How to Handle a Seemingly Endless Job Search
By Karen Friesen
Way back last March, when we pulled on our collective sweatpants, most of us probably never imagined we’d still be wearing them 11 months – and counting – later. What at first felt a teensy bit like a surreal adventure (work from home for a few weeks, hunker down and bond with the family, make three tons of sourdough bread) quickly lost its luster.
The “new normal” not only grew stale, but left us asking questions like: Will this ever end? Would it be cool to ding-dong ditch my neighbors and leave another loaf of sourdough? And, why do my sweatpants feel so tight?
In a phenomenon that frustratingly resembles the entire year of 2020, sometimes job search feels, well, never ending. If you’re one of those folks who found yourself involuntarily (or even by choice) launched into the undeniably arduous hunt for a new job, we feel you.
Maybe a fresh look at what you’re doing – or not doing – is just what you need to light a fire under that job search burner so that you can land a fresh new gig, like, yesterday.
Let’s break this down into five common job seeker situations:
Situation #1:
You want a change. You NEED a change. 2020 kicked your proverbial buns and now you’re ready to take control where you can – starting with your career.
So, where do you begin?
You can start by defining what you’re looking for in your next role, and be detailed. Write down what’s most important to you. Is it future growth opportunities? Location? Working in a particular industry or sector – or for a specific company? What is it that you really want to spend your time doing? And, what job titles reflect this? If you are clear with yourself about what you want and need, you’ll be in a much better equipped to construct a strategy that takes you from where you are today to that next job as efficiently as possible. That kind of clarity will also make it wayyyyyy easier for you to create a compelling and relevant resume, and communicate the value you offer to recruiters.
(Our online masterclass Change Your Career/Change Your Life or Career Pivot Kit might come right in handy as you work on this.)
Situation #2:
You’re so deep into job search that the rate at which you’re distributing resumes qualifies as an actual cardio workout. And now, you’re on the verge of filing a missing person’s report on your applications because you keep sending them out and then…crickets.
Hurling out resumes at the speed of sound and frenetically typing up online job applications may get you carpal tunnel before it lands you a job. You’re working so hard, but still stuck. That’s probably because blindly applying online is way down on the list of successful job search techniques.
Your resume will likely be scanned and rated by resume scanning software (also known as an ATS, or applicant tracking system) before a human ever sees it (and they may not ever see it if the ATS rates you a weak match). What can you do about that? Lasso your network. Leverage LinkedIn, alumni contacts or your best friend’s cousin to identify someone you can make a connection with at the organization you’re interested in, and then introduce yourself. Personal connections are the most powerful, time-tested way to get your name and face in front of people with the power to hire.
(Want more? Check out: “What to Do if Your Network Isn’t Helping You Get a Job”)
Situation #3:
The last time you updated your resume was 2009, and it’s been so long since you logged into LinkedIn that you’ve got zero clue what the password is. You’re feeling overwhelmed and underprepared.
Yep, you could use some support. Deep breaths. Take it one step at a time and it’ll feel a lot less daunting. If you think you can tackle LinkedIn with a bit of step-by-step guidance, check out our Ridiculously Awesome LinkedIn Kit (and, take $15 off with promo code LINKEDIN15).
We’ve got you covered on resume, too, with our Ridiculously Awesome Resume Kit ($20 off with promo code: GETHIRED) or the Weekend Resume Makeover course, a self-paced video tutorial that will take you step-by-step through the resume development process.
Your resume and other marketing materials need to work for YOU. Going through these steps should be a reminder of the value you offer and the boost you need to walk – no, strut – confidently toward your next opportunity.
Situation #4:
You desperately need work because, well, bills.
Your financial needs might be out of sync with the reality of the job search / hiring process. Here’s where I’ll suggest “making” a job or side hustle to keep a bit of cash flowing as you find your way to a longer-range solution.
There is personal growth, humility and (most importantly) money to be made in creating your own opportunities or finding part-time work to bridge an employment gap. Taking control in this area can help take the pressure off your wallet and remind you of your own powers of resourcefulness. (And, who knows, what begins as a “right now” hustle could transition into a rewarding long-term career.
Situation #5:
Not only is all this job search a burn out, but your self-esteem is taking a serious hit.
Having spent the past year coaching job seekers navigating the fallout of COVID-19, let me be the first to say: We get it.
Your frustration and pain is very real, and completely understandable.
And, while there is no “magic wand” or simple solution, here’s something that seems to help: Taking a break.
Whether it’s for a few minutes, a few hours or a few days, taking a deliberate pause can be incredibly useful in helping you calmly think through your next move.
Ignore your phone, get outside, take a walk, chat with a friend. Volunteer for a cause you love (potential bonus: it might open you to new career options or introduce you to valuable professional contacts.) Allowing yourself to reset might be exactly the prescription needed to dive back into your search with newfound hope and a fresh perspective.
And, if you need 1:1 support along the way? We’re right over here, and would be honored to assist.
