Maintaining your confidence during a prolonged job search |
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Posted By: Jessica Holbrook In: Business Professional
A year or two ago, pretty much everyone knew someone who had been laid off...
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A year or two ago, pretty much everyone knew someone who had been laid off. That thought was scary enough, but now, most people know someone who has been out of full-time work for a year or more. If you’re one of the people who’s been displaced from the job market for a long while now, you know the emotional toll that prolonged unemployment brings.
Many of us identify ourselves through our jobs and our careers. We make certain assumptions about new people based on whether they’re a doctor or a secretary. However, not being able to identify yourself as any particular kind of employee presents a whole new challenge to your personal identity at a time when you can little afford to lose confidence in yourself. How can you keep your spirits up during a prolonged job search?
Networking
Networking with other job seekers allows you to realize that there are many bright, competent people in the very same position in which you find yourself. Although these people may also have been searching for work for a long time, you may be able to exchange tips that you’ve discovered along the way. Networking with professionals who are employed can also offer a confidence boost. Getting out in the community and talking with other people in your field will help you feel like your old self again. If you’re fortunate, you can also gather information that can help you in your job search.
Volunteering
When no one is paying you a salary in exchange for your skills, it’s easy to start thinking those skills aren’t valuable. Volunteering your talents for causes that matter to you can stop this negative thinking in its tracks. In addition to being able to see that your efforts are making a difference, volunteer work often reminds us that there are many in the world who are less fortunate, helping us to be grateful for what we have. As an added bonus, volunteer work strengthens your resume during a period of unemployment or underemployment. If you organize 50 college alumni in your area to contribute to a $5,000 scholarship for a current student, you will not only change that student’s life, but you will gain an easily quantifiable achievement to add to your resume.
Socializing
Networking and volunteering both involve spending time with other people, but often those people are professional contacts rather than close friends or family. Throughout your job search, it’s important to keep yourself surrounded by the people who know you best—for more than just your job title. Your loved ones know about the time you won your 3rd-grade spelling bee or pulled together a flawless football tailgate with two hours’ notice. Reminders of your little victories in life provide a ray of sunshine when you’re faced with a stack of rejection letters.
Surround yourself with people who keep your spirits up—stay confident out there!
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Comments
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Posted by: Jeanne
At last, someone comes up with the right answer!
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Posted by: Malerie
You've solved all my problems
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Posted by: Taunia
Its helps, and hurts, to hear what we are all going through. I'm a single mom of 3 and I always had a good job until now. I am feeling like they don't look up to me anymore. What happened? The internet!! There is no face to face anymore. You cant just be who you are. No, its all about key words and putting them in the right spot. Very sad. Anyone can do that, but can anyone get up early every day, take a shower, dress nice, shake hands, drop resumes off "IN PERSON" these days? Its computerized. I say bring back the humans. Bring back the heart. Listen to people. Not how many classes they took to write a good resume,to catch the key words on computers hard drive!! Lets take care of each other again. Get back to basics.Whats going on?
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Posted by: Ben Strickland
Was feeling the other day that this job search was getting the best of me. About 6 months now and nothing to show. Your comments about "volunteering" were right on. I have been volunteering half of my time. To look back, it has given me confidence. Thanks, I needed to read this article.
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Posted by: Rhonda Higgins
I had my first interview in over 4 months (been unemployed for 2 years) and the HR representative I was talking to was the kindest soul I've crossed paths with during my job search. She told me my prolonged unemployment obviously was taking its toll and I should let the past stay in the past concentrating on ways to make myself shine. It's difficult to keep morale up when you send out 5-8 resumes weekly and get very little response.
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Posted by: Pattie W
Wish you all the best and hope that you find jobs soon. I am about to be laid off for the 4th time in my career, but thankfully I have landed a PT gig to help me keep my student loan payments up to date. Do you know how blessed I feel when I got the PT gig before I was actually laid off. I was not up to it to have to break such news to my husband again. And by the way, I have an MBA degree!
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Posted by: Heidi Wells
Las Vegas has been hit REALLY hard- but after 9 years on the same job and 17 years hands on experience doing the same thing, it's really hard to maintain a good attitude. Thanks for the encouragement- at least I'm not as alone as I feel. I WISH I could afford to change, but I actually have enjoyed my chosen field (administrative assistant, payroll). Let's all strive somehow to make next year better.
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Posted by: Walter W.
It's easy to get down when you have bills and no income. Like the article says you HAVE to stay positive. When I was working full time I was complaining about the belly I was getting. Now I'm as skinny as a movie star :) Like the article said, share your experiences and tips with others in the same situation. Starting an online business is free if you're not afraid of doing the hard work yourself and embrace your situation as an opportunity to learn new skills. Your job searches will go better too. An interviewer won't scoff at you for starting a business but they will frown if you say you've done nothing. Actions speak louder than words and this is just one of many ways to show the interviewer you are not lazy. Search for free website and you'll be on your way. Starting on a shoestring isn't bad. If you can use a mouse, keyboard, and email you can really do it!!!!!
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Posted by: Angela Chimboza
I have been unemployed for over 4 years mostly due to a family member's terrible illness, and now due to the depressed job market. I was recently told by one recruiting agent that I had too many liabilities including age, length of time out of employmant and out of my industry. I have an MBA and I am taking classes for another program to hone my skills and knowlege. Funny thing is the same person told me he could fix my resume, create a web site, market me and guaranteed me a job in 6 weeks for $5,000. Please! I am snipping coupons for toothpaste!!
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Posted by: Stacey Maderic
I have been out of work since the middle of January 2009. This is the second time being laid off and I have become frustrated and a bit discouraged. I owe it to my husband for helping me through this difficult time in my life.
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Posted by: Mark Salcedo
I agree with Wayne C. I have 38 years of Hr and Operations Management in both retail and service companies. I have been unemployed for just over 1 year and like Wayne C. I see the same HR and Management jobs keep comming up with the same companies too. I do not however have that Degree in my back pocket, I do have the Hands On experience to do the jobs that the newly Degreed individuals, lacking in real world business experience, decides that this position just wasn't what he/she thought. Is there no accountability for HR Managers to give a proven individual an equal opportunity because He is 56 years young?
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Posted by: Jacquelyn Alford
Actually, I find the interviews just as disheartening. Because you don't just look for a job for a long time, you interview too. Long periods of unemployment lead to permanent unemployment as far as I am concerned. If with all of that education and experience noboby calls, emails, and hires a person, something far greater is at work than just being qualified.
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Posted by: Julia Murdock
Thank you for the above comment and for the article. It's very difficult to remain positive when you have been umemployed for so long. As far as HR, I have often wondered the same thing and wouldn't it be great if we didn't feel it is our age that is keeping us from being employed -it's their loss. We are dependable, loyal, and will work to our best possible abilities to get the job done and get it done correctly. Good luck on your job search and I hope that someone opens their eyes soon!
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Posted by: Maria
Wow, 35 months is some time... I'm sorry about that but believe Me, you're not the only one suffering these times. Its very hard and sad. I wish all of you Good Fortune this year or the one coming-up. I hope we all be working by then! Keep the Faith up
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Posted by: Nildca cruikshank
Comments are ringing so truly into my ears! Facing so similar experiences!!
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Posted by: Pam
Very good advice. I've been following it myself.
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Posted by: Dawn K
Temporary agencies list the words must have stable work history. What about those of us that have struggled since 2008 and only worked part-time or went back to school? Gaps, not much experience how do you answer those questions. It is really tough and competitive out there. Just trying to stay positive. Attitude could determine if you get a job or not as well.
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Posted by: Dawn K
Temporary agencies list the words "must have stable work history." What about those of us that have struggled since 2008 and only worked part-time or went back to school? Gaps, not much experience how do you answer those questions. It is really tough and competitive out there. Just trying to stay positive. Attitude could determine if you get a job or not as well.
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Posted by: Dawn K
Temporary agencies list the words must have stable work history. What about those of us that have struggled since 2008 and only worked part-time or went back to school? Gaps, not much experience how do you answer those questions. It is really tough and competitive out there. Just trying to stay positive. Attitude could determine if you get a job or not as well.
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Posted by: edward gilliard
Thank you for that uplifting letter. I was laid- off twice in last 7 years and my confidence is low. Thank you again for that message.
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Posted by: Meagan
This was a terrific article, as are your others. Thank you kindly for the mindful advice.
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Posted by: Rebecca Lynne Douglas
Authentic and true
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Posted by: Wayne C.
At what point, do you think that HR people will become accountable for their continued ill fated hiring practices! HR staff continue hiring persons not competent for a job posting, or those with poor work traits, and/or poor attendance habits.I have been out of work 35 months. My age is 58 years. I've graduated college twice - 2 year accounting & 2 year paralegal. I have 24 years administrative clerical and supervision experience. HR state I am either over or under qualified for a job posting (its not my age). However, during the past 35 months the same job postings keep appearing on the web. The HR people have filled the job positions with 3 to 5 persons during this time frame and are again advertising the employment opportunity. Does it not occur to the HR and their immediate supervisors - that the HR and/or firm's selection process is flawed or that they are hiring based on their personal biases and thus making the same mistakes?Training costs a lot of money and to continuouslyconduct the same process' over and over again it must have the effect of lowering the moral of the permanent staff.Is their no accountability by the HR Dept. to aupper management to review their costly mistakes?Thank you.
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Posted by: Mersi
It's a motivating article to many.
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Posted by: harriet petti
I have been out of work for 7 weeks, I already feel the fear for what prolonged unemployment will bring. I know some of my past coworkers who are also out of work suggested staying current with what is going on in the field, I have also thought of courses or ways to upgrade my skills , although with money tight it is critical to get the most bang for my buck. First time I have been out of work in over 30 yrs, frightening experience.
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Posted by: Frederica Orcheski
Wise and encouraging words! It always makes one feel better helping others.
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Posted by: Mwangi Joseph
Wonderful, it has given me hope.
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Posted by: Ann
How do you address interviewers that say insensitive things like, "what have you been doing while you were off? Weren't you bored?"
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Posted by: mani
good and good
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