Right now, according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person is out of work for about 23 weeks. In the scheme of things, that’s not so long. Lots of life’s most momentous events last longer than that. Pregnancy is 40 weeks, the Knot.com says the average engagement is about 56 weeks (14 months), and (again according to the BLS) the average job tenure is about 214 months (4 1/2 years).
However, when you’re out of work, a month can feel like a year and 28 weeks may seem like an eternity — especially if you’ve just started week 29! If you’re giving your job search your all, you should be spending at least 35 hours a week on your search. It’s like having a full-time job with twice the stress and no paycheck!
If your job search feels like it’s dragging on, here are 8 survival tips that can help take the pressure off:
- Try something new to earn a few bucks. Few people can afford to be without a paycheck for long, even if they’re drawing unemployment or have received severance. Money-related stress is one of the worst things about being out of work. Relieve yours by trying part-time work in a role you’ve never had before. We’ve had senior execs take low-level sales jobs at clothing chains just to get out of the house, earn some money and give themselves a sense of achievement. Do what you have to do to keep your mind and body healthy while looking for your next career move.
- Expand your search. Maybe you need to look in a new geographic location. Perhaps you’ve been looking for jobs only in the city and have overlooked the suburbs, or maybe you’ve confined your search to a particular type or size company. Open up your imagination and broaden your search.
- Try a different route for getting a meeting. Search firms and ads are the go-to tactics for many job hunters, but 36 percent of GetFive’s professionals get their meetings by contacting companies directly. Find out the names of department heads and ask for a meeting whether they have job openings or not. Remember, you’re not just job hunting, you’re career building.
- Be flexible on compensation. When you’ve been out of work for a while, there’s the salary you want and the one you can live with. Be open to jobs that might pay lower than you would like, as long as it’s still enough to live on.
- Surround yourself with positive people. Job search groups that are full of bitter, angry, and depressed people are no place for you. Positivity breeds positivity. Join groups that allow you to make positive contacts and meet people with an upbeat attitude.
- Treat job hunting as your current job. Everyone has those days when they just don’t feel like doing their job, but we all do our work anyway because we’re professionals. You need to treat your job search the same way. Do it every day, even when you don’t feel like it. Giving up is never an option.
- Partner up. Pairing up with someone who’s in the same situation as you, going through the same challenges, and doing so with the same positive attitude can be wonderful support. You not only get to brainstorm ideas with someone, you get emotional support, too.
- Take care of yourself. Don’t let your health regimen slide because you’re out of work. Continue to exercise regularly, eat well, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid picking up any bad habits like smoking, overeating, or drinking to excess. Be conscious of your safety, too. Job hunters are often distracted, and we’ve heard from plenty who’ve been mugged, walked into walls, and lost wallets, purses, or phones because their minds are elsewhere.
Job hunting can feel long, even when you’re doing everything right to ensure you get another job quickly. It’s important to take steps to relieve some of the pressure so you can focus on long-term results, rather than on passing minutes, days, and weeks.
