The job
search is quite unlike any job you have had. With
most jobs, the more time on task you have, the more efficient and effective you
become. Yet with this job, the task is daunting and the longer you are at it,
the harder it becomes, mentally and physically. One month of unemployment turns
into two, which then turns into a year and without batting an eye, even the two-year
mark rounds the corner. Even for the most task-oriented individual, this unpaid
relentless task, with few rewards, can be paralyzing.
The key
factor is simply your perspective. Rather than fighting unemployment, which has
all sorts of negative strings attached, rename this as a career change search. Now you are on a mission: to find a new career.
This
search IS your job right now. There is no denying how tough the situation is,
but keep your focus on what the end result will look like and remember that
each task you complete, gets you that much closer to your goal. Include everything you will do in a
planner as if each task is an important meeting. If you are working part-time temporarily, write it down, but don’t use it as an excuse to not do your
search that day. You pulled all-nighters in college studying, so why not commit
to a few late nights doing technology searches now? Even with children, you can
work around a schedule, just as you would with a full time job. Plan play-dates for them at specific times
during the day, or plan to get up early before the kids get out of bed. Do
what it takes. Just make sure it gets done.
There are three important areas to use daily in your search:
Tech, Touch, Reality.
1 - Tech:
using technology each day (for a few hours) to job search, creating a daily or
weekly commitment to how many resumes you want sent out. But only send them to employers that can hire you (ex: a public school needs a
certification, etc.). Each day write down different technologies you can
search: LinkedIn, Monster.com, Craig’s list, even Facebook, etc.
2 - Touch:
This one reaches out and touches others. Perhaps meeting for coffee with someone in your field of interest, or simply hand delivering a resume to an old friend or colleague. Imagine that anyone you
see may have an opportunity for you. That everyone acts as an important person on this journey, someone
to help spread the word about your search for work...now. The more you talk
about it, the more the universe will keep thinking of you! Commit to how many people you will see each day/week. Then do
it...like it's your job.
3 - Reality
- This one is really important. Be realistic and make 'by when' goals.
Example: If I don't have a full time job by Aug. 30th, I will apply to
any hourly job that offers benefits. Set your goals based on what you want,
but then also what you need and write them down. Not on a scrap piece of paper,
but in a book or binder that can be with you at all times, perhaps even at your
part time jobs to refer to on lunch breaks. Think about what you 'really' want.
If what you want is to teach, create a short-term goal, as well as a long-term
goal. If you know that getting certified would open up many doors for teaching,
figure out how long it would take to get it. Consider the expense, but
think of it as an investment to your new career. If you can land a
temporary job with benefits, you can commit to small steps for the future. Perhaps only
taking one class per semester, which will slowly but surely get you to where you want to land.
Lastly, and most importantly, know for sure that we can't see around corners, but we can be proactive about planning, keep our feet moving and have
faith that every step will get us closer to where we need to be.
