We recently came across this tweet from a user who confessed to having applied for over 200 jobs with zero offers.
The tweet went viral, receiving over 300,000 likes and thousands of comments from other users expressing similar struggles with their own job hunts.
This establishes one thing for sure: finding a job in today’s market can be discouraging, full of failure and can take a way longer time than most job aspirants anticipate.
Our country’s unemployment rate stands at a reported 7.2%, a new low. That’s why for many people finding a job is still a huge challenge.
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Young professionals today have to juggle skyrocketing living costs, stupendous increase in tuition fees for higher education and a rapidly evolving job market. So what is a job seeker supposed to do?
1. Create a schedule for yourself.
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Just because you don’t have a job doesn’t mean you wake up at 2pm and start sending out your resumes by 6pm. Creating a schedule for your job search can help add this sense of control to your life, which can sustain your motivation and keep you thinking positively.
For example, you might set aside one hour each morning specifically to work on updating your resume or set a goal to attend three networking events per month. By incorporating structure into your daily job search, you’ll accomplish small wins each day, which helps foster positive feelings leading to possible positive outcomes.
2. Stay organised.
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The more organised you are, the less likely you are to fall victim to worst-case scenario or defeatist thinking (e.g. “Why bother, I won’t get this job anyway”). So, create step-by-step plans for tackling each piece of the job search.
For example, for one opportunity, you may need to find the contact information for setting up an interview and then draft an email to send. For another opportunity, you may have already landed an interview, so your next tasks would be to research about the company, organize your notes, and lay out your interview outfit.
Breaking down the job search into smaller, more manageable tasks can help a big, daunting process feel less overwhelming and more within your control.
3. Expand your qualifications.
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If you can’t find a job, you might be applying for jobs that you are under qualified for or don’t meet the recruiters requirements. Rectify this by taking on freelance work, an internship, short-term online courses or working part-time for a mentor.
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This can open doors to full-time work as these can add up as more experience for you to showcase on your resume.
4. If you’re planning on getting a Master’s degree, plan well.
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Most recent graduates after facing the hardships of a job search consider enrolling for a master’s degree in the hopes that the job market will be kinder to them when they graduate with an advanced degree.
If you are thinking of doing the same, you need to wisely consider the cost of the degree. Make sure the cost will be worth it, which means your salary should increase. Always remember there is no guarantee that the market will improve a great deal after two or more years- so make this decision wisely.
5. Seek out emotional support.
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Job search is a difficult process that can give rise to feelings of insecurity and an overall lack of confidence in your own self. Instead of bottling these emotions and repressing them further, let these emotions guide you to make changes in your behavior and outlook.
A great way to do this is to turn to a friend or family member, who can provide a helpful reminder that you are loved, cared for, and a person of tremendous value despite the challenges you’re currently facing.
While utilising effective job hunting strategies is important, one of the most crucial things is to have a strong support network of people made up of people who are able to cheer you on as well as those who are able to provide more strategic support, such as help with cover letters. Always remember, while the struggle is real, you are never really alone.