I am in a temporary role.

Anonymous

March 22,2022 at 11:57PM UTC

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I am in a temporary role. It's not a great fit and I want to start searching again, but....

I have been working OT, a lot (as in 20+ hours this weekend) for good pay but with no job security and benefits. I took this job with my eyes open about what it is and with whom I'd be working (people in their first jobs who make twice as much as I do plus bonuses and have no sense of workplace dynamics) because I was unemployed for 6 months and could not find anything. I want to start looking for a full time permanent role again, but feel like before I took this job I wasn't able to secure anything (no responses, being ghosted after 6 hours of interviews, the usual job seeking horrors). Now I am just too tired from doing the tedious work involved with this temp job all day and too disheartened from the 6 months of unemployment to search. I work at a computer all day and when I finish, I feel exhausted and listless and like this kind of work is "all I'm good for," and can't bring myself to sit down and focus on applying for other roles that may be better, less tedious matches because who would want me anyway?

Does anyone have any advice on how to get started?

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AnonymousMarch 23,2022 at 1:38PM UTC
The job search can definitely be frustrating and draining — you're not alone. I would recommend narrowing your search first and only applying to things you'd really want to accept. Then, if you have no luck, you can widen your search a bit.
Robyn McCabria KelsoApril 1,2022 at 3:27PM UTC
Definitely a tough spot. I am guessing you have one day off ...I'd take that day and maybe set a time - 30 minute or an hour and begin the work of searching. After your time is up, move on to the things you'd normally do. Maybe it won't feel so overwhelming if you know once a week, you are going to devote X minutes to your search. Quick and easy way to start is get started with a LinkedIn profile. Hope this helps - good luck!
AnonymousApril 1,2022 at 3:43PM UTC
Temp jobs can often be a foot-in-the-door, but can also be a foot-on-your-backside. I cannot tell what kind of industry you are in, but it certainly sounds like you are burned-out. Short-term, put a limit on your evening and weekend work. Set a timer for sitting at your computer and get up and stretch every hour or so. Everyone needs a chance to recharge their batteries. Long-term, take a day or two ( or more) off from the work, away from the searching and the feelings of frustration. Rest- sleep in, go shopping, take the dog to the beach, meet with a friend for lunch. Whatever it is that gives you joy. And after that, when you think you can breathe again, make a list of things you like to do, your skill sets, and start putting out some feelers with people in that area. Good employers and jobs are out there! Good luck!
Krista Haugner Sieg, MBAApril 1,2022 at 3:56PM UTC
I really like Robyn's advice. Since taking on a job search while exhausted can be especially draining, setting a specific time for job search activities - and following it with a reward - can be really helpful. (For example, I will spend 30 min updating my LinkedIn including asking 2 people for LinkedIn recommendations and then I am going to watch an episode or two ;) of the show I have been excited to catch up on.)
Eri ChapmanApril 1,2022 at 4:30PM UTC
That's always the main battle is finding more time, right? I certainly can relate to that feeling of being burned out, and wanting better for yourself.
I would suggest really asking yourself how badly you want to get out of that situation. I had something similar to you. It was to the point where my mental state was teetering on a daily basis.
I used my time I usually take to try and unwind to search on my phone for jobs I'm interested in. I would create an account and save those jobs.
Get a fresh blank notebook and use that as your job book. I would then jot down notes I could remember from previous jobs I worked at. Not all at once! Gradually collect this information. I thought carefully of dates, Google locations and contact info and wrote talking points for explanations for possible interviews.
Once you have all this together, use programs like canva or Word and get resume templates. Have a solid 4-5 bullets for each position that show how you impacted the company in a positive way. (Specifics/metrics always help).
Search similar resumes that your peers have submitted on the web to make sure yours align.
This is where I would start. 30 min to an hour a day. Before bed, before work, while you're eating dinner, while you are surfing your social media. As long as you can remember your motivation for getting started I think it will be easy to continue. Good luck!
Elizabeth CoxApril 1,2022 at 4:35PM UTC
Applying for jobs can be a real drain, remember you are investing in your future self when doing it. Here are a few tips that helped me in my last job search.
I took the time to write out about 8 paragraphs of really good cover letter material that covered a wide array of my skills. Based on the job description, I would pick two to three paragraphs that were a good fit and made small edits to customize the letter for that posting.
I also standardized my resume so I could use it anywhere. I used to customize the the header and write a small note about the position, but I found the cover letter was the best place for that. With a standardized resume, I could use the “apply now” feature on many online postings.
It takes some effort to get up and running. I echo Robyn’s advice, once I had the cover letter paragraphs and standardized resume ready, I set my goal to apply for 5 jobs a week.
Jenn IslamApril 1,2022 at 6:43PM UTC
The job search is draining. Know that you're not alone. It's okay to take breaks. You are so employable - the right fit is coming your way. Don't give up. Take breaks but don't give up. Have you thought about switching your strategy up a bit? In addition to applying, are you also having networking calls? My previous job search was over a year long. I know some who have tried searching for 2-3 years. It's okay. It takes a while but it will happen, and hopefully sooner than you think.
AnonymousApril 4,2022 at 4:27PM UTC
Robyn's advice sounds pretty sensible given your time constraints and the general tedium that can accompany the search. However, one thing I've heard, and it seems to be true, is that once you have a job, it's easier to get a different job.
Is it possible you can scale back on your hours a little so you can have more time to rest? It sounds like you may be headed towards burnout, on top of everything else.