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HELP! Need Motivation after numerous rejection emails.
I've been unemployed since the middle of July, the COVID Bug strikes again, after 21 years I'm struggling to find motivation to continue searching,.. I feel I'm so out of my league in my job search. I've worked in advertising for over 30 years, various roles, 3 employers... so I'm dedicated. HELP!
Jennifer TaylorCommunications Professional
1.28k
11/15/20 at 5:20PM UTC
Hi Cyndi! I will echo what everyone said. I lost my job in April and have had only a handful of interviews. I’ve been in creative project management myself for over 20 years. Don’t rely on job postings, you really need to network. Pay for Linked In Premium and start adding connections and use those connections to get informational interviews. Even if someone doesn’t have a job open right now, you will be at the top of their mind when something does open.
Polish your resume, keep it to two pages and make sure your Linked In profile matches. I prefer not to post my resume on Linked In, but rather a quick fact sheet. My job history is already there on Linked In, and posting only a fact sheet has led to more people asking for my resume, and then I can customize my resume to that open position and company.
Mental health... so important! With winter setting in, try to get out for short walks during the day the clear your head. Step away from the computer at 5, and don’t sit down again until 8 am.
Connect with me on Linked In and we’ll get through this together!
Steph Rand
11
11/15/20 at 2:34PM UTC
Hi Cyndi,
I can't relate more to your post. I have been out of work since June as well and just landed something. The only way I got thru was trying to be kind to myself and giving myself time away from my computer / smartphone during the weekend. I know, easier said than done.
I also joined Linkedin Premium and joined a group of others in my field in weekly meetings to discuss the industry but also managed to make a lot of friends which helped a lot during the difficult times I wanted to give up. I never said no to an interview and would follow-up on each resume I submitted. I would prepare before each interview with questions about both the company and industry to show I came prepared. Sometimes this worked and sometimes it wasn't needed but I always felt better being more prepared and it helped my confidence with each interview.
Know that you're not alone. It's brutal out there. Something will work out.
Rebecca Lee VCredentialing Specialist
3.44k
11/14/20 at 3:18PM UTC
I felt your pain. I was started looking in May and took my 6 months to find work. It was awful. I never felt so inadtaqute and a failure. I think in that 6 months I only had 17 interviews. Anyway, I did many things. First I updated y resume and mirrored it to my LinkedIn, spend the money on Premium and let everyone know I was looking. I figured out what I specifically wanted to do and focused solely on that. I spoke with any cold calling Recruiters, I followed update with every application I made. I networked everywhere. I kept myself open and out of the blue I was presented for a job I had no experience in and got it.
Yes it was exhausting but I worked part-time so I was able to spend 20 hours a week looking for work. I also took time for myself. In the evenings I walked away from the computer and didn't think (or tried not to) of my job search. I exercised, read books, watched movies, drank lots of cheap wine (which the California Roots at Target is actually good).
And finally don't beat yourself up. It is hard out there and it isn't getting any easier.
Debbie HigginsDirector Massachusetts
40
11/13/20 at 7:53PM UTC
Hello! Consider hiring a career coach to assist you in assessing your transferable skills, weekly goal setting, resume review and motivation. I used one and it helped me greatly in re-sharpening my focus and keeping motivated. It also assisted me with self confidence and understanding there a lot of people going through the same thing right now. You need to network and have informational interviews. Linked In has been a great resource for this. It is not easy but small steps each day give you power in the process. Stay positive! Best wishes!
JYJ
6.73k
11/13/20 at 2:42PM UTC
Target companies you're genuinely interested in and reach out to the decision makers. PM skills translate into so many different arenas. It took me 7 months, hundreds of contacts, being ghosted after tons of interviews, loads of rejections and I finally just landed. The most important thing I can share is learn to rest, not to quit. Taking some long weekends was critical to my mental health and staying motivated. I decided to get excited about the possibilities out there because there are so many. Keep growing your network. Reach out to strangers. Stay curious. The right role is out there for you!
Michele Burling
197
11/10/20 at 10:48PM UTC
Cyndi, hello! I get it, I'm there too! What platforms are you using for your search? Are you networking through FB and LinkedIn?
Keeping a positive mindset is difficult in any job search, even more so in our current times. Reaching out here was a great step. Tell us more about your search routine and parameters, and maybe one of us can offer some assistance there. Taking a break is a necessary thing. Also, have you considered pivoting, using your skills in another area or role where you've had interest or could make a difference, like a local Food Bank or Mission?
