Learn how to keep your spirits up when unemployment is down.

By Anthony Sills

With the average length of unemployment at more than eight months and many people well beyond that, how do you keep from becoming discouraged by a long job search?  Read on for some tips and techniques to help you maintain your sanity, navigate the new economy, and land the job you want.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (part of the U.S. Department of Labor), the average length of unemployment has increased from 29.4 weeks in November 2009 to 34.5 weeks last month. Almost 10 per cent of the United States’ 15.1 million jobless workers have been seeking employment for two years or more.  Heidi Shierholz, a labor economist at the Economic Policy Institute, along with a good number of economists forecast sluggish hiring in 2011 before we see improvements in 2012.

First of all, understand that losing a job is something that everyone will eventually experience.  Just because you are unemployed does not mean you are incompetent or a bad person.  Many times people who have been unemployed for several months will start to believe their lack of employment is a reflection on their individual worth.  This is far from true.  It is completely normal to experience a sense of loss and even be a little depressed.  Your job is to let these feelings run their course.  Acknowledge them and then move on.  Many experts suggest keeping a journal or talking with family members to work through the emotional effects of losing a job.

How do you keep from becoming discouraged by a long job search?

• Keep trying… it’s going to be hard, but try giving up and see what that’s like!
• Keep a normal daily routine. Without a job to report to daily, you can certainly lose motivation. Think of your job search as a regular job, with a definite “start” and “end” time. Adhering to a set schedule will force you to be more economical and productive while you’re unemployed.
• Develop a plan for your job search. Prevent getting inundated by dividing big goals into small, manageable steps. Set priorities instead of trying to do everything at once. If you’re not experiencing success in your job search, take some time to evaluate your goals.
• List your positive attributes. Write down a list of all the characteristics you like about yourself.  This list should include skills, personality traits, accomplishments, and achievements. Jot down projects you’re proud of, situations where you excelled, and challenges you’ve overcome. Review this list often to recap your strengths.
• Volunteer. Unemployment and job loss can take a toll on your self-esteem and make you feel inadequate. Helping others helps you retain a sense of value and purpose. Plus volunteering is an immediate disposition booster. Furthermore volunteering can impart career experience, social support, and unexpected networking opportunities.
• Focus on the things you have control over. You have no control over whether a potential employer returns your call or whether or not they decide to hire you. Instead of wasting your precious energy on situations that are out of your hands, focus your attention on factors you can control during your unemployment, like improving your cover letter and tailoring your resume to your target company and scheduling meetings with your networking contacts.

What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude?

• This question is relative. I can’t tell you how to be happy with or without a job. Learning to control perspective is not easy to teach.
• Don’t fixate on the bad job market news you hear or read.  People seem to feel obliged to inform you of the severity of the job market.  You do not have to listen! Many of these horror stories are untrue, and even if they are true, the individuals involved are not you.  You have different skills, experiences, and attitudes. You will be better served by focusing on positive news right now, not negative. Do not consider this “avoiding reality.” Your goal should be to stay upbeat and positive so you can recognize (and capitalize on) the opportunities coming your way.
• Acknowledge that the job market is rough right now. Not impossible, but rough.
• Fit some exercise, meditation, prayer, and/or positive affirmations into your schedule.  When you feel good about yourself you will start to achieve positive results.

Advice for people “in between” jobs

• Get a ‘band-aid’ job as soon as possible if things are dire. If you’re serious about working then working hours at a fast food place or a local supermarket will only motivate you more to attack every resource possible when you get home. You might even meet someone with a good lead or in the same situation as you. If they get a job there’s no reason why you can’t follow them or at least use your new info to find out who’s ‘actively’ hiring.
• Reflect on what happened and determine what you can learn from the experience (get in tune with office politics, notice signs that the company is headed for financial problems, etc.), and move on.
• Get in touch with individuals who can assist you.  Don’t be scared of “networking”, you can do it. In fact, you must network to land that new job. Many people find asking for help one of the hardest things to do. This is a great chance to see if you can help someone else. Perhaps you know the “right person” for them to contact at their target employer.  Ask for advice or the name of people who can help you find your next position.
• Develop and maintain a “personal brand” and utilize Web 2.0 tools to promote yourself.  The “new” job market demands that you have a current resume, a LinkedIn profile, and perhaps even a website.  There are numerous resources to assist you if you are not knowledgeable as to how to go about using technology to network and promote yourself.

What about staffing agencies and temporary employment?

• Staffing agencies are great but don’t rely on them totally. They are not there to get you the ‘right’ job, there are there to make a living. They are a temporary solution. Sometimes it turns out really well. Sometimes they’ll leave you working in a dead end job never to receive a permanent position. If you think they are representing you and not their client you are sadly mistaken.
• Sometimes a temporary position can help alleviate financial problems.  Many times you will hear about a new opportunity while working your temporary position.  You may meet people who can assist you with your job search.  Remember the age-old adage that “It’s easy to get a job if you already have one.”
• The Los Angeles Times reports that the amount of temporary workers climbed 25%, to an average of 2.6 million a day, during the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same period one year earlier. Why the sharp rise?  Temp workers cost firms an average of 8% less than permanent workers as they usually don’t receive benefits.  Perhaps there is a way you can use this trend to your advantage.  Getting a foot in the door and then “wowing” the employer can lead to a permanent job offer.

Remember that you are in control of your job search.  Avoid playing “the blame game” and pointing fingers.  Update your skills.  Tighten up your resume.  Polish up your interviewing skills.  Be clear on what you bring to the table in terms of benefits to a potential employer.  Maintain a positive mental attitude and avoid becoming discouraged.  After all, if you feel things are at their worst the only direction the tide can turn is up!

About Anthony Sills, M.B.A.

Anthony is a professional writer and editor with extensive experience in the writing field, having earned a B.A. in English & Literature at the prestigious Morehouse College and written professionally for a diverse group of clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to small business owners and community groups. Mr. Sills has been published in various trade journals and newsletters, and is a ghostwriter for several small business owners and professionals. You can reach him at anthony@professionalpenwriters.com.

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