Job Search - The Voice of Job Seekers

9 Ways to Break Out of the Job Search Rut

I answered the following query on Quora I’d like to share. The inquiring person contacted me after I posted to share additional thoughts, but in a job search rut, you can’t stop asking questions:

How do you break out of a job search rut? I’ve been on the job hunt for over a year, and it’s gone cold. Any advice?

If you’re applying to just any job listed, stop it! It’s futile. I know many people want to use the easiest and most passive method —online job boards. I am assuming this is the case when your job hunt has lasted a year and as you’ve said, “…gone cold.” There is no other way to accept your query other than you filling out 30 applications a week. I’ll repeat it, stop it! It’s wasting time.

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The other thing you say is your job search is in a rut. There are too many things to do in a job search in 2017 for it to go in a rut. I can visualize you are asking for a job and not for intel on who to meet to take you to the next step. Although I understand a job search is long and hard depending on the career goal, yes, but ultimately says you’re bored. No leads. No new people in your network who can put you on a path to a referral. A rut.

Ultimately you want to focus on what you want to do and where. It probably counters all the advice most will give, but a single-minded approach is better than casting a wide net. Most job seekers find it hard to become that focused.

Assuming you’ve done nothing else, here are some short term and long term suggestions to help you or anyone in a similar predicament:

Focus

There are enough strength assessments like Strengthsfinder for you to narrow down the professional and personal attributes to build your next career around.

Tighten up on finances

See what expenditures you need to cut back on for the long term. It’s likely the time you’re out of work, and you’re losing money

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Focus on self-improvement

There are podcasts, blogs, and other free online tools to help you grow and increase your skills. Employers love the perpetual learner and

Volunteer

Since you don’t have a job, you can create a relevant experience through charity. If there is a career field you’re interested, then you can explore options by offering your time. This can also be positioned as a job especially if it’s something you’re interested in doing. For more, check out this podcast

Improve communication skills

If you haven’t been writing, then you need to get moving. Companies may have you complete a few assessments before seeing you in person. Many times a writing assessment is done online

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Practice interviewing

You’ll likely need someone to help you remain sharp in responding to questions. Unless you’re job interviewing regularly, start practicing

Network incessantly

This is the most important and the one needing to be the priority. Every social situation has potential to bring you towards your next employer. Don’t be desperate and don’t act destitute. Be open, friendly, and helpful. If you’re networking regularly, your job search rut will go away.

Become a Linkedin all-star

I hope you are as diligent with your Linkedin profile as you’ve been with your resume. There are so many Linkedin articles I won’t expand here. But if you haven’t looked at in the last six months, make it a priority to complete with a photo

Informational interviews

This is a powerful strategy for you to use as a networking tool and a way to find out the qualifications you need once decide what you want to do. This article is one of the best on informational interviewing.

There are other strategies to benefit from, but you can start here. Good luck and keep us posted. I apologize for some of the grammar errors which I’ll come to edit later, but I wanted it to get it out there for you or anyone needing additional specifics.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

How Does Unconscious Bias Affect Older Job Seekers at Work or the Job Search?

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This week’s episode is a republishing of an interview done by Marc Miller, host of the Repurposing Your Career podcast, and the mega huge CareerPivot.com. The basis of our discussion was the article I wrote for Career Pivot, “8 Ways Older Job Seekers Invite Age Unconscious Bias on Social Media.”

As always, you can share your thoughts about the show:

– Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
– Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
– Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

As you know, Marc was on this show several weeks ago and as always quite enjoyable. His new podcast focuses on the person who is experiencing the 2nd half of life. Since Marc has written detailed show notes for our discussion, I will just provide the link for you to check it our here. There are a couple of highlights to note from Marc’s show notes:

“Gut instinct is relied on in hiring decisions. This includes bias. If merit hiring were implemented in many more companies, the unconscious bias would be minimized. The Illinois State Attorney sent a notice to major job boards regarding ageism on their online forms. NPR ran a good article about ageism in hiring.”

I also discuss how to deal with ageism. Satchel Paige pitched in the major leagues when he was near 60. George Blanda played football near 50. Don’t accept the perceptions of hiring managers.

Do you need coaching or instruction?

I am here for it! Use my contact information above to inquire about individual or group coaching. You can also sign up for my weekly newsletter at the top of my page.

Don’t forget–

I will not publish a podcast next week (for the week of July 4) and no shows between July 19-Sept 11. I will post articles throughout the summer at least twice a week. Love to hear from you about your challenges and how I can help.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

How to Breathe Life into Your Job Search

Every day can’t be the same whether you have a job during your job search or not. It’s dead. It’s an exercise in utility. What’s worse, you are explaining to your family why you are not getting results. If your job search lacks life, you must diversify your efforts until you yield results. You need others to help, but you must have resolve.

If you’re stuck, I have some suggestions you should try. Maybe a few of them are appealing, but none of them are easy. Perhaps picking two or three could help you and then inspire other ways to get results and an

1. Create a blog

It’s important to control the narrative of your career, and a blog is the best way. Sure there is LinkedIn and other platforms, but any of them could disappear for one reason or another. Mostly, it should be the best place to find and connect with you. At least, you can take people on your journey sharing your lessons learned, opportunities found and mapping out what works and what doesn’t. Season your blog with your competencies but also with personality.

Employers and recruiters see many lifeless profiles and blog, let yours be the one that resonates with them.

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Read It’s all about your personal brand and what you deliver to employers

2. Lead local workshops/lunch learnings or training

There are all types of opportunities to hone your craft or share your expertise. If you are working, you can see how to lead a lunch and learn workshop for your coworkers. There are some cities with eateries with rooms for a luncheon, and you could be the guest speaker. Then again, there are Toastmasters everywhere with lunch meetings. If you’re not shy and join a small Toastmasters group, it’s likely you can get many opportunities to present.

3. Incessant online/offline conversations

Networking is continuous even with little time. To me, networking is about awareness and opportunity. There is not a place where someone somewhere didn’t make a significant contact where it leads directly or indirectly to a job. You will create both awareness and opportunity as you grow intentional and understand your job search will yield results.

Read Job Search in 2017 is Marketing, PR, and Schmoozing

4. Using creativity, audacity, and disruption to reach hiring managers

Unfortunately, many people who guarantee one document or technique will get you an interview. For most people, creating opportunities whether it’s through an intro using LinkedIn to sending a cold email, it’s reliant on your ability to think out-of-the-box.

Stop saying you’ve tried everything! It’s likely you’ve only attempted a few methods.

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5.Reach out to startups

Start-up companies are more likely to skip the formality of large corporations. There are pros and cons to working with smaller companies, but the opportunity to stand out once hiring is tremendous in many cases. They are harder to find but if you’re targeting companies and not spray and pray resumes all over job boards with no luck, this gives you a better chance. It’s easier to talk to people than engage the large company machine.