Igniting a Stalled Job Search: 10 Ways to Get Back on Track
Hopefully your job search is proceeding nicely. But if you’re feeling a bit discouraged, particularly after working this process hard for a month or two, don’t despair. Just as dieters can speed up weight loss by varying their exercise regimen, job seekers can enjoy better results by periodically incorporating new strategies into their job search routine. Here are 10 proven strategies to help get your search back on track.
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Evaluate and expand your target list
If you’re not getting the results you want, it might be time to expand your list of possible employers. Think beyond the obvious corporate targets and include small businesses, nonprofits and organizations in high-growth fields (e.g., healthcare, government and education). Set up Google Alerts to track industry news and companies with hiring potential. An excellent tutorial to help you research and identify companies is offered online by the New York Public Library. -
Revisit your initial list of employers
Employers’ needs and budgets change over time, so periodically circle back with companies to express your continued interest in them. Be persistent, but polite, in your follow-up. -
Focus on your inner circle of influential contacts
As your search continues, you’ll find certain people to be incredibly helpful, while others will be of limited value. Identify your inner circle of “power supporters” and nurture those core relationships to ensure their continued assistance over the long-haul. -
Consider project-based employment
Taking on project work can help you build new skills, expand your network of professional contacts and potentially lead to an offer of full-time employment. At a minimum, being involved with a project can help you feel more productive and valued. -
Join a job search support group
The benefits of joining a job search group are many: you make valuable contacts, gain access to job leads and enjoy the emotional support offered by your fellow job seekers. Most importantly, people involved with support groups report higher success rates and less depression than those who try to go it alone. -
Start your own job club
If you can’t find a job group that you like, consider creating your own job club of like-minded individuals (e.g., moms returning to work, laid-off executives from the same company, recent college graduates, etc.). The structure of the group can be as loose or as formal as the group desires, but for optimal results, aim to have the group convene at least once a week. -
Create a blog
Recruiters and employers are increasingly turning to the Internet to recruit and vet job candidates. Writing a blog is an inexpensive way to establish an online presence, showcase your credentials and promote yourself as an expert in your industry. -
Contact a career professional
If you haven’t done so already, now may be the time to schedule a few sessions with a trained career advisor. If you can’t afford a counselor in private practice, contact your alma mater, local community college or state unemployment office to arrange a session with a counselor in their career services department. -
Read a good career book or online newsletter
There are hundreds of useful books and e-newsletters about the job search process. Borrow a few books from the library and sign up for some free e-newsletters online. Make it a point to read about this subject for at least 10 minutes each morning. Even if you only pick up a few new ideas each week, you never know which nugget of information might prove to be the golden ticket. -
Take a break
While this might sound counter-intuitive, giving yourself a few days away from the search can help clear your mind, refresh your spirit and enable you to approach this challenge with renewed focus. If you can’t afford the luxury of a few days away, schedule mini-breaks into your day to help maintain the energy and focus needed for a protracted job search.
