Job Search Questions

16 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 8,2023 at 1:27AM UTC

   I'm a freelancer since, I was in uni, so I don't know much about job. But freelancing your skills as a side gig can have it's benefits. Though it's not easy also. Initial you have to do a lot of free or low cost stuff to establish. just like you invest money, here you invest time. Also it depends in which field and where you opt to start. May be you can get someone to assist you with starting while you're searching for job

2. AnonymousOctober 8,2023 at 5:06AM UTC

   I've been a freelancer for over 10 years in Content/Editing, but with just minimal projects that don't bring in a lot of capital. My question is more is it fruitful to side gig and search... or should I just focus on the job hunt, itself?

3. AnonymousOctober 9,2023 at 1:13PM UTC

   I think that both is the best bet. I was unemployed for 11 months and took a job selling cars for two years until I could land my "dream" job from where I retired. I took a temporary position and worked towards finding something in my field. Or you can focus solely on your career goals. Much of it depends on how much you have in savings, whether or not you have additional income, like unemployment or other sources, and how far behind you are on your bills. This is a question only you can answer. I don't believe that there is a wrong answer. Sometimes, you must do what you have to do to ensure you have a roof over your head and food on the table. Your "side hustle" can even work into a viable second source of income once you land a new job, provided you can do both.

4. AnonymousOctober 10,2023 at 12:43PM UTC

   It depends on your situation. Can you go without benefits such as health insurance? If so, then split your focus between contract, gig/freelance and looking for a full-time job with benefits. If not, then focus on getting a job with benefits.

   I told my husband that if I lost my job tomorrow I would work in a restaurant as a server/bartender while I casually look for something. I have an MBA with 15 years of experience and I manage 2 teams, so needless to say my work is hard right now. But I think back fondly on when I worked in a restaurant, I thought it was hard at the time, but comparing it to what I do now it was so easy and I would welcome it in my downtime while I searched for another opportunity. You may want to find something like that for you as well.

   One thing I want to call out is, looking for a job can be a very emotionally draining task, so I suggest, whatever you do carve out some time for self-care (working out, reading, meditating, eating better, whatever else that means to you). Spend some time with your family, because believe it or not this is a period of reset and it gives you some time with them before you go back to a schedule of less time with them. If you can, get some additional training in your field or maybe another field that you've had your eye on...some states/counties offer to supplement the cost of training/college programs. Use the rest of the time towards the job search (networking, submitting applications, looking for gig work, etc.)

   Good Luck!

5. Joann S. LublinOctober 10,2023 at 1:45PM UTC

   I agree with other commentators that you should split your time between job hunting and side gigs. But the freelance assignments ought to be ones that pay relatively well -- and more importantly, will be projects related to your expertise that you can cite to potential employers. Best of luck!

6. AnonymousOctober 10,2023 at 7:14PM UTC

   I depends on your field, I often coach people to do both to expand their professional expertise and to also assure they have funds when needed.

7. G C HesseOctober 11,2023 at 1:53PM UTC

   Not trying to sound mean but really...."neurodivergent" another one of the "Mental Health" people.

   In my world you would not stand a chance....moving way too fast for you.

   Good Luck and be sure and explain "neurodivergent" I had to look it up.

8. AnonymousOctober 11,2023 at 3:22PM UTC

   Your lack of understanding of a particular term does not make it a fake word as you "kindly" imply. Just as some people hate dealing with the public or find finance is not right for them, everyone has different tolerances and bandwidths for different tasks, and all the neurodivergence label does is give a medical reason why that is so for particular people.

   For OP, I find focusing my time on one or the other to be helpful, because otherwise my plate would be too full and I'd get overwhelmed very quickly. Good luck to you, I know the market is tough and I can't imagine how stressful it is doing so with a kiddo! Sending good thoughts your way.

9. AnonymousOctober 19,2023 at 6:55PM UTC

   Thank you. I really appreciate your kindness. Yeah, I'm leaning that way, too. It's just too much with my focus already being pulled in so many directions.

10. Colleen SaddlerOctober 11,2023 at 6:43PM UTC

    It has been my experience that people prefacing a comment with a phrase such as "not trying to sound mean, but" know perfectly well that they are being nasty, but they don't want to be held accountable.

11. AnonymousOctober 19,2023 at 7:02PM UTC

    Highly agree. Thank you.

12. AnonymousOctober 12,2023 at 10:52AM UTC

    In my world you would not stand a chance....moving way too fast for you.

    Don't know exactly what you mean by that comment, but it sounds pretty insulting.

13. AnonymousOctober 19,2023 at 7:01PM UTC

    Agreed. Thank you for this.

14. AnonymousOctober 19,2023 at 7:00PM UTC

    I've spent over a decade in startups that move incredibly fast—I'm very certain I'd survive. And frankly, I thrive in very fast-paced environments, so you can't possibly know that I wouldn't stand a chance.

    Not sure which world that you're speaking of, but I hope you find that it grants you empathy if you ever need it. Every human has mental health and we all deserve to be treated with kindness. I hope you get some happy days ahead and treat yourself and others with more empathy.

15. Nicole ConcepcionOctober 11,2023 at 3:23PM UTC

    keep it up! see if you can reach out directly to the recruiter. focus on what you are qualified for. rooting for you!

16. AnonymousOctober 19,2023 at 6:54PM UTC

    Thank you!!!!