Your job search has been going on for months. After turning in hundreds of applications, you only landed a handful of interviews. You made it into the final round on a few occasions but have yet to receive an offer.
Looking for a new job is a lot tougher than you imagined. Initially, you were hopeful but now you feel lost and discouraged. You hear news of the job market opening up which only adds to your despair. Trust me, you are not alone.
I realize this is a small consolation. However, it is really important to remember that looking for a new job is a tough process. I don’t know anyone who thrives under financial pressure, enjoys being in a state of limbo and relishes the sting of rejection.
Unless you just won the lottery or inherited a fortune, giving up is probably not an option. Like it or not, the hunt for a good job must go on! Here are three tips to help you survive your job search.
Take a Break
Job seekers who are dealing with health issues tend to flounder the most. It is difficult to focus on job search activities or make positive networking connections when grappling with anxiety, depression or serious physical conditions.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is put your search on hold. Depending on your circumstances, this could mean a week, a month, or perhaps longer. You may need counseling support or you may simply need to give yourself a break from the stressors of life.
During this time, you will not scan job boards, go to networking events, or even peek at LinkedIn. Instead, put your health and wellbeing first and fill your calendar with enjoyable activities. You might add a few house projects to the list if that seems therapeutic.
Once you are stronger and more confident, you can step back into the job search process with renewed energy and hope.
Get Clarity
The second biggest hindrance to job search success is a lack of focus. Job seekers who struggle the most often confess to being unsure about what they want to do next.
When you lack clarity, you are going to pale in comparison to more focused, enthusiastic and determined candidates. Your networking tribe will struggle to support you in your search. Simply stated, it is mighty difficult to be compelling when you are confused.
You may need outside support. Visit a workforce center, utilize alumni career services at your college or seek out a job search coach to help you gain the clarity you need to move forward.
Reset the Strategy
Finally, many job seekers struggle because they do not know how to conduct an effective search. Landing a position in today’s marketplace requires a fresh strategy and a different set of job search skills than in the past.
Today, you need so much more than a polished résumé. Landing a great job and managing one’s professional growth requires a career marketing plan. If you have never heard of a career marketing plan, you have some homework to do! If you have one, start executing it with determination.
It’s a jungle out there. In order to survive, self-care is key. You also need a clear focus, updated job search skills and a strategic career marketing plan. If you are still feeling lost and unprepared, find a group of other job searchers and band together. The journey is much easier, and hopefully more fun, when shared with fellow travelers.
Here is what clients are saying…
“I enjoyed working with Carrie. I felt comfortable with her from the very beginning; she’s very warm, supportive, and easy to talk to. She helped me retool my resume and linkedin profile after taking care to learn about my experience, skills and desires. I highly recommend working with her if you have the chance.”
Going in for meetings with Carrie was the best thing I could have possibly done for my education and career. With her tremendous help I was able to figure out what I wanted to do and how I needed to go about my career. I can’t possibly thank her enough for her crucial role in jumpstarting my career and getting me headed in the right direction.
Carrie was an informative, supportive and thoughtful guide during a time of career refinement. She served as a sounding board in assessing benefits and challenges of positions, reviewed application materials, prepared me for interviews and debriefed and supported decision-making. The mock interview coaching sessions were incredibly valuable to me.
As a recent graduate with my master's degree in biomedical sciences, Carrie and Pink Sky Career Counseling were immensely helpful in the process of landing my first "real" job. I was at a loss for how to apply for a position to start my career in such a specialized field. With little to no work experience, Carrie was able to help formulate my resume, cover letter and references, and manage my LinkedIn page as well as provide general career counseling. Thanks to Carrie's help and guidance I recently accepted an intraoperative neurophysiologist position for NuVasive in Minneapolis, MN. I could not have done it without Carrie's help. Long story short - I highly recommend Pink Sky Career Counseling for any career counseling you may need.
Not a day goes by that I don't thank Carrie in my mind on the way to my new job. Calling her was one of the best things I ever did for myself. Carrie is very intuitive, connected in the community, genuinely caring, and a master of her craft. Of course if you sign on for this, you have to dig deep and do things that are outside your comfort zone to get to where you want to be in life. But she held my hand all the way till the end and beyond. I cannot thank or recommend her enough.
I highly recommend Carrie. She did an amazing job helping me with my resume and providing valuable guidance in my job search process. I ended up being offered a great new job and wouldn't have gotten there without Carrie's assistance and support.
Carrie is amazing, I had a position open that I didn't know about until 4 days before it closed, just before the weekend. She went above and beyond to get it accomplished for me. I highly recommend working with her.
Carrie was fantastic to work with. She listened to what I was wanting and she produced a excellent product, responses to my resume increased and just recently landed a great job!