Getting Up from a Job-Hunting Slump!

Whether you are a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, it is a known fact that one of the most challenging tasks in one’s professional life is getting a new job. There are so many competitors for a limited number of positions that it seems impossible for an average person.

Jobs are offered everywhere, especially online; the list includes every position ever created in businesses. But despite the staggering number of available work, why is it that there are those job seekers who could not get employed? I have seen and heard from a lot of people how frustrated they are to the point that they are willing to accept any work, without regard to their hard-earned credentials. There are those who seem to always fail their interviews, and there are also some who can’t even get scheduled for an interview. This is the point when they say that they have hit a job-hunting slump.

The problem is that being in a job-hunting slump makes everything much harder for you as a job seeker. You feel tired, frustrated, and most often, disappointed. You constantly question yourself. This should not be the case. Here are a few tips on how to combat job-hunting slump:

1. Take a step back and reevaluate.?Having stress during a job hunt is never a good idea. Before you make the mistake of settling for whatever job offer from scrupulous sources you get or giving up and deciding to be a professional bum, learn to unload steam! Spend a few days off from browsing ads and sending applications. When you have calmed yourself back to sanity, it is time to take your first step in getting your new job by reevaluating your personal profile. Study your resume, your list of skills, and research on what kind of job would best suit you. One of the possible reasons why you can’t get a job is because you were applying for positions that require skills and work experience you do not have yet. You will get a managerial position in the future. But for the meantime, learn to appreciate the lower positions as you grow yourself professionally.

2. Diversify in choosing an industry.?There are a lot to choose from food service, manufacturing, hospitality, among others. Perhaps you were only looking to get a staff position in one specific industry. Diversifying your search in the industry will greatly increase your chances of getting work.

You don’t have to try every industry, if you are worrying about the possibility of not enjoying the job. Moreso if you are trying to specialize in your practice. You can narrow down your list of preferred industries to at least three. The point here is to broaden your choices just enough for you to increase your chances. Do not be afraid to delve into an industry that might not have been your first choice, especially if you are a fresh graduate who is looking for work experience. But remember, keep them as close to your planned career path as possible!

3. Consider job offers from colleagues.?Job referrals are great help for anyone looking for work. Maybe you have someone in the family that can refer you to the HR manager of their company, or at least inform you as soon as there is a position available. Perhaps you have friends who are more than willing to put a good word about you in their offices. Maybe you have a family member who is looking to find someone they can trust to help them manage their businesses. Considering all of these will greatly help you in landing a job. Do not worry, getting job offers is not a sign of weakness. In fact, even professionals would consider tapping their connections in times needed

4. Don’t lose hope.?Job hunting is never easy. Do not compare yourself with others who might have landed a job in their first try because the majority of the people applying for work are in the same boat as you. Keep searching for jobs that match your qualifications and don’t take rejection too personally. Who knows, a rejection might be a saving grace that prevented you from getting the job that you might not be able to handle or might have been too simple for someone with your credentials. Consider different options and be open to other people’s help. Eventually, you will land a job. If you get one that you have been really eyeing for, then congratulations! If not, consider your first job as a steppingstone to that dream job you have your eyes set on for the future.

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