If your unemployment period has lasted more than a few months, I am quite sure you are starting to question yourself and even your own abilities.
Over at the Wall Street Journal's blog "Laid Off And Looking", MBA professionals are giving open, honest insights about their unemployment journey. Rather than wallow in self-pity, they are using the opportunity to share the emotions and even frustrations about the highs and lows of today's job search experiences.
I appreciate this blog because it allows other jobseekers to have a resource and outlet to offer advice, give each other support, and even vent about their own personal encounters.
A few days ago, Kevin Mergens shared some sound advice of how he survived his seven-month job search. Key strategies he recommended that I agree with:
1) Jump right into your job search
Rather than wait and allow negative emotions to take over, accept the situation and start the job search process - even if it means just let others close to you know that you are seeking new job opportunties
2) Network, network and network
I really liked what he said about not neglecting your network. Don't wait until you need a job or recommendation to start communicating with your personal and professional network. More importantly, even after you land a job, don't neglect your network.
See related post: Keep your network alive and kicking
3) Expand your education and training
Identify any new skills, training, certifications or advanced courses you can take to support and accelerate your jobsearch. I have personally worked with someone who become "obsolete" in his own job due to lack of current and advanced technology skills.
4) Using niche job boards can be helpful
While I continue to stress that your job search strategy should not be limited to online job boards, you should be taking advantage of niche job boards that focus on companies/industries related to your target position. Here is a guide to finding the top niche job boards:
5) Volunteer and give back
Never underestimate the benefits you can get from volunteering and offering your expertise - while it may not result in an immediate job offer, you can get a personal referral, a LinkedIn recommendation, a heads-up about job opportunity before it becomes advertised, an invitation to an networking event and much more.
