Two construction workers sat down to lunch. Worker #1 took out his turkey sandwich and eagerly started eating. Worker #2 tentatively opened his first sandwich. Examining it, he exclaimed, “Yuck, peanut butter,” and tossed it aside. Reaching in for his second sandwich, he opened it, and carefully peeled open the bread to examine the contents. “Yuck, peanut butter again!” he cried, with a dismayed look. Worker #1 asked, “Why don’t you tell your wife you don’t like peanut butter?” “Wife?” worker #2 asked, “I packed this lunch myself!”

Many job seekers behave a lot like Worker #2. They create their own discomfort by resisting change and insisting on continuing to job search in the exact same ways they always have, even when they know they don’t like the results. You don’t like peanut butter—or the lack of job offers? Make some changes, because it’s all in your hands!

Some ideas to help you get the lunch you want to eat!

Read the rest on my U.S. News & World Report column.

photo by tunnelarmr