I’m tired, ladies.

15 Comments

1. Melissa Boillot, SHRM - SCPJanuary 19,2023 at 4:46AM UTC

   Job searching is so hard - stay positive and keep at it!!

2. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 2:16PM UTC

   as painful and disappointing as it is, if you want to work, we have to jump through these pathetic hoops, in our broken employment world.

   you hear constantly how there is so many job openings, not enough applicants, not enough talent and where are these real jobs? I think I’m going to get in my car and drive around and look for help wanted signs, it seems to be more efficient than some of the listings even on websites. no one responds with even a letter, saying they’ve received your application. The world has gone crazy we’re living in unprecedented strange times, and the volunteer world is just as crazy applying.☹️☹️☹️

3. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 5:09PM UTC

   Sorry you are having such a hard time. Who knows- maybe you'll find something with good old-fashioned "pounding the pavement". Can't be any worse than sitting home waiting for employers and/or recruiters to call. And BTW, as for the would be employers who claim/whine "Nobody wants to work", insert eye roll here. They are the ones who will give up and hire a lazy, entitled family member or their friends instead of people like us who actually want to work hard and have skills, talent, and maybe even education. We're better off without 'em :-)! Keep us the good (enough) work!

4. R.A. AndrewsJanuary 22,2023 at 1:42PM UTC

   I like that idea of looking for Help Wanted signs. I now joke with strangers that I am ready to wear a sandwich board that says, "Tell me about your job opening!"

5. Kathryn L. BuerJanuary 23,2023 at 1:01AM UTC

   OK, here comes some tough love. There are TONS of job openings with not enough applicants - but those are generally lower-level office, fast food, and manufacturing/warehouse jobs not mid-management and up.

   Do not sit and answer job postings. Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, etc is primarily a waste of your time and effort. You need to do what people have been telling job seekers for the past 5 years - network, network, NETWORK. Find companies that you are interested in and cold call them. Cultivate the recruiters by doing something for THEM. Get on their radar. Join a job search group to keep your spirits up.

   Tough job markets have been the norm for the past two decades. It IS hard, dispiriting, and painful but they are no shortcuts or easy buttons unless your family owns a business.

6. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 1:16PM UTC

   I'm looking as well and it's exhausting. From being ghosted to going through 5 interviews over the last month and then CEO can't make up his mind what he wants to do. I've decided to have set days and times to apply for jobs and respond to emails. Also, take time for you. You will find a job but you need to take time for you.

7. AnonymousJanuary 19,2023 at 5:01PM UTC

   The job search sucks. It just does. Several people are experiencing the same things. It's the worst job market anyone's seen in decades. But, we can choose to blame ourselves or tell ourselves "It's not me, it's them...at least some of the time. "

   My best advice is to give yourself a break. Don't wait by the phone, or your laptop, ipad, etc. for THE CALL. When you're done crying (and believe me, I've cried and whined about how unfair and one-sidedness of the job search can be), get out and continue to live. Take up or resume hobbies, go get exercise and fresh air. Don't know about you but I'll be damned if I let some anonymous recruiters or hiring managers dictate how I look at myself, decide how my life will go based on if they call me or e-mail me with "a fantastic opportunity you may be right for". Take your life back. I'm not saying to give up the job search, just reasses how much you're willing to let it shape you.

8. R.A. AndrewsJanuary 22,2023 at 1:40PM UTC

   I love this advice. Thank you for pointing out that we can shift focus. It helps, although sometimes that frustration is just REAL. Good luck to you.

9. AnonymousJanuary 21,2023 at 1:26PM UTC

   You are not alone. I am just plain exhausted too. Being in a toxic environment in my current company, trying to find my next great opportunity takes a lot of mental fortitude.

   Small wins like successful first interviews or new job site postings are what’s getting me through now.

10. AnonymousJanuary 21,2023 at 6:02PM UTC

    Please don't blame recruiters. Their job is to facilitate hires and often do not own the timelines and stages for interviews. For every job that gets posted hundreds and sometimes thousands apply. Not everyone gets a response and many companies automate the process so heavily that there is a limited human touch. Especially for higher level roles and technically nuanced ones. Don't give up hope this market is tough and flooded now with high quality talent. The competition for the good roles is steep and if you show fatigue in your interviews or stress it won't help your search. Find things within to give you confidence that you will find the right place and take tighter control of the places that show interest. Ask for timelines, feedback and be prepared.

11. Stacy WigginsJanuary 22,2023 at 1:35PM UTC

    If you are on LinkedIn your profile makes a ton of difference. I lost my job and thankfully my company set me up with an agency who helps displaced people. If you want I can take a look at your profile and give you some pointers. http://linkedin.com/in/stacy-wiggins-02282620 here is my LinkedIn link.

12. AnonymousJanuary 22,2023 at 2:42PM UTC

    I stopped working with recruiters almost completely . When they sent me a message on linked in or in my email I would send a polite reply then forget it , I have never found one job through a recruiter I understand they have time lines lots of call etc it is numbers game for them throw enough at the wall and see what sticks i get itwaiti g for a recruiter to help you in my opinion will get you nothing answer their replies politely expect nothing and look for yourself. I met recruiters from companies here on fairygodboss during the job fairs , reached out to some contacts for advice and even at my company went to hiring fairs updated my LinkedIn profile and my resume finally got a job I love by just applying, changing my attitude ( relaxed and I believed it would happen) being open and not worrying about it . it took a lot of time there is a lot of competition out there I learned a few new skills and kept positive I got my new job and am so happy dont give up and dont out your faith in recruiters keep looking for yourself meet people go to any job fairs you can , take free classes to up-skill and be positive it will happen

13. Laura BrennanJanuary 23,2023 at 2:06AM UTC

    Love the focus on up-skilling! It keeps you engaged, it gives you something to talk about, and you meet new people who are also up-skilling, which helps you build a stronger network.

    Another thing I often suggest is doing something in your field that you can do yourself -- something you don't need an employer to do. Like, for instance, offer to teach a short workshop on one particular thing you do really well. You could see if your local library could use it (especially if it's business-related) or a local nonprofit or business group, or online. You could even post it on YouTube, or write a short booklet that's super useful and publish it as an e-book only. It's not something you'd make money off of (unless you discover you love doing this and suddenly it's a side business!), but it focuses your attention on the skills you have mastered, it helps other people, it keeps you engaged on something that is not the job search, it gets your name out, and it gives you something to talk to your network about.

    You've got this!

14. AnonymousJanuary 22,2023 at 3:18PM UTC

    I just got laid off on Jan 2nd from a Director level sales role. I have never used a resume writing service. I paid but I used Topresume. It was recommended from several friends. Best thing I have ever done.

15. AnonymousJanuary 24,2023 at 3:39PM UTC

    I'm sorry to hear you're struggling, but you are definitely not alone. I've had hopeless moments too. Have you considered ditching recruiters completely? They've never worked for me and I've never found them useful. If you're interested, check out Cultivated Culture. It's run by a guy whose whole method is about forming relationships with the actual people at companies where you want to work. It takes effort, but shows you are qualified and a real person who cares. https://cultivatedculture.com/

    And be kind to yourself too x