A growing number of jobseekers find themselves in the midst of a long-term job search. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. jobless rate soared to a four-year high of 5.7% in July 2008 and the average job search took more than four months to net results. However, some critics would put this number and the number of the unemployed much higher.
Helen Kooiman, author of Suddenly Unemployed asserts, "[S]uch statistics are inaccurate indicators. They do not include those whose unemployment benefits have run out or those who don't qualify for unemployment... Such statistics also do not count welfare recipients, temps (who cannot be counted as fully employed), or others who eke out a living on so-called self-employment." Neither do such reports include what the Bureau of Labor Statistics terms "discouraged workers" or those who "were not currently looking for work specifically because they believed no jobs were available for them." Their figures reached 461,000 in July.
A long-term job search can put a tremendous financial and emotional strain on a job hunter. "It's been a demoralizing experience and it's been very difficult budgetwise. I'm a single mother," Kay Marie King says, a former non-profit executive with a wealth of experience that is currently involved in an ongoing job search. So, what can you do when weeks of a fruitless job search quickly turns to months? Here are seven tips for jump starting a stalled job search:
Tip One: Don't be so quick to blame everything on the economy (your region, your industry, etc.)
These issues certainly play a role in the current job market. However, it is easy to fixate on such factors and completely discount factors which we personally control. The next six tips cover areas that long-term jobseekers do well to revisit to jump start a stalled job search. Why is this so important? I am reminded of a woman I once interviewed that looked great on paper, but during the interview she had an incredibly offensive body odor. She remarked that she'd been on several interviews but she was "overqualified" for every position. It was a classic case of the problem (or her perception of what the problem was) not really being the problem. While most jobseekers don't have such an obvious issue, each one would still do well to take a long look in the mirror.
Tip Two: Conduct a candid self-assessment.
Look at yourself from the perspective of the potential employer. Compare your experience and qualifications to those typically required of someone in your target position. How do your skills and experience match up? Think of creative ways to to fill skill gaps and gain experience.
Tip Three: Re-examine your target position or industry.
Are you searching for work in a waning industry or oversaturated field? Is your desired position readily available in your selected geographic area? Being open to relocation may improve your chances. Can you apply your knowledge and skills to an industry that is experiencing growth?
Tip Four: Rethink your current job search.
What job search strategies are you currently using? If you are concentrating your efforts on strategies that are typically the least effective (like online job boards and newspaper ads) your job search will take much longer to yield results. Consider incorporating job search strategies that yield higher results, like networking and direct targeted mailing campaigns.
Tip Five: Re-evaluate the way you are communicating your message verbally and in print.
Communicating your message to potential employers in a clear and compelling manner is critical to job search success. Re-examine your resume. Does it communicate your value to employers by addressing how your skills and experience will meet the employer's specific needs? Practice communicating your value in response to typical interview questions, including, "Tell me about yourself."
Tip Six: Maintain your intensity level and a positive outlook.
It is easy to become discouraged over the course of a lengthy job search. Keep a positive outlook and maintain a high-level of focus and intensity throughout your job search for quicker results. Taking a systematic approach to your job search will help you to stay organized and on track during your job search. Yet, it is important to pursue other interests during your job search. Enjoy spending time with friends and family. Renew your interest in a hobby. Tackle a project you wouldn't have time to if you were working. Spending time in other pursuits provides a much-needed reprieve from the stress of a job search. You'll be energized and ready for the next leg of your job search.
Tip Seven: Build a solid support system.
If a self-guided job search has netted limited results; consider working with a career or job search coach. Your coach will help you identify any problem areas and offer suggestions for improvement. Another option is to join a local or online job search club. If a coach or job search club isn't available try building your own support network. Enlist the help of family and friends or connect with other job hunters. Taking a team approach to your job search provides an opportunity for constructive feedback, a fresh perspective, ongoing encouragement, and added accountability.
Try applying the tips above to jump start a stalled job search. Learn more about conducting a Simply Successful Job Search by visiting Indeed Jobs
No matter how much time and energy you invest in job seeking, critical mistakes can derail your efforts. Consider the following job search scenario. Each of the mistakes described below can put your job search off track, but all are easy to avoid.
Mistake #1: Starting with a Handicap
Your job search is underway. Time to get out your resume, dust it off, and add your most recent experience… Right?
Wrong. A strong job search starts with strategizing, and a strong resume should be the vehicle to put your strategy into action. It isn't enough to dust off an old resume – you need a revised resume that is tailored to a specific position and a specific employer.
Ask yourself… What are the top needs and preferences of this employer? How can you address the employer’s needs with specific information about your experience, strengths, and accomplishments? And how can you structure your resume to convey this key information in a quick, 30-second scan?
To avoid mistake #1, assume that your resume is much more than a personal history that simply needs a little updating. Start with a strategy, and rewrite your resume so that it speaks directly to the interests and concerns of the employer who will read it.
Mistake #2: Sending Less-Than-Your-Best
Your resume is done, and you’ve written a cover letter to accompany it. Now you’re ready to drop both in the mail in response to a job ad that especially interests you… Right?
Wrong. Have you first made very sure that you’re not sending out less than your best? Many job seekers fail to realize that both the resume and the cover letter are seen as examples of the quality of their work.
This means that all aspects of overall quality are important – including spelling, grammar, visual layout, organization, and clarity of writing. Errors will stand out like a flashing red light, and anything that makes the resume and cover letter difficult to follow may cause them to be tossed aside.
To avoid mistake #2, follow this rule of thumb: Have at least two other people read both your resume and cover letter before you send them out. Tell them your job-search strategy so that they know what you want to communicate to the employer.
Mistake #3: Cyber-Regrets
The employer has called for an interview! In addition, he’s asked that you e-mail a copy of your resume to another person in the company. That's easy – a quick note with a Word attachment… Right?
Wrong. A casual approach to the computer world can lead to embarrassing mistakes. Regrettably, e-mails usually can't be called back after clicking on the "send" button.
As before, avoid mistake #3 by treating any letter as both an opportunity to convey your qualifications and a sample of your writing. Avoid common e-mail shorthand and short, terse paragraphs – the former can come across as "unprofessional" and the latter as impersonal.
Finally, to be on the safe side, print out your e-mail and attachment to make sure that all looks well in hard copy. Then send the e-mail to at least one other person, and ask them to review both its content and appearance.
Mistake #4: The Missed Opportunity
You’ve prepared for your interview and thought over all the answers you may have to supply. There's not much more you can do… Right?
Wrong. Chances are that at some point in the interview the employer will turn the tables and say: "Do you have any questions?" If you respond by saying "no" or by turning to practical details ("What is your benefits package?"), this will be a missed opportunity.
To avoid mistake #4, think of several questions beforehand – questions that speak directly to the responsibilities and challenges of the job itself. Employers want to know how you think and what you would be like to work with; your questions are an opportunity to show that you can take on the challenges of the job in a constructive way.
Mistake #5: Letting the Ball Drop
You had a strong interview, and you're waiting to hear whether you got the job. At least now you can take a breather while you wait… Right?
Wrong. Until you have a job offer, assume that it's up to you to keep the ball in the air. First and foremost, send a thank-you letter to each person who interviewed you, making reference to one or more things that were discussed.
Second, follow up at regular Intervals to indicate your continued interest and keep your prospects alive. It’s tempting to hang back so that you “won’t be a bother” – but the job seeker who lets the ball drop may lose out to the one who is politely and persistently enthusiastic.
