Did you recently lose a job? Were you fired, or did you resign? No matter what the reason is, we are sure you are back on hunting jobs. But unfortunately, finding a job can sometimes take more time than expected.
Even after putting your all into your job hunt, there are situations when you aren't successful in finding employment.
It might be discouraging when you don't see the fruits of all your labor, but don't give up. When you are unemployed, you may make your job hunt successful by adhering to these few easy recommendations!
What to do when you can't find a job
1. Positivity is the key
If you have no idea about what to do for a job, then positivity is the answer. Anyone who comes into contact with you can see that you have a positive attitude, which can be the attribute that makes you more employable. You may maintain a good and positive attitude by;
- Keeping in mind that you can conquer this hurdle
- Finding time each day to engage in what you like
- Continuing to be active
- Eating wholesome food
- Having enough sleep
Also read: How to stay fit while working from home
2. Enhance your online presence
Most hiring managers, according to studies, would check out a candidate's web presence even before contacting them for a job interview. What does your online persona look like? Does it consist primarily of posts with political opinions mixed up with family photos? Make sure your internet presence is up-to-date and highly professional as it is one of the most crucial components of your job hunt. Therefore, if you don’t know how to find a job you like, then become more visible.
Take the time to update and clean up your profiles so that future employers can see that you are an active being who constantly updates their social media profiles. If your current profile is too personal, then you may also develop new profiles that portray you in a professional light.
3. Consider upskilling
One of the biggest reasons you might not be able to get work is that you are not fully qualified for the positions you've been applying to. Employers frequently won't consider hiring someone who has insufficient qualifications, training, or work experience required for the position. Consider returning to school or using online resources to learn and acquire the abilities you need to improve your skill set to more closely match what employers want.
4. Look for other flexible jobs
Even while you may have your heart set on a flexible schedule or a full-time work-from-home arrangement, it may not be possible right now. Thankfully, there are many different kinds of flexible employment opportunities available.
- Increase the scope of your search to include freelance or contract employment, part-time remote work, flexible work hours, alternate work hours, and any combination of these.
- If you are exclusively looking for full-time, 100% remote work, you may not find enough job vacancies.
We highly recommend you keep an open heart. Remember, experience is the key and not the wait!
5. Keep practicing
Congratulations if you've progressed through the application process to the interview stage! However, if none of those interviews result in employment offers, it could be time to improve your interviewing techniques.
- You may practice in front of your loved ones or even other job searchers who can give you sound advice on what you're doing well and where you might need to make some changes.
- Ask a mentor in your profession or a previous boss you get along with whether they'd be willing to participate in a mock interview with you.
- If not, you might want to think of using online career counseling as a way to gain useful and constructive criticism.
Nowadays, the majority of interviews take place online. Thus, it is good to get ready for the remote interview process before your next interview.
6. Time to discover the problem
It's beneficial to take some time to consider why (and where) you might be struggling if you're having trouble finding work. What stage of the employment hunt is the most challenging for you? Is it true that you are unable to find the jobs you wish to apply to? Or do employers ignore your application once you submit it? Do you go through the interview process just to get rejected from jobs? Understanding the reasons for your unemployment is crucial to changing your direction and getting your desired job!
For instance, you could be searching in the wrong places if you frequently struggle to discover high-caliber jobs in your field. The bulk of the openings listed on big-box job search websites might not be relevant to you, your skills, or your requirement for flexible work.
If you are not receiving an interview invitation, ask yourself if your application is as strong as it can be. Make sure your resume is in a modern style and lists all experiences that are pertinent to the position you are applying for. Are your interviewing skills rusty? Are you confused about how to pitch yourself during an interview? Are you depressed that even after meeting with so many hiring managers you are still not getting the job? What you can do is practice more. You can get the hang of things with practice so that you successfully land the job you want.
7. Consider other industries
If you've attempted to get a career in one area but aren't having much luck, it could be time to look at opportunities in other industries, even though it's not necessarily what you first desire. You could be surprised by how much more you appreciate a new job field than you anticipated and by how many of your talents are transferrable from one sector to another. Once you've made the transfer, you could even discover that your work life has undergone an exciting metamorphosis as a result of your job change!
Also read: 19 best flexible jobs that pay well
8. Customize your application
It might be tempting to utilize the same resume and cover letter with only a few minor tweaks here and there when you're applying to several job opportunities over a few days, weeks, or months.
Recruiting managers search for applicants who are the ideal match, thus, taking some time to modify your resume and cover letter for each position can do wonders in helping you stand out.
Remember that the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) may not be picking up your information based on its keyword searches, which might be one of the reasons you are having trouble finding work. Adding relevant keywords that the ATS has been designed to look for to your resume and cover letter can offer you a great advantage.
9. Build a network
It might be challenging to put yourself out there to expand your network, particularly if you are an introvert. But one of the best methods to make new friends and get leads for your job hunt is through networking. While the majority of face-to-face networking opportunities are postponed due to the pandemic, there are plenty of online networking opportunities you may participate in from the convenience of your home office.
10. Volunteer
Volunteering is a fantastic way to spend your time while looking for work. Along with providing you with a means to give back to your community, it also allows you to network with others to advance your career. Therefore, volunteering becomes the best thing to do when you can't find a job.
11. Think about your own business
If you're having trouble finding employment, you can launch a company that specializes in your field of knowledge. Owning your own business is a tough but rewarding experience that will surely impress potential employers, regardless of whether you want it to be sustainable or merely a method to generate money and get experience.
12. Gather referrals
By establishing contacts with individuals who work for the organization you're pursuing, you can improve the success of your application. Alumni from universities may be a valuable resource. Contact a professional in your preferred field who attended your institution or university and ask them to pass along your resume to an employer.
13. Take a break
Giving yourself a break from job seeking doesn't mean you give it up completely or take a lengthy vacation. Even taking a single day off now and then may replenish your batteries, leaving you feeling reenergized and prepared to resume your work.
It's acceptable to occasionally take a break from your job hunt. Allow yourself a day or a few days off, and while you're doing something enjoyable and energizing, think about what is not working well in your search.
When you return to your job hunt after taking a break, you'll discover the reasons and you will have more enthusiasm and drive.
14. Relocate
The final answer to what to do when you can't find a job is to relocate. To get a job in a particular industry, some people prefer to relocate to a new city, state, or nation. If you're seeking a remote position, your location might not be a big deal. However, it does assist you to narrow down your search to the professions and jobs that are most suited for remote work. To hasten your search, we advise you to do a little study on the people who are frequently hiring in your sector.
15. Change your mindset
If you've been job-looking for a while and haven't received any answers, it is easy to feel dejected. If this is the case, all it could take is a shift in viewpoint for you to make progress and experience some success. Having the right mentality is just as crucial as taking a break from your job hunt. Applying for several jobs and potentially not hearing back from employers is difficult.
Try to have a good attitude and view each application as an opportunity to improve and fine-tune your procedure rather than approaching each new job opportunity with anxiety.
Improve your search strategies, make your application process more effective, and learn what keywords to use for an ATS. These are all crucial tools to use while you conduct your search. Try to keep your attention on the progress you are making with each application. Every time you apply for a job, you refine your procedure, which is a fantastic step toward getting hired. Honor those little accomplishments!
16. Try something temporary
If you have been trying for a job for a long time but haven't found the ideal situation, you might want to think about taking on a temporary role. Temporary jobs are a great opportunity to network professionally, gain new skills, and get your foot in the door at a firm. And you never know; when the company's initial assignment is through, some temporary employees—even seasonal ones—may be presented with offers of permanent employment.
17. Review your resume
Resume errors and typos may be the reason you've been applying for jobs but are still having trouble finding work. It's more likely that you may overlook some crucial errors after you've reread your CV so many times.
Any second set of eyes should always go through your resume before you send it in. Before submitting your resume for any job have a spouse, family member, friend, or resume review specialist give it a look. They may point out any obvious errors you should fix. If you can't do that, consider altering the resume's font, size, and color before sending it so it seems different to you. Once you are happy, switch it back to the appropriate font before applying.
Also read: Top 11 skills to add on resume in 2022