What To Do When Your Job Search Hits A Wall
Looking for a job can be tiring and down-right frustrating, whether it’s your first-ever “real” job out of school, a career change within middle management or an executive level move. Many people hit a wall and give up by settling for a job that isn’t right for them, or just staying where they are comfortable. Instead, continue through the hard work and you’ll be much happier in the end.
Here’s 4 things to do when you hit the job search wall:
Don’t give up. Finding a job is hard work and when people say that it’s a full time job in-and-of itself, they aren’t joking. Your first few applications or interviews might be flops. That’s OK. Learn from them, view them as opportunities to improve, and move on. You will get hired - there is always a light at the end of the tunnel!
Change your strategy. Obviously something isn’t working, and it’s up to you to figure out what it is. Perhaps you are targeting jobs that aren’t a right fit. Or maybe you’re focusing on selling skills that aren’t of value or relevance to the positions you’re seeking. Once you tweak your approach, you’re bound to see results.
Be yourself. Being overly nervous, talking too much, seeming desperate, or fudging the truth, you aren’t painting yourself as attractive to employers. YOU are worth their time and investment for their open position, so show them! You also want to make sure they are seeing the real you, so there aren’t surprises on their end after you get hired, which could lead to both of you being in an unhappy arrangement.
Talk to your support network. Grab the people that you know; trust and confide in them. What’s frustrating you? What really stinks about your job search experience so far? Do they have advice you can implement into your strategy? Give them a call, go grab a cup of coffee, and take advantage of the support.
Need an extra push? Our career coaching services and online courses can boost your search and help you shine like the rockstar applicant you are. Here’s what one client had to say about her job search experience before and after working with us:
I really appreciate how [the Wilbanks Group] approached every aspect of my job search with a positive attitude, despite my tendency towards pessimism! I had been on the job market for about eight months and had not been called back for any interviews. Holly helped me adapt my research-focused CV into a more standard format resume that highlighted skills important for a career transition, including my project management and communication skills. When I started receiving interview invitations, we had a practice session where Holly helped me to gain confidence when conveying my experience in an interview setting. Additionally, we worked on refining my storytelling to select concise anecdotes to best address common interview questions and specific job requirements. After every job interview Holly remained engaged by calling to discuss how things went for me and to give feedback. I would recommend this service! - Meagan, working professional in Houston, TX