Long time unemployed and finally got a job?

[Anonymous]

I have been looking for a job for over a year and haveN't been able to get one. If you looked for a long time but finally got one, did you do anything differently or change your strategy, tactics or resume to get your job? Was there anything that you did that helped you land your job? I'm feeling very discouraged. I have lots of experience (maybe too much) and have never had much trouble getting a new position. TIA

[Anonymous]

What type of job r u looking for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been looking for a job for over a year and haveN't been able to get one. If you looked for a long time but finally got one, did you do anything differently or change your strategy, tactics or resume to get your job? Was there anything that you did that helped you land your job? I'm feeling very discouraged. I have lots of experience (maybe too much) and have never had much trouble getting a new position. TIA

You probably need to tweak your resume. Can you see a career coach or have a friend of a friend in HR look over your resume? Sometimes one small touch - like removing dates from when you got your degree can make a huge difference.

[Anonymous]

Have you talked to a temp agency? Sometimes, they have access to jobs that are not publicized.

[Anonymous]

My husband went close to three years unemployed. He had started applying for jobs that were entry-level just to get his foot in the door. Finally he applied for a high-level job and he got it. Just keep putting your name out there.

[Anonymous]

I was in your shoes. What I would have done differently...? Two things: I would have listened to my gut more, every time I thought to apply for a job I didn't want. Instead, I'd have networked a lot more in the area that, in the end, was for me.

I appreciate having gone through the process. I did stay active throughout my protracted period of unemployment, professionally and personally. I took advantage of the time I had and invested in home projects, also projects that were tangential to my professional life but served me well in the end.

I may have become employed a lot sooner if I'd had more coffees and attended more professional events. Basically, I should have all but acted as if I were already in this field. More people would have seen my face. I'd have been up on current events in my special area. And, of course, there may have been opportunities that would have come along sooner.

I was unemployed for over a year and a half.

Hoping you find work soon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: My husband went close to three years unemployed. He had started applying for jobs that were entry-level just to get his foot in the door. Finally he applied for a high-level job and he got it. Just keep putting your name out there.

This is basically what ended up working for me as well. I wasted a lot of time applying for entry-level positions, thinking I would have had a chance, get my foot in the door. 1. I would have hated it. 2. In no way were these good fits. 3. It made me look weird to HR, especially when I eventually aimed higher at the same organization.

I over-invested in a position, and was pulling out all the stops to get an interview. Great. While there, and feeling so hopeful, someone referred to me as "woefully over-qualified." I ended up in bed for a good four days after losing out on that position. After that harsh experience, I started fighting within my weight class and got a job pretty quickly (two months later).

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the insights...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you talked to a temp agency? Sometimes, they have access to jobs that are not publicized.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What type of job r u looking for?

Lobbying

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you talked to a temp agency? Sometimes, they have access to jobs that are not publicized.

+1

I've tried talking to them. They are not responsive and all their positions seem to be admin/support, not professional.

[Anonymous]

Any more ideas?

[Anonymous]

I started a consultancy in the interim period between jobs. Only got one real job but spent other time at conferences, volunteering, researching and networking - gave me legitimacy not only on my resume (no gaps) but also with business cards to hand out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started a consultancy in the interim period between jobs. Only got one real job but spent other time at conferences, volunteering, researching and networking - gave me legitimacy not only on my resume (no gaps) but also with business cards to hand out

Did you eventually get a job?

[Anonymous]

Hiring Manager Here.

When I see resumes with a big gap in employment or someone who hasn't found something in a year or more, it's usually a flag that there is something wrong with the candidate and I should pass on the resume, given others have obviously been passing for a year or more as well.

Also, short term employments, tells me you have no loyalty to your employer. If the last 3 jobs you had were each 3-9 months, you're either being asked to leave because you fail or you're leaving for another gig for whatever reason. The likeliness you would do the same to me if I hired you, is very high, making you a waste of my time.

Smart hiring managers see the games that people try to play. The ones that don't see it, are the idiotic companies you probably shouldn't work for to begin with.

Also, if you're very seasoned and unemployed for a year and trying to take something entry level to get back in the game, you won't be loyal and you will be over-qualified, and quickly become bored and likely leave. If you think I'm going to hire you in something entry-level and magically recognize your talent and bump you up to Mid/Sr level management, you're wrong.