It’s not my fault!
I feel like people like to blame unemployed people when they don’t have a job. I got laid off, through no fault of my own and now I’m finding it impossible to find a job no matter how hard I try. I keep up on the latest trends and put all of my effort into making the best impression I can, but nothing seems to matter. I just feel like I have no control over my life anymore. Things are going down the toilet and there’s no way to stop it. What can I do? I feel like I’ve tried so many different things and nothing is working. It’s like I’m on a hamster wheel trying to get somewhere and it’s not possible. Any advice on how to take control of my life again? I’m so sick of feeling helpless…
Hi Andrew:
You are correct that being without a job seems to have a stigma that puts potential employers off of hiring you. It's like being single and trying to date. No one seems to want you unless you are already involved.
How long have you been without work? The longer your gap in employment, the more difficult it will become to find it.
Search for what I call a "throw-away" job. Something you can work that gets some money flowing in, regardless if it is what you want to be doing or not. Once you have a throw-away job, continue looking for the job you want. Being a "passive job seeker" (someone looking for employment while already holding a job) is more attractive to potential employers than someone actively looking.
If you do not have a LinkedIn profile, create one and fill it out completely. A lot of businesses are starting to recruit through that platform. It is not uncommon for recruiters to reach out to you directly with opportunities.
Find that throw-away job and course-correct your career from that point on.
Try giving them a call back on seeing where your application process is...and ask when is the best time to set up interviews or what works best for them. Don't give up.