Comments on: The Job Search Sucks.

By: Maile Keone

Maile Keone — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:57:50 +0000

One more thought on #2, and along the same lines as Susan’s suggestion to volunteer- offer to do pro bono work in your field of expertise. I wrote a couple of press releases for a local networking organization, was invited to volunteer at their annual golf tournament and have two job interviews as a result.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:45:04 +0000

Hi, Jason,

Great article. A job search is such an emotionally and physically draining experience, and requires all the resources you can muster to keep you going. Two more ideas to consider:

* Make friends with the local Library, where you can feed your mind — for free — with an array of stimulating books, magazines, professional publications, videos, CDs, DVDs, and more–in your many areas of interest. These may be hobbies, intellectual interests, spiritual interests, and even your career field. You can “go back to school” at your library using their free resources for self-study.

* Listen to music. Choose music that truly feeds your weary soul and lifts your spirits, that has a calming effect on your anxiety. Music is used in professional therapy to heal, and can be therapeutic for you, too.

Finding some useful free resources may help get your mind off the lack of income, and provide healthy ways to move through the journey called job search.

Best,

~Kathy

By: Maile Keone

Maile Keone — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:26:56 +0000

A different take on #1 and echoing Steven…Take up a new hobby, it stimulates the brain and increases creativity, which in turn leads to opening new possibilities.

By: How Do You Know Your Resume is Great? | Melissa Wells - Career Consultant

How Do You Know Your Resume is Great? | Melissa Wells - Career Consultant — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:56:54 +0000

[...] But why are you asking yourself to find even more time and enthusiasm to create a compelling resume? Isn’t the job search draining enough? [...]

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:48:28 +0000

“Remember one of the definitions of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results…”

This is not a definition of insanity. This is an often repeated cliche that is untrue and frankly does not make sense.

Just thought you should know.

By: Steven Savage

Steven Savage — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:15:45 +0000

I’d also add, as per my bias, get involved in your hobbies more. Like Science-Fiction? Take those managerial skills to run your local science fiction convention. Work with little league? Use those graphic arts skills to make flyers. Like to knit? Use your web skills to help out with your knit shop’s web page.

These things connect you with people, hone your skills, and can even flesh out a resume. Plus you stay active while enjoying yourself.

By: Melissa Wells

Melissa Wells — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:00:58 +0000

So glad you mentioned physical work – around the house, yard. The physical work helps clear the head and provides a much needed accomplishment to herald, “Look! I planted flowers today. Aren’t they the best flowers you’ve ever seen?”
The regroup, go back to school and change industries point to the same thing – keep examining what you want in a job and why. Your initial assumptions may be wrong.
Love this Jason!

By: Susan Joyce

Susan Joyce — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:19:51 +0000

Great idea and excellent advice!

Also:

* Volunteer for a charity/cause important to you: your kid’s school or the local food bank, meals-on-wheels, Red Cross, etc. Good for refreshing your perspective AND your network.

* Find, or start, a local job search support group. Check with local churches, snyagogs, temples, community centers, libraries, etc. to find others in the same boat. You can help – and learn from – each other as well as refreshing your perspective and your network.