If you can’t find a job, in this booming economy, you need to evaluate your resume, skills, and expectations. While the world has changed and the types of jobs in-demand are different now than in the past, you can’t just wonder “why won’t anyone hire me” and not hold yourself accountable for any of it. Here are some things to do when you’re qualified and no one will hire you or give you work.
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What To Do When You Can’t Find A Job
You’ve been out of work for quite some time. You have looked for a job, researched industries and companies, gone to interviews and nothing is happening. Stress and discouragement start to set in. How will the bills be paid? Unemployment is absolutely no fun. Money will eventually run out and then what?
There are many things you can do to change the situation. Keep the faith and be persistent. A great job that is both rewarding and profitable will come along for you. But faith isn’t action, and staying on the same course will only perpetuate why you can’t get a job. Learn what to do when you can’t get a job.
It’s All About Money
Actually, when unemployed for a considerable length of time, it is not all about money. Yes, a decent salary would be great, but you may not find a job with as much money or as many benefits as the one you left behind. Unrealistic expectations about monetary compensation are not the way to get your foot in the door of a company you may want to work for.
Many businesses doing the same type of work set up different pay scales; some companies offer great benefits and thus pay less, while others offer high-pressure positions with a higher salary. If the company you left paid you a very generous salary, that is wonderful, but you may have to settle for a little less in another firm for doing the same job.
Certainly, being out of work isn’t paying anything, so a fair salary, even if not exactly what you want, should be acceptable to avoid losing much more of your savings.
The “Perfect” Job
Nothing is perfect. Maybe the job you left was exactly what you wanted, but the company, for multiple reasons, could not keep you employed. A job that you are completely satisfied with might not come along again right away, so it is best to try and look at employment opportunities and see what could be compromised on.
After all, a good chunk of Americans are currently under-employed – they are either not working a full 40 hours per week or are not in a desired career, position, or even industry. People who have “perfect” jobs are not eager to leave their companies and open up a position for you.
Work out what you absolutely have to be offered to accept a position in terms of salary, health insurance, dental, 401K or 403b, vacation time, reasonable hours, and try to find a position will work at least for the time being. You can always keep searching for a better position while employed.
Overestimating Your Skills
Being offered a management position when you just left a clerical job would be a wonderful change. However, applying for jobs through the shotgun approach and spending time on positions that you are not qualified for takes a lot of time and energy, and generally doesn’t work out.
Use your job-hunting skills to find positions which you can do and that you stand a decent chance of being hired for. Companies don’t like to waste time reading through applications and resumes only to weed out those which don’t come close to the qualifications they are seeking.
If you do seek a higher-level position, consider going back to school part-time or getting an online degree once you have a job and improve your skills. Be willing to work at a lower level in a new company and seek advancement. Sometimes beginning at the bottom with a great company will give you a leg-up on the competition when other positions around the company open up.
Resumes
Everyone has a different idea of how a resume should look. The professionals who can be hired to write innovative and award-winning resumes can be out of your price range at the moment. The same is to be said of hiring a career coach, so you may have to tackle this problem on your own.
Make certain that your last 10 years of experience are clearly spelling out your past and present duties and accomplishments. One to two pages is adequate and anything more is considered too long.
Try to sell your skills and experience, and never be shy in bragging about your accomplishments in former positions – just make sure you don’t overdo it and come off as arrogant. Education, training courses, certifications, technological skills and second languages all count. Be creative.
Interviews
Finally getting an appointment for an interview can be rewarding, satisfying and frightening all at the same time. Sitting down face to face with a human resources manager or the vice president of department can cause a bit of anxiety. The important thing to remember is to relax because you are well-prepared and have practiced answering the most common interview questions.
Try taking a couple deep breaths before entering the room and remember, obviously the person interviewing you believes you have adequate qualifications to spend time talking to you, so promote yourself without sounding conceited and be honest. Never be cocky, but always discuss your accomplishments and what you think you can offer the company. Remember to ask the HR manager what is expected of you and what you can do for the company. A positive interaction is a great step toward employment.
Looking For Work
Even though the economy hasn’t been outstanding over the last few years, there is still no reason why a good job can’t be found with a little creativity and persistence. Friends can review your resume and make suggestions. Join a networking group in your community or online to get job leads that may not yet be posted. If all else fails and you live in a declining economic area, consider moving to a different location to increase your opportunities in the job search.
