Ways to Keep Your Head Up When The Job Search Drags on

Thank you for posting this article. Finding a job - one of the most difficult obstacles in life. It is six months now that I am searching for a job. Have migrated with my family to Calgary, Canada and have connected to lot of people through linkedin, friends, recruiters , previous company peers and still continuing. Have amended my resume after consulting a recruiter, did some research on the companies that I need to focus based on my experience, have been following up with recruiters, however, majority of them advised me to look up to their website and apply for jobs that suits my profile.

I could not agree more !!

@Mark maybe it is true that we need to help workers emigrate to other countries. However, most Americans do not want to become expatriots but want to find jobs at home. You are trying to start a career in engineering. Have you made contacts at companies that interest you? Are you looking around for in-person networking opportunities so that you can learn more about the field? Have you tried getting an entry level position through your college? Word of mouth with family and friends? There are tons of engineering jobs available in the US. Unless you really want to emigrate to Russia, I would keep on looking.

We really need to find some way to help the emigration of skilled U.S. citizens. I have been desperately trying to start some kind of career in engineering for a bunch of years. From what I have read and heard, I believe Russia still needs engineers. There are probably at least hundreds of thousands of skilled people in the USA who are willing to emigrate, and I do not limit that estimate only to engineers. If we can establish a foundation, or entity, to help potentially productive employees start appropriate careers, that will be a good thing on many levels. We will see U.S. students pursuing foreign language study much more aggressively.

@Phyllis the jobs are there regardless of age. Have you tried networking with any of your former coworkers or managers? Try finding some of them and let them know that you are job searching. Narrow down the area where you truly want to work and then find companies that can use your talent. Contact them via email or phone - whatever is most comfortable. You never know. Many companies have jobs that are only posted on the company site so make sure you are checking there. @Barbara we sure do feel your pain. Remember that the job posting is a dream list for the employer. They sit down and hash out everything that they might need for the position and then send it out. So if the job posting says that you need 10 years in one area but you only have 6, I would still apply. More than likely they will never find their dream candidate so don't let that stuff sway you. Apply for the job and let them know, in the cover letter, how you will benefit them even though you don't have 100% of the skills they are requesting. As for the bait and switch tactics many companies use - when you set your interview, make sure that you both agree on the position you are interviewing for. Be very specific when they contact you. This way, hopefully, you will interview for the position you want, not another one that is of no interest. We wish you all the best.

I have worked over 31 years with credit unions. from receptionist to branch manager. I have had lots of interviews with banks, credit unions and customer service. It's been six months and I'm still unemployed. Does being 51 mean that there is no hope for my future?

I have over 30 years experience in my field of dairy processing. I have trained and mentored numerous employees over the years, I've had good experience with hiring of supposedly unqualified people, but with training and guidance some of them were promoted to foreman or supervisor.

I agree!

My final issue that makes the job search difficult ioccurs when employers state that the job requires _ number of years of experience. The vast majority do not specify whether the experience required is post grad school, or whether your years of hard work as an intern are acceptable. It makes me wonder if HR people receive any training in writing clear, concise job descriptions.

Another problem that affects job searches appears on employment sites' search engines. When entering information under job category, college degree, etc. frequently there is no category for Social Work or Mental Health. Social work degrees aren't even listed on drop down menus. When entering certifications in job search engines' online forms, they do not end up in chronological order or with the most important one on top no matter what I do. It adds to the stress and frustration when the online forms are poorly designed. And it also makes it more difficult for employers from finding your resume.

One of the problems I find is that the posted job posted is not the job the company is hiring for. I go in for an interview and find out that the job is not as advertised. I find this disrespectful.

This is so true. The big black whole of internet job searching is frustrating. I found a job I felt I was perfect for and had all the skills addressed in my resume. They felt I didn't have the right skill set. So frustrating and deflating.

Thanks for you ideas to keep going in this difficult time.

It is tough job hunting every day,but thanks for your inspiration to keep trudging on. Good luck to all and God Bless you.

Love this quote: I am grateful for all my problems, after each one was overcome, I became stronger and more able to meet those that were still to come. I grew in all my difficulties. by J.C. Penney

Thanks again everyone for the great comments. Searching for a job is tough at anytime but even more so when the economy is struggling to recover. @Martin, it's not the President or his administration that creates jobs but I truly understand how you feel. I dare say that if another party takes office, we are going to feel the brunt of that rather quickly. It's great to hear that many of you have found ways to cope with your current situation. It's tough to be with a company for many years only to be let go due to technology taking your jobs or someone younger who is willing to take less money. But remember, you have the experience and you need to take that experience for a test drive. Even if the new position pays a bit less, it's worth it if you still want to work. If you are 62 or older, consider taking early social security if you can. @Fred, sure do feel your pain but honestly, what are the alternatives? We have to either be financially stable where we don't need a job or be at the point where we can actually retire and draw social security - not much in between. So we have to keep trying - keep focused on the end results. The jobs are out there. Granted the salary may not be what we expect or hope for but it's a foot in the door to prove ourselves and increase our salary base. So yes we have to keep positive and keep busy. Use our time, when we aren't job searching, to do something positive even if it's cleaning out our closets or making a home-cooked meal every night. Keeping as positive and upbeat as possible is the way to find that next job.

I can relate to his article. I have been looking for a job in my field for over 9 months. I have a full time job but I am literally making half of what im used to. I have been depressed and isolated myself. I thought that it was me and i was doing something wrong. I have been doubting myself and wanted to give up but somehow i keep going.

Yeah this job search is definitely a grind. Like the article read though it's only temporary. I'm not going stop until I find the right job for me! I want to work somewhere I can appreciate and feel appreciated.

Nice article. Thank you. It feels good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. Some days are upbeat & some days not so much. But this article will help now.

A lot of people get a severance pay of some type when they are laid off or outsourced, from companies they have been with a long time. But some can't even get unemployment. College degrees are nice but it is just a piece of paper, if you can't find work in your field of study or job experience. There are jobs out there but they are minimum wage jobs and a person can't pay rent, utilities, at those wages, much less, support a family. So, taking all the listed things said in the article as a whole, its depressing.

That was what need to here.Because it is very hard looking for a job.I'm not going to stop looking. Thanx.

I needed this today. Thank you

Great Read!!!

It is so hard to stay positive in a negative world but thank you anyway, I'll keep trying.

That was inspiring. I have had thoughts of low self worth while try to get a job. Now I have started doing some online courses and that keep me busy. Thank you for this.