Unless we are lucky to find a
great career with a decent company early out of school, or have awesome
networking skills; we are likely to experience an unemployment rut at
some point in our lives. When it happens, it can become our absolute
lowest point.
Rock bottom. No where to go
and no way to get out. That college degree means nothing but
a river of student debt threatening to drown you against the sharp rocks.
The "obvious answer" is to seek
further training. Learn a trade skill that is in demand in your area.
Sign up on tons of job sites and pour out resumes and cover letters for hours every day.
Call and walk-in to businesses to see if they're willing to give you
a chance. Leave a good impression instead of just being another digital applicant.
One tries again and again and
again, but no matter how up-to-date a resume is kept and no matter
how much research is put into trying to ace interviews, nothing pans
out. No one looks at you twice.
In sets feelings of
worthlessness on top of mounds and mounds of worry. When does the
void end and making a paycheck begin? What do you
have to do to get a job? You ask yourself this after you've already
decided to settle for anything that comes your way. However, as the
days turn to weeks, turn to months and so forth (sometimes even
years!) one can only start to lose energy and hope. It feels as if
you and your skills are drying up along with your confidence.
You're willing to do anything to
survive and you do your best to think outside the box. Come on! There
has to be a way! You're willing to give your all in a job, why isn't anything
panning out? Even odd jobs are not as plentiful as before. You're at
your wits end.
I wish I could tell you that
there is a foolproof pathway to success. At this point you're probably tired of
hearing this, but it's true one never truly fails until they refuse to
get back up again. A master is someone who has fallen many times, but
got up that one last time before succeeding. If there is a will, there is a way. One
just has to keep their eyes open and be ready to seize opportunity. A
door won't just unlock for someone. Most times, you have to be the one to kick a
door (or two) open.
Can there be such a thing as
trying too hard? This article brings up an interesting concept:
https://careerconservatory.com/how-i-overcame-my-unemployment-rut/
Basically, stop trying to be a
perfect fit for a company and instead show that you fit as an individual. Good companies don't want robots; they want humans
with diversity. This doesn't mean not to research the company you are
applying to, or not to make sure you are adequate for the position you're applying for.
Be yourself. Be confident in
yourself. Don't let your jobless situation hang over you during your
interview.
Do you have any thoughts on
this matter? If so, please share with me in the comment section
below. Have you ever experienced an unemployment rut? What helped
you?
If
you have any suggestions for topics you'd like me to discuss, please
let me know! Also, if you have any stories you'd like me to voice on
YouTube, please visit my Reddit to submit them to me. I'm currently
working on getting permission for some fantastic stories from there,
so expect to see my YouTube Channel linked in the social media above
in the (hopefully near) future.
Until next time, pups and
goslings!
