psalm 147:3
"He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds."
The psalmist sings that God heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds. The wound of a rejection eases with time, and God is the one who tends it. On days when nothing goes well, talk to someone you trust and pour out your heart honestly before God. Read all of Psalm 147.
Trusting God's Guidance
16. Proverbs 16:9
"A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps."
Proverbs says that a man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. You make plans for your job search, and not everything goes as expected. Making plans while letting God lead helps you welcome unexpected results with a calmer heart, and keeps you from feeling that you have failed. Read all of Proverbs 16.
17. Psalm 32:8
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you."
God promises to instruct you, teach you the way to go, and keep his eye on you. When you hesitate about your direction, he counsels you. Whatever you felt, discouragement or excitement, at an information session or an interview, bring it to God in prayer. Read all of Psalm 32.
18. Psalm 138:8
"Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me. Your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands."
The psalmist prays: Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me, your loving kindness endures forever, do not forsake the works of your hands. God stays involved in your life to the very end. The period before you find a position is part of what he leads: walk step by step, trusting him. Read all of Psalm 138.
19. Ephesians 2:10
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them."
Paul writes that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared before. Your worth is not measured by the number of offers or your diploma: you were created by God with a purpose. Work can become the place where those good works happen. Read all of Ephesians 2.
20. Colossians 3:23
"And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,"
Paul recommends working heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. In any company, your work can be a service offered to God. Once you find a position, keep this attitude: do your daily work sincerely before him, whether anyone notices or not, and let him be your true employer. Read all of Colossians 3.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I calm anxiety during a job search?
The Bible invites us to turn worries into prayer. Each morning pray briefly and choose one small preparation task for the day. In hard moments, talk to your pastor, a trusted friend or your school's career center.
What should I read after several rejections?
Psalm 34:18, Psalm 37:23-24 and Micah 7:8 are good choices. A rejection does not deny your worth. Do not force your mood; give yourself rest and tell God honestly how you feel.
Can I pray before a job interview?
Of course. You can ask for calm and sincere words before an interview. Also pray that you can trust God whatever the result. Keep preparing seriously until the end.