What do you do if your job search is taking longer than expected?

If your job search is taking longer than expected, it could be that your strategy is ineffective. I work with many job seekers who spend most of their time applying online through various job boards and spend less than 10% of their time networking and connecting with people in their chosen industry or job functions. Leaving out the human component will hurt you. Consider these stats: 43% of job applicants apply on job boards and career sites. However, 40% of applicants are hired through an Employee Referral. Your job search should consist mostly of networking with former colleagues, friends, and other professionals - not behind a computer screen.

Be a fresh graduate or an experienced hand out for fresh career challenges, a prolonged job search is very disturbing. Though a lot of factors are there which may provide a cushion or which may worsen the situation, the individual is bound to feel the pinch after a certain point of this journey of uncertainty. When I had to go through this phase during my mid-career life, on one side I did secure my resources of sustenance. This helped me to worry less on financial impact. On the other side, I took a kaleidoscopic assessment of my expertise which enabled me to project a few other profiles which would match criteria of a different set of designations, which otherwise I wouldn't have searched. This helped me finding many new doors to knock.

Stay off the Job Boards and conduct Informational Interviews with contacts you know and trust. Enlist their advice on strategy and advice.

Job search taking longer than expected? 1. Take a contract position short-term, this can offer opportunities to build new connections, inspiration and focus plus it may present a route to a permanent role. 2. Start knowledge sharing on LinkedIN, you need to showcase yourself in the areas you're a subject matter expert/specialist. Insightful comments and blogs take a bit of thought but once you get into the swing it comes more naturally. 3. Get networking! In person networking events are still a great source of information and a chance to learn more about your the target market.

If your job search drags on, use this time to invest in yourself. Prioritize mental fitness by exercising, reflecting on past experiences and future goals through journaling, and seeking inspiration from motivating books. Engage with webinars, podcasts, or courses to stay updated in your field. Join group activities to meet supportive peers or volunteer to shift focus from job hunting. Quality over quantity in applications matters; focus on finding the right fit for you.

In my experience in the professional training and talent development world, the more certifications I had, the more competitive I could be in landing the job I desired. Investing time into skill building and knowledge is helpful in your job search and builds your resume beyond formal training and college degrees. Don't just "attend" a class. Go deep to get certified! Whether a program or an assessment, I've added to my capabilities to deliver value to a future employer. It works for me.

It′s crucial in the job application process recognizing your career destination and pinpointing the necessary skills to reach it. Identifying any gaps between your current skill set and the requirements of your target positions is key. This self-awareness enables you to tailor your applications effectively, showcasing your existing strengths while also demonstrating a proactive approach to acquiring any missing skills. By acknowledging these areas for growth and actively seeking to acquire them, you position yourself as a determined and adaptable candidate ready to excel in your desired roles.

Upgrading your skills is something professionals should do regularly, any time is a good time to do it, and if you're trying to find a job even more so, as it will definitely open up your profile for more opportunities to get it. I heard something very useful from a recruiter a few years ago and he said that even if you already have a job, every time you improve your skills you should update your CV and LinkedIn profile as this will definitely open up new opportunities for you that you were not expecting or looking for. A hidden benefit of attending courses or workshops is that you'll have the opportunity to network and build a stronger or wider network that will ultimately benefit and support your job search.

I totally agree with this! The majority of the jobseekers don’t know about this but networking is the most powerful tool to land a job faster. When I was a job seeker I used to network a lot with HR professional not only to ask about the job requirements but to get to know them better and this is how I landed my first job and worked perfecty????

Most job seekers think that the purpose of networking is to hit up connections for leads and contacts. Barring miraculous timing, this rarely works. Helping someone find a job is not highly motivating. What motivates people is the opportunity to help someone they care about solve a problem or seize an opportunity. Becoming a hero to a colleague, boss, customer, or vendor is powerful stuff! Therefore, effective networking should be more about educating a target market on why someone would need you rather than on why you need a job. I built a 20 year practice using this technique. No one has ever hired me because I needed a client. They have all been introduced because someone thought they needed me.

Networking during a job search is critical! You will have people who know you or have interacted with you speaking to people on your behalf. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and expand your network. Employers would rather hire someone who has been referred to them rather than hiring someone who hasn’t. Think of it this way, when you are looking for a new medical provider, you ask your friends and family for someone they know and trust. Same philosophy when looking for a new employee.

Having worked with thousands of clients, I can honestly say networking tends to be the most avoided job search tactic, and the one that can yield some of the fastest results! Networking is not always the super formal process that everyone imagines. You don't have to a attend an actual "networking" event to network. Just make some arrangements to get out of the house. (Yes, away from the computer!) Take advantage of going to places where people are doing the work you want to do. You can volunteer, join a committee, take a class, or even set up that 1-1 with your old colleague. Just get out and see how quickly you can find what you have been looking for!

When planning your networking strategy, make sure you know what you hope to achieve from each networking meeting. That way you will stay on track and use your time wisely. Networking can be exhausting as you need to be focused in your approach. Also be open to offering your support to the person you are speaking with too so that it becomes a mutually rewarding experience. Never ask for a job, ask for suggestions, advice and guidance. Not everyone will have a job to offer you, or even know of anywhere that may be hiring, however everyone can provide advice. And if you get a referral into a company you are targeting, then that is gold. Realistic expectations from each meeting will help you to stay positive and on track.

If you’re not getting any interviews, it’s probably time to take a hard look at your resume. Is it tailored to the roles that you are applying for or is it a generic document? Are you merely listing your responsibilities and duties or are you showcasing your achievements and demonstrating how they align with the position for which you’re applying. Your resume needs to help the reader connect the dots and see you as a potential fit for the position. It may be time to invest in a resume writing course or work with a professional writer to ensure your resume truly exhibits the value you bring to the table.

Focus your resume and interviews on overwhelming employers with impact. Instead, almost all job seekers focus resusumes/interviews on responsibilites and experience, to make themselves appear qualified. But in a highly competitive job market, employers see so many qualified candidates that being qualified makes you average, rather than special.

Keep looking Network Apply Get a survival job, at least part time, such as local markets, retail stores, drive Uber while still looking for

Make sire you have all your job searching materials and ducks looking good and focused on what you're seeking! This means making sure your online profile, such as being on LinkedIn, accurately reflects your qualifications and your being a professional. It should scream out, "You want me!" The same should be the case with your resume or CV and cover letter. They should all look great, concentrate on what you're seeking, be free of errors and omissions, and reflect the best professional you as possible. And if you have samples of your work, make sure they're looking good. A fresh pair of eyes might see something you missed. Or they might offer suggestions to making your materials even better. Even the packaging can make a difference.

Tailoring your CV and cover letter for each position is essential, despite the extra effort involved. It's crucial to carefully analyze the skills and qualifications required for each job opportunity and highlight how your own skills and experiences align with them. By customizing your application materials, you demonstrate a genuine interest in the specific role and showcase your suitability as a candidate. This targeted approach not only increases your chances of standing out to potential employers but also shows your attention to detail and commitment to securing the position.

Breathe. Job search is different for everybody, son don’t get riled up if your neighbor gets a job before you. Breathe. Do a check list ?Am I doing everything as recommended? ?Am I for the long run or do I need a quick result? Just breathe. ?What else can I do? ?Who can I talk to that has passed through this same experience? Keep Breathing. Remember: You are not the first and you won’t be the last. This too will pass, and you will be laughing in the future. Just remember to breathe. You don’t get points for stressing yourself out.

It is important to realize that you are a special person and have a lot to contribute to any organization that would be lucky to hire you as an employee. Sometimes companies are looking for a certain trait or work experience. Try making a time to meet a friend, former colleague, etc. for lunch or coffee/tea to just talk about something other than the job search. You never know where a conversation may lead and who they may be able to connect you with.

This is under-rated, but so important. When you get dragged down by job searching, your networking and interviewing will reflect that. People will be able to see your feelings, even if you try to hide them. Instead, actively work to cultivate your positivity.

Setting small goals and tracking your wins is a great way to stay positive throughout a job search. Set goals around networking, gaining new skills, and adding to your experience through courses, certifications, volunteer experiences or projects. These are all great ways to create little wins and to continuously improve your marketability as you job search!

Stay creative. Keep doing what you love. No one needs to hire you to create things, design things, or solve problems. Embrace your passion projects and talk about them. I've worked on more than one resume now where the candidate's "COVID project" demonstrated the kind of entrepreneurial spirit and skill employers were impressed with. This slow time could also be a great opportunity to take a class or focus on completing a certification.

Use a job search funnel strategy to break down your transition into a stepwise process and determine which aspects you need to address: TOP OF THE FUNNEL 1. Volume of jobs - 2 to 3 jobs per day 2. Ensure alignment between your profile/resume and job openings 3. Networking & referrals - Connect with hiring managers 4. Skill alignment - Tweak your resume keywords to highlight the required skills noted in JDs MIDDLE OF THE FUNNEL 1. Resume optimization - Personalize when necessary 2. LinkedIn optimization - you know what to do here! 3. Portfolio - showcase your skills BOTTOM OF THE FUNNEL 1. Interview prep - Prepare through mock interviews 2. Follow-up notes - send personalized notes to interviewers 3. Offer negotiation

Give back! Consider volunteering project based consulting work at a nonprofit. Not only does this build your resume and keep your skills sharp, this allows you to remain active within a professional setting offering networking and relationship building. Often times, job leads come through relationships. While demonstrating your talents and abilities at a nonprofit, consider building your network of contacts with people who each possess a network of colleagues and potential job leads.

It’s important to have a solid job search strategy. You can have the perfect resume, but if you’re merely applying to position you find via job boards and not doing anything else then your job search will probably not progress quickly. 80% of all job openings are never advertised on a job board. Let your network know you’re looking as well as reach out to those in your industry for informational interviews. Strengthen your online presence especially on LinkedIn. Optimize your profile, grow your network strategically and participate in conversations by commenting on posts as well as posting your own content. Join groups related to your field or industry. Spend time daily on job search activities even if it’s just a few minutes.

Change what it is that you are doing. Ask for honest feedback from industry professionals about how you are presenting your skills. You think you're the expert on resumes and cover letters? Guess what? You're not. You think you know everything there is to know about finding a job as a professional in your field? You don't! Don't isolate your search to the same websites. Don't isolate your search to the Internet. Go to an employment agency, as humbling as that sounds for a professional to do. See if there are agencies that exist that connect your professional skills with employers. One thing. Just don't continue to do the same thing over and over again. If all you do is search on Indeed and apply to every job with the same resume, repeat!

When a job search is taking longer than expected there is a misalignment somewhere. In all of my clients' cases there are a number of misalignments happening at one time that is causing the delay. Working with a professional can get you off the market quickly, in your desired role and command high-market value. Here are some of the common misalignments: -energy, confidence, belief in success -undefined goals -taking actions based on fear vs faith -difficulty stepping outside of comfort zone -goals misaligned to your talents (i.e. targeting positions well below your value or what you are good at) -no networking strategy -no marketing strategy -using an "apply and wait" method instead of a tried and true job market strategy

Set small goals to keep your momentum! A job search taking longer isn’t a bad thing though it isn’t necessarily fun either. Small goals can be: - applying to 5 jobs a week - making a list of past coworkers - working to have 1-2 informational interviews a week All communication counts and all progress is progress. It just takes one job!

Do all of the above and consider temp work while you wait on your ideal role! Temp work benefits include the following seven: 1.) experience gained, 2.) become proficient in new skills, 3.) network and build your connections, 4.) fill gaps of unemployment on you resume, 5.) learn your way around a new town/city when relocating, 6.) freedom and flexibility and the biggest pay off…7.) earn an INCOME!!

Start side hustles using niche skills & experience. They bring immediate cashflow while allowing you to gain new network and speak to people from different industries

When your job search is taking longer than expected and you feel uncertain about your materials and how you’re interviewing, get help! Invest in hiring a coach to get confident and stay interview ready so when your opportunity comes along, you’ll be ready!