Tech, Touch and Reality of the Job Search

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.