I'm not trying to be a downer BigDaddyG, just that I would make it my mission to send out as many resumes as soon as possible, go all out, don't take any time off.

These days getting a job also has to do with who you know so I would talk to friends, business associates, family, about giving you a heads up on any positions that become available, asap.

Plenty of time to volunteer and involve yourself in other noble pursuits if you have trouble finding work. Can't emphasize enough how important the next couple of months are. Best of luck.

GustavBahler wrote:In today's post crash economy, most companies only hire people who are currently employed. The longer you are out of work the more difficult it will be to find another job, depending on what you do.

I'm not trying to be a downer BigDaddyG, just that I would make it my mission to send out as many resumes as soon as possible, go all out, don't take any time off.

These days getting a job also has to do with who you know so I would talk to friends, business associates, family, about giving you a heads up on any positions that become available, asap.

Plenty of time to volunteer and involve yourself in other noble pursuits if you have trouble finding work. Can't emphasize enough how important the next couple of months are. Best of luck.

I agree with this completely. After I graduated grad school - immediately after the crash - I couldn't find work anywhere. Applied everywhere. Started getting interviews but nothing happened. Milked every connection I had - nothing.

I took a job a PF Chang's but kept interviewing. Usually when potential employers asked "how are you spending your time?" I had nothing to say. But then I said something like "I'm working at PF Chang's... not what I expected, but I believe that if you work hard and make sacrifices, good things happen" or some line of BS like that. I got the first job interviewed for after.

My advice is don't tell potential employer's that you're willing to work hard, do anything, or go anywhere. Show them that.

SupremeCommander wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:In today's post crash economy, most companies only hire people who are currently employed. The longer you are out of work the more difficult it will be to find another job, depending on what you do.

I'm not trying to be a downer BigDaddyG, just that I would make it my mission to send out as many resumes as soon as possible, go all out, don't take any time off.

These days getting a job also has to do with who you know so I would talk to friends, business associates, family, about giving you a heads up on any positions that become available, asap.

Plenty of time to volunteer and involve yourself in other noble pursuits if you have trouble finding work. Can't emphasize enough how important the next couple of months are. Best of luck.

I agree with this completely. After I graduated grad school - immediately after the crash - I couldn't find work anywhere. Applied everywhere. Started getting interviews but nothing happened. Milked every connection I had - nothing.

I took a job a PF Chang's but kept interviewing. Usually when potential employers asked "how are you spending your time?" I had nothing to say. But then I said something like "I'm working at PF Chang's... not what I expected, but I believe that if you work hard and make sacrifices, good things happen" or some line of BS like that. I got the first job interviewed for after.

My advice is don't tell potential employer's that you're willing to work hard, do anything, or go anywhere. Show them that.

Thanks for the tip Supreme. It makes sense.

BigDaddyG wrote:I'm looking for advice beyond the usual lines like "make sure your resume is up to date" and "file for unemployment as soon as possible." What did you guys do to ensure each day was productive? How did you handle the self doubt that crept in each day your job search went on? Was volunteering helpful?

It ****ing sucks and the longer out of work the harder it is.

Just maintain, another job will come, never lose your head although you probably will.

Helps to keep the bigger time frame in mind.

Smoke a lot.

BigDaddyG wrote:

IronWillGiroud wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:I'm looking for advice beyond the usual lines like "make sure your resume is up to date" and "file for unemployment as soon as possible." What did you guys do to ensure each day was productive? How did you handle the self doubt that crept in each day your job search went on? Was volunteering helpful?

It ****ing sucks and the longer out of work the harder it is.

Just maintain, another job will come, never lose your head although you probably will.

Helps to keep the bigger time frame in mind.

Smoke a lot.

Ha, ha Thanks. The problem with smoking is that I never know when a new job comes up and I may have to take a piss test.

Just ask if hypothetically you can delay the drug test for a few weeks!

Also installed about three apps on my phone and tablet, and kept checking those as well. Indeed and GetHired are two good ones.

Use job listings to help craft your resume. If their is a skill that keeps showing up in job listings, make sure it is on your resume. If you don't have the skill... now might be a great time to learn it.

Use LinkedIn to network... and let everybody know, and their brother, that you are looking for work.

VCoug wrote:Sorry man, I've had friends who have gone through this and it sucks. As for advice, I know people who have gotten jobs through volunteer work, either with the organisation they were with through the contacts they made there. Are you on linkedin? If not you should be. It's a good networking site for professionals and I've received several good job offers through there.

May I ask what it is you did and/or what you'd like to do?

And, of course, good luck with everything!

Marketing. I am on LinkedIn, but I need to update my profile. I'm having a 'professional' review my résumé now. Not sure how useful it will be, but it's always helpful to have an extra set of eyes.

BigDaddyG wrote:

ToddTT wrote:Work out, eat well... and treat the job search itself like a job. Wake up with goals every day.

Can you tell I went through this recently? :P

Yeah, the 'freedom' of being able to start drinking at noon and watching Netflix all day gets old quick lol How log did it take you to get back on your feet?

hahahaha been there,

but you know what happens, you start that next job and you wish you enjoyed the sloppy days more

IronWillGiroud wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

ToddTT wrote:Work out, eat well... and treat the job search itself like a job. Wake up with goals every day.

Can you tell I went through this recently? :P

Yeah, the 'freedom' of being able to start drinking at noon and watching Netflix all day gets old quick lol How log did it take you to get back on your feet?

hahahaha been there,

but you know what happens, you start that next job and you wish you enjoyed the sloppy days more

Ha... very true. Even though I had been unemployed for almost a month, as soon as I landed a job I told them I couldn't start for two weeks.