Comments on: What to do when you are discouraged about your job search

By: Nony Bizness

Nony Bizness — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 20:23:00 +0000

This is total crap. It’s useless information and you should have kept your mouth shut.

By: Miss Discouraged

Miss Discouraged — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 23:47:00 +0000

Hello, I am currently unemployed and I’m at my wit end right about now. I’ve been putting in applications left and right with no call back. Also I’m currently volunteering at Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital and when I was reading this article I got very angry bout what you said about volunteering at your local organization cause it may help you land a job, from experience no it does not. I’ve been there for 5 months and no one has offered me a job, no one. I’m so discouraged at my decision to become a volunteer that if I could go back to the day I applied , yes I had to apply to volunteer, I wouldn’t. This last month I’ve been at home praying to God for some guidance to where to go now. I’m so fed up that now I don’t want to return I just want to get a job. I don’t know what to do except talk to God. I mean I miss being an independent woman making my own money now I have to depend on my mom or grandmother for gas money, buy gifts for me to give to my family members.

By: Susan P. Joyce

Susan P. Joyce — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:31:02 +0000

Great post, Miriam! As usual!

All excellent, but the ones that resonated the most for me:

* Search for Companies Instead of Jobs – Such excellent advice. Picking that next employer before looking for a job there tends to mean that next job search is not going to be necessary as soon as the current one was.

* Learn a New Skill – fill in resume gaps or gaps in what you need for your long-term career goal. And keep your mind sharp, meeting new people and handling new situations. All good!

* Volunteer – more resume gap-filling activity PLUS network expansion, spirit-lifting FUN (or find another volunteer opportunity).

Great advice! Hope people take it.

By: Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter

Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:51:25 +0000

Wow, what an idea-rich post, Miriam!

What you prove here are there are many, MANY, many motions and movements toward adjusting and rearranging one’s job-search efforts to spawn ‘new’ results.

I love the idea of ‘inserting yourself as part of the chain’ and engaging and asking questions. People adore talking about themselves, and the more we reach out to sincerely get to know others in purposeful situations (particularly via volunteer roles), it seems, the more opportunities to build new, solid links in that chain.

GREAT post, as always, with lots of ideas to help discouraged job seekers feel more hopeful about the possibilities.

By: Gayle Howard

Gayle Howard — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:07:35 +0000

Terrific Miriam; that “Make me sound as general as possible so I can apply for a wide variety of roles” is really the kiss of death when it comes to resumes isn’t it? If jobseekers could really think about it critically, their levels of expertise are actually niche driven. It’s very unlikely that a jobseeker can be a doctor or if that doesn’t pan out try to be a horticulturalist and maybe keep a job as a chemical engineer or rocket scientist up his or her sleeve just in case! The fact is all of us have a specific range of skills that really are suited to a certain area of industry or a type of job. The minute jobseekers want to be all things to all people they fail to communicate their true skills and as a result, lose the interest of decision makers enmasse! I really enjoyed your article. Lots of good, solid advice there!

By: Laurie Berenson

Laurie Berenson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:55:59 +0000

Miriam, I love your two points about being open to speaking with someone outside of your typical network (the concept of a ‘connector’ is a great point)and identifying companies, not just jobs. Networking into a target list of companies and getting your name in front of hiring managers is not necessarily easy, but can reap rewards.

By: Miriam Salpeter

Miriam Salpeter — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:58:01 +0000

In reply to career sherpa. Hannah - Thanks! I am a big believer in that we control more than we think. I can't emphasize it enough! Thanks for stopping by!

By: career sherpa

career sherpa — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:26:58 +0000

Miriam:
Love your pro-active recommendations! Staying positive and motivated all begins with having some control over things. You have pointed out some of the best advice on how to take control as a job seeker! Hats off!