Job searches can be reminiscent of our first days of school — scary. Will they like me? How can I get them to like me?
Any job search can tap into our fears of rejection, but in a job market that is seeing more people unemployed each month, those fears may be replaced by full-blown
panic.
The numbers aren’t encouraging, but they may not be as bad as they seem. In April, the unemployment rate for the month stayed virtually the same as it had the previous month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What does that data really mean for job seekers? Annemarie Segaric, a life and career change coach in New York, isn’t seeing her client roster shrink as a result of a poor job market. More, she still has clients that are interested in not just finding a job, but making a big career move.
Everyone’s case is different, however, and if you’re out of work and not finding work in your field, at what point do you give up and take whatever you can get? Before you get there, take a deep breath and follow a few suggestions toward gainful employment — maybe even the job you want.
Give Yourself a Break
If suddenly you’re without a job, Segaric suggests taking a break, even if it’s just a little one. Don’t jump right into resume blasting.
Whatever you can and feel comfortable taking — a few days, a week, a month — give yourself time to ask, “What do I want next?”
“You want to narrow down your options,” Segaric says.
Otherwise, “you become unfocused. That’s when you start blasting out resumes. You have so much more success when you’re focused.”
Peace of mind is also important when you’re undertaking a major job search, so figure out how much time you can afford.
“Money is a finite resource. So you need to sit down and figure out, ‘How much time do I have?’ “ says Cheryl Stein, a Montreal-based personal and business coach. She also suggests identifying luxuries you can do without.
However, if finding the next source of income quickly is imperative, try consulting or part-time work (which can also be a way to stay connected to your industry) to cover expenses, but look at it as an interim fix. And don’t beat yourself up for doing what you need to do.
“If someone’s been laid off and the lack of income is causing stress, it’s worth it to take something to pay the bills,” Segaric says. “It doesn’t mean you’re giving up” on finding the job you want.
Leverage Your Network
“The one really pivotal thing,” Stein says, “is changing the way you network. It’s how you use the people you know.”
Segaric also stresses this point and recommends being very specific with your contacts. Instead of asking, “Do you know of any opportunities I might be a fit for?” say, “I’m interested in these three fields. Do you know anyone at these companies in these departments?”
Segaric notes that people are busy these days, so you want to give them something they can respond to. It probably goes without saying, but a reminder: Follow up.
Relationships are two-way streets. So while you’re the one in need, still consider what you bring to the table.
“Maintain the relationships you know,” Stein says. Ask yourself, “What can I give?”
Provide is as provide does.
Reach out beyond your address book — it may be the people you don’t know that hold the key to your new office.
“Do something different,” Stein says. “If you’re not meeting new people that can put you in touch with someone, find out where you can meet these people. Is it community work or volunteer work? Is it joining a gym? Do whatever it is to get out of this little zone you’re in. It’s the number one thing for people that are stuck.”
Straying From the Course
If you’re unable to make it on a part-time or consulting salary, your networking is bottoming out and you’d rather scrub your toilet again than send yet another resume, it may be time to consider a job in another field — even if it’s not ideal.
The blip on your resume is easily explained. It’s all in how you spin it.
“No experience we have is useless in life,” Stein says. “There’s no such thing as derailment unless you let it happen.”
She suggests incorporating your new experience as steps forward — not backward.
“It’s really about selling yourself,” Segaric says. “People are used to the idea that there are layoffs. What they want to know is that you feel good about what you did. If you come across as insecure or embarrassed, they’re going to feel that way about you.”
Stein agrees that perception can make a huge difference. “It’s the subtle thing that people don’t realize,” she says.
“If you’re desperate, they’ll pick up on that vibe. It’s the hopeful people that seem like they’re going to add to the team.” In other words, keep a positive attitude, even if you’ve taken a detour.
Exploring possibilities outside your industry can open you up to a field that perhaps you didn’t realize you were interested in or qualified for. Your skills and knowledge may be transferable to another area. “How can you take the skills you have now and maybe move to an organization with the field you want to go into?” Segaric says.
Sometimes the simple advice is still the best: Keep your foot in the door. Working in another area doesn’t mean something in your desired market won’t open up. Keep your chin up and persevere.
While it may not always feel like it, as Stein says, “There are always options.”
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