Can’t Find a Job? Consider These 13 Tips
1. Take a Break
You don’t need to quit your job search entirely, or even take a months-long hiatus, in order to give yourself a break from job searching. Even taking just a day off every now and then can recharge your batteries so you’ll feel ready to jump back in, refreshed and ready to go.
“ It’s OK to take some time off from your job search once in a while. Allow yourself a day or a few days off and spend that time doing something that energizes you and makes you happy, and reflect on what’s going well in your search, “ says FlexJobs Career Coach Toni Frana. “ Afterwards, you’ll find you’ll be able to get back to your job search with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. “
2. Go Where the Jobs Are
Some people will move to a different city, state, or country to find a job in their field. But if you’re looking for a remote job, your location may not be a significant factor. It does, however, help to target your search to the fields and jobs that are most compatible with remote work. “ Do a bit of research on who commonly hires in your field to help speed along your search, “ suggests Frana.
3. Spruce up Your Online Presence
Studies have shown that the majority of hiring managers will look at a person’s online presence even before reaching out to them for a job interview. How do your social media profiles look? Are they a mishmash of (public) family photos and some political point-of-view posts? One of the most important aspects of your job search is to ensure that your online presence is up to date and professional.
Take the time to clean up your profiles, or create some new ones that show you in a professional light, and keep them current so potential bosses can see that you’re active on social media…for all the right reasons.
4. Get Skilled or Schooled—or Both
If you’re finding that you aren’t entirely qualified for the positions you’ve been applying to, that could be one reason you can’t find a job. Employers often won’t hire someone who doesn’t have the majority of the skills, education, or job experience necessary for the position. If you need to boost your skill set to be more in line with what companies are looking for, consider going back to school or finding online resources to gain the skills you need.
5. Change Your Mindset
It’s easy to feel defeated if you’ve been job searching for a long time and not getting any responses. If this is the case, a change in perspective may be all you need to turn the corner and find some success. “ Just like taking a break from your job search is important, so is having the right mindset. It is hard to be a job seeker, applying for many jobs and possibly not hearing back from employers, “ says Frana.
“ Work to focus on the progress you are making with each application—honing your search tactics, getting efficient with your application process, and understanding what keywords to use for an ATS are all important tools to use as you go through your search, “ explains Frana. “ Each time you apply for a job, you are improving your process, and that’s great progress to landing a job. Celebrate those small steps! “
6. Try a Temporary Job
If you’ve been job searching for a while and still haven’t landed the perfect position, you may want to consider taking on a temporary job. Temp jobs are an excellent way to get your foot in the door at a company, learn some new skills, and build your professional network. And you never know, some temp workers, even those who are seasonal, are offered permanent positions once their original assignment ends.
7. Build Your Network
Especially if you’re introverted, it can feel hard to put yourself out there to grow your network. But networking is one of the best ways to meet new people and generate leads that can help with your job search. While most in-person networking events are on hold during the pandemic, there are many online networking events you can do from the comfort of your home office that can yield some great results.
8. Review Your Resume
If you’ve been looking in your field and are qualified for the positions you’re applying for but still can’t find a job, resume mistakes and typos may be to blame. When you’ve read (and reread) your resume so often, it’s more likely you’ll miss some significant issues.
“ It’s always a great idea to have someone else review your resume before you submit it. A spouse, family member, friend, or resume review expert can look at your document with a fresh set of eyes and let you know if there are any glaring mistakes to correct before applying for a job. If that’s not an option, try changing the resume font, font size, and font color and then rereading your resume so it looks different to you. Then, when you are satisfied, change it back to the right font before applying, “ offers Frana.
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I recently interviewed with a company only for them to tell me that I’m “utterly unhireable” in my field and that I should stick to retail. I have a bachelor’s degree, graduated with a decent GPA, and did meaningful academic projects throughout my college career. I’ve been applying for every single job lead that I can find for the past eight months, but I always seem to get turned down at varying stages. I’ve even gotten as far as onboarding only for them to pull a 180 and change their mind before physically seeing me, saying the program had “funding cuts”, only to re-open the req the next day. I have no record and have a positive online presence. I’m stumped.
I got one! Finally! Someone out there likes me! Don’t give up on yourself, you can get one too! I had everything, then I lost it. Now I’m back better than ever. Starting a new adventure. Job training starts next week. I know this is easy for everyone out there, but this is like the fourth post I ever did. If I can learn something new so can you. You don’t need to be fancy, you don’t need to be perfect. Just be yourself and smile! 🙂
It’s completely ridiculous that it’s easier to find a job when you have one. People out of jobs are most needy and have skills employees are missing out on. What’s the deal? I’ve been a professional for years and can’t get work. It’s beyond my comprehension. I need to work and pay my bills. Keep getting looked over when I’m completely competent. It makes me sick.
Like FS, my heart goes out to Mel. I am senior management, with lots of apparently “amazing” experience and a quality education, but I’m still looking for a job. It can really affect you emotionally and intrude on your home life. Mel, I just want to tell you a brief story. A few years ago as my wife was divorcing me and my business’s were disappearing, I found myself unemployed. My father generously stepped in to pay my child support so that I wouldn’t end up in jail. I was 42 and I found it deeply, deeply shameful. I had sent over 1,800 resumes to various companies without any result. I was not in a good place. Out of the blue, I was contacted by a company that I did not know, that had seen my profile. It was a Fortune 500 company and after 3 long and complicated interviews, they flew me out for training and off to Asia to work. It meant that I had to be away from everything I knew and my mother died while I was away, but it got me back on track. You just never know. Just keep hanging in there. I have no idea how. but it will get better for you. Just survive until you can turn the corner. You are not alone. Do not give up.
If you are reading this then you are in need of a little break, like me. Think of the last time someone gave you a big hug! Smile and remember how good it felt. You may not have a job but you can go and give someone else a hug. I bet they need one too! If you can do this every day for two minutes, you will bring some sunshine to someone’s heart. If you have to force yourself then do it, and watch “Monty Pythons – Life of Brian” Good therapy for all. Lets sing it together. Always look on the bright side of life! . 🙂
Just noticed this site..my heart goes out to anyone who has been unemployed for any period of time – I am no exception, 2 years and counting for me. Today like most I just feel defeated, confidence at an all time low (like many I’m sure). If I’m honest I just feel useless..no motivation today. I’m a fifty something with so much left to offer at work. What I have experienced though is younger managers appear to be threatened by my skill set. I just don’t understand this..all I want to do is work, no power play, just work..sorry lost for words today.. I just wish you all well! Mel read your comment, so sorry – things will turn a corner when you least expect it. My thoughts are with you!
It’s an inevitable part of having a job: At some point we all feel a little uninspired. Maybe you’re not crazy about a new project, or you just can’t pump yourself up to finish something that’s been dragging on, but you know when the feeling hits, and it can feel like a block on your ability to get things done.
If you can’t find a job or don’t know what type of job you would like to do you don’t have to force yourself, it can be stressful to find a job. The best bet would be to stop trying to hard take breaks and not focusing on it too much! I wanted to find a job I did everything applied online, went to angecies and even dropped cv’s at my local stores, and nothing. Not to mention I was very polite on asking if I could lend them my CV in case they would be hiring. Now the only way I am living is by student loan and being a student at university. Best bet would be for you to become a student and live off the student loan, and once you finish your education at the time you should be introduced to popular brands.
I’ve tried all these and still cannot find a work from home IT job to save my life. I’d imagine any WFH job posting results in a deluge of applications since this is what so many people want. However few employers offer WFH. Why? My theory is they are afraid to give up control. They enjoy having employees play their inane -ss in Chair game. What they don’t get is that those with the privilege of WFH reward their employers with extra effort, loyalty, and increased job tenure. Plus it results in lower costs of office space, as well as having environmental benefits and employees not stressed out after a tough commute.
Resource:
https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/what-to-do-when-you-cant-find-a-job/
https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/10-tips-on-effectively-looking-for-a-job-while-employed
https://www.aarp.org/work/job-search/ways-to-use-linkedin-find-new-job/
Daily personal development is a great thing! It is critical to your success. If you talk to any successful person, they will tell you that who they have BECOME along the journey is just as important to them as the success they have achieved. Each and every one of them I would venture to say has done a committed program of personal development. For some, it’s attending expensive seminars, or getting personal coaching. For others it could be as simple as buying fifty cent books at the used book store that were devoured each time with full fervor. The point is, personal development is individual, and PERSONAL. It’s YOURS. Nobody can ever take it away from you.