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What should I do if I can't get a job?

201 Answers
Last Updated: 06/11/2022 at 11:02pm
What should I do if I can't get a job?
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Stacy Overton, PhD.

Counselor

I am an enthusiastic life-long learner and also a professor of counseling. I have a passion for peoples stories and helping to guide and empower the human spirit.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
November 5th, 2016 5:42pm
Try getting things done which are obstructing in getting you a job.And focus what areas are your key factors. So that you can improvise your weak points.
SanyaListensYou
November 10th, 2016 7:28pm
Dont lose hope. Hope is actual Happiness!! Plan.Prepare.Presentation.Please Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don’t. And believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
yourlisteningear
January 7th, 2017 6:01am
Focus on building yourself now. Focus on strengthening your mind, your body and enjoy the time being with yourself. Spend time with friends and family too because once you get a job, time in these areas may be lesser. So, divert your attention to the other aspects of life because life is not all about your job. :)
friendlyPerspective32
January 8th, 2017 7:46am
Job hunting can be stressful/frustrating for anyone! Have you or are you currently attending a university? It may help to get in contact with the career center (even if you have already graduated, you may still be able to speak with advisors as an alumni if permitted). They can help you build your resume, edit your cover letters, and search for jobs that match your personal interests and capabilities. If you don't have this service available for you, you can check online; I'm sure there are many people who would provide the same services (including your friends and family members if you ask them!) Networking will also help you. Reach out to people who work at the companies that you are interested in applying to, and ask them questions about their positions, the culture, etc. Not only will you learn more about what the job entails and gain solid advice from current employees, but you will also gain the connections/potential references you will need for obtaining a job at that particular company. Lastly, it would also be important to continue improving upon the skills that you need for the job that you want. Perhaps, you would want to consider furthering your education either through workshops or by enrolling in an undergraduate/graduate program. I hope that this helps, and best of luck to you for finding the job that you want!
GentleBreeze22
January 15th, 2017 3:55pm
When I was struggling to find work, I found that a big boost came to me once I started volunteering at my local school. Not only did voluntary work keep me occupied and help me to maintain self-esteem, it also made me more employable and helped me to find my current job.
scotty4947
January 19th, 2017 2:30am
Find out why those previous places didn't hire you and work on it more. Usually, they'll tell you a reason why they didn't find you suitable enough for the job. Whatever that may be, work on it and apply again and to different places. Based on what I've seen, people tend to get better jobs with better incomes than the ones they got rejected from. Look at rejection positively!
SilentSerenityy
February 23rd, 2017 10:19pm
You can volunteer for experience somewhere in the industry you'd most likely want to work in, as well as making your CV/resume look better by showing how willing you are to work, through volunteering.
beaniebird
March 15th, 2017 2:07am
If you're having a hard time getting a job, self-care is very important to avoid getting stressed out and hopeless. Between job searches, be sure to take breaks for leisurely activities like a walk, a bubble bath, or reading a nice book. Even watching your favourite TV show! Be sure to keep yourself around supportive people like family and friends as well!
windfox3
April 9th, 2017 11:14pm
If you are having trouble finding a job, it is a good idea to start volunteering in your local community. Many employers look for people who have skills AND who have good references. The more people you come into contact with who are willing to write you a letter of recommendation, the better your resume will look. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to spend your time productively, building new friendships and opening up doors of wonderful opportunity.
HeartyHeartfelt
April 12th, 2017 3:17pm
Start by knowing that you haven't exhausted all means yet. I attended this workshop and the BEST take-away I have ever ever gotten out of it was this: Reconnect with people you already know and tell them that you would like to work with them. Check out the connections you have. Even if it's a friend's friend's friend's friend---as long as you have a link to start with, it'll fall into place. I committed the mistake of trying to attract people to me instead of making use of what I already had. Get active in forums and provide tips. Do it consistently and people will notice. Make yourself available online. I find that I job opportunities come to me when I made many polished online profiles online on different job sites (upwork, linkedin, etc). Also helps if you have experience so start gaining experience. It doesn't matter if it's from a top company or not, it's the way you talk about your experiences and what comes out of those that matter. There are so many ways. I highly recommend networking on entrepreneur groups on facebook (BUT NOT JOB-HUNTING groups because what people end up doing is racing to the finish-line for jobs). Share your expertise. Look like an expert at what you do and don't focus on attracting everyone. Focus on your niche. What's your niche? Hope this helps. I'm available for chat if you'd want to know more information!
Anonymous
June 30th, 2017 5:27pm
Don't panic. Relax. There are many different websites that have been made to help you find a job. Contact family and friends to see if they know of any open spots for a job. While looking for a job try to help around the neighborhood you live in to get some extra money.
joyousNatural19
July 5th, 2017 4:27am
Keep up the search! It's a really tough job market out there but persistence is key. Look everywhere that's interesting to you and don't be afraid to ask people for suggestions or possible job connections.
Ron1966
July 6th, 2017 4:43pm
This can be a challenging time and may test a person's confidence. Taking time to do a personal inventory may be helpful. Sitting and talking with a Career Services Coach may help a person discover gifts and talents they may not be aware of and then focus on developing and improving those talents.
NaturalHealer
July 21st, 2017 11:16am
Give your best shot - look for options and make an effort. While you wait for the outcome and things to fall in place for you, indulge in activities that make you feel positive and energized. Stay positive and connected with yourself.
Kate
July 27th, 2017 4:33pm
Don't give up your job search! There are many things to do while you continue on your hunt for a job. You can volunteer, look for internships in your field, pick up a new hobby or take a class on professional development. Don't give up looking. Sometimes it can take a while for the right opportunity to come around. Good luck!
enchantingsnow321
August 6th, 2017 2:32pm
Never be disheartened! Sometimes it can take a while, but you'll be sure to get one eventually. Have a look and see if there's anything like volunteer work that you could do to add onto your resume, it definitely helps!
magenta101
August 9th, 2017 1:46pm
I think about what I can improve on in order to get the job I want this may be going back to education to gain new skills and qualifications I need or rethinking how I apply for a job. What ever happens I know I can't give up because I will regret it in the future.
caringfriend83
August 11th, 2017 2:38am
Just keep pushing it will come. I know that it can get discouraging. But you have to keep trying. I give my self a goal daily or weekly with how many applications or resumes I will send out. That way if I don't get an interview I can still feel positive about reaching my goals I set. And I won't get to down on myself because that will make it worse.
AnActiveListenerHere
August 18th, 2017 5:04pm
Getting job definitely can be difficult, because sometimes it is hard to find a great fit. In the mean time, it helps to try to advance yourself in the best way you can. This can happen in many different forms such as volunteering or taking further classes in the field you want. Best of luck! :)
softLove87
October 18th, 2017 10:27pm
Dont give up and keep looking. There are websites like Indeed.com or the newspapers that post job openings.
Anonymous
October 29th, 2017 9:52pm
First ask yourself why you cant get a job. Have you only tried applying at certain jobs? Have you tried practicing with interviewing? Employers want their employees to be flexible and wanting to work not just for the paycheck. Ask yourself if you have made good impressions. :)
gongoozlersoup19
November 8th, 2017 5:44pm
Find out why you can't get a job. Maybe you need more experience? Or need more education? Or job coaching? Try some problem-solving and stay active in other ways (e.g. volunteering, internship) if you are struggling with finding employment.
ComfortZ0ne
November 15th, 2017 1:58am
Seek for a career coach for resume writing tips. Attend workshops or short courses to improve one's skills for better competance. If it still doesn't help, consider to adjust personal expectations about the job, such as salary, travel distance, workload, work field and etc.
TogetherForeverAlways
November 15th, 2017 5:28pm
Let's begin by what you should NOT do: get depressed, lack faith in yourself and think you are not good enough. If you can't get a job consider all the alternatives you have (e.g, start your own business, change field of work or move abroad or to another city) and then go for one with all you have.
Will22
November 16th, 2017 6:13am
If you struggle to get a job, you're not alone. The key is persistence. Keep up the research, get professional help for resume/CV and cover letter writing, and have friends help with interviewing. One trick that works well is to record yourself interviewing and watch your mannerisms. Sometimes the details can be the difference between getting a job or not.
amiableUnicorns89
November 19th, 2017 11:50pm
Firstly, it may seem a bit uncomfortable or embarrassing being unemployed, and that feeling may put pressure on us. Personally, i always need some form of job to do to feel a sense of accomplishment, and this may be so for you. You have given out your resume but you are still unable to get a job. I think you should reflect on some issues, and see what more you can do. For example, what kind of job do i really want? will i enjoy doing it, or is it just for the sake of it? am i looking in the right places? are there any other areas where i'm experienced? There are lots of options to be considered, like self employment. You can always start something up, no matter how small. But in everything, hope for the best.
ReliantRobin88
November 29th, 2017 8:03pm
Keep motivated - it is hard to stick to routines when you don't have a job, which in turn makes it harder to apply for jobs! Try and give yourself structure; walking, yoga, keeping the house tidy. This structure can keep up your drive and get that job quicker!
Anonymous
December 29th, 2017 12:42am
Do not take this as the only thing you can do, but try to make your own job. What I mean is walk dogs, shovel/rake/mow yards, even sell candy or other general popular items. Do not become a nuisance however. If you can't get a large corp. job you can try for part time or local jobs.
foggeduppanes
January 19th, 2018 8:21am
Volunteer! Volunteering is one of the best ways to gain experience to make job-searching easier. Use your connections, such as asking a friend or family friend to recommend you. If you are in school, or college, or similar, join clubs, organisations and so on to build up that experience. Through school, you can usually intern or gain work experience which is super beneficial.
Anonymous
February 2nd, 2018 4:57pm
Keep on looking, there has to be something out there for you :) Do lots of research, and go out and look in person it really shows your dedication.