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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
romanticthi3f
February 2nd, 2018 10:59pm
Oh lots of things! - You could evaluate your career path - what sort of jobs are you looking for and what's your dream job? Maybe you could consider applying for a different job? - Knock on doors! Start networking. Use LinkedIn to connect with people you'd like to work with. Meet job agencies. - Consider further study! There are lots of free online courses that can be hugely valuable to employers. It gives you a little bit of edge that other applicants might not have. - Fix up your resume! How can you make it better reflect your roles? It needs to be your brand so work with people who are familiar with good resumes and ask tips! - Work experience or volunteering! Obviously you want a paid role but sometimes it's just about wiggling your way through the door to show that you've got what it takes!
Anonymous
February 7th, 2018 8:52pm
Focus on your skillset or hobbies and try to apply them to making money in your own ways. Keep perseveering and eventually hard work will pay off.
Anonymous
February 9th, 2018 3:39am
Keep looking until you find the one for you, or you could possoably work for people on the street like cleaning houses and stuff. Just be careful :)
carefreeHeart57
February 23rd, 2018 7:32pm
If you are looking for a specific type of job or a job at a specific level, it may help to take a job that is slightly below your qualifications. You will be an asset to the company, but more importantly, having a job helps you to get the next job. Being unemployed will put you under more scrutiny during your job search, but have a job, even if it is part-time, will make you look productive. As a bonus you will feel better about yourself!
Anonymous
February 28th, 2018 8:53pm
You can claim benefits from the age of 18 and you will have to go to a job centre and search for jobs but you'll still be getting money.
Anonymous
March 24th, 2018 1:48am
First of all figure out if you need any upgrade on your cv, get someone objective to look into it, try jobcentres, focus on having a positive attitude. Try from a new perspective when applying for jobs.
Anonymous
April 4th, 2018 8:53am
Take it a day at a time. Did you have someone look over your resume? Have you tried a practice interview with a close friend? Could those benefit you in your situation? Also this may be a great time to brush up on a skill and/or volunteer.
Apollosdaughter
April 6th, 2018 1:01pm
Turn your childhood passion or dream into business on YouTube. Look for theodd1sout and seek inspiration from him. Go for online freelancer jobs, and jobs where you have to do survey and get paid by reading emails, do something online, search quora, you'll get the answer.
Rasberry90210
May 19th, 2018 8:38pm
Searching for a job can be demanding, personally and time wise. If you find yourself in a situation where you can't get a job, see if you can get help in you're local community.
caringBerry61
May 22nd, 2018 5:31pm
Try to find your true self, the real being deep down inside of you, get to know him/her for real, that being is the true self, and once you found your true self ask him/her what he/she would really like to do in life, what is the most amazing thing he/she would like to do, which field the passion inside would express itself. Creating handmade items or working with pets? Creating cakes or repairing cars? Nothing is better than a job well done because comes from love and caring. For ourselves and for our fellow neighbours.
Brookeshereforyou
June 10th, 2018 11:41pm
Getting a job can be stressful and scary. Sometimes that may make us feel anxious. It’s important to remember that patience can lead to success. If you persevere and keep trying, eventually an opportunity will present itself to you. Stay positive and motivated and know that it won’t be like this forever
gentlePeace82
June 14th, 2018 12:22am
Start back with the basics. Ask someone you trust to look over your resume and cover letter. Having another eye on it can be helpful. Be sure that you are applying for jobs that you are qualified for. Getting a job does not always mean it is your dream job. Often times jobs can lead to other opportunities in the future.
Anonymous
June 20th, 2018 6:33pm
keep searching for one until you find one. dont feel sad if you dont find one immediately. one day you will fine one, all these things take time. they take time but theyre not impossible
Anonymous
June 29th, 2018 11:27am
you need to improve yourself to get a job because lack of knowledge , lack of anything in life makes u feel likes tucked make u feel like depressed makes u feel like anxious makes you feel like a loser so try ur best and try to improve urself try to invest ur time in something productive that can beneficial for you as well as society as well as for everyone around you so please try ur best
OneBeathAtATime
July 1st, 2018 6:37am
Continue searching and don't lose hope. There are many websites for organizations looking for workers. Indeed.com is an amazing tool for finding jobs in your area and also reach out to you daily for new job postings. Also check out resume building sites that help guide you in the right direction to making yourself more marketable to employers. Good luck!
Anonymous
July 4th, 2018 8:44am
First of all don't feel bad about it, you can't get it because you have to work hard to get that job, not because you don't deserve it, first start planning your work, improve your knowledge and then try to find suitable job offers again after that process.
DreamLion17
July 8th, 2018 10:22pm
Use this time positively. Try to think positive thoughts and do healthy, positive things to support your job search. If you've ever wanted to do any volunteering in a particular area, this may be your time. This may also support with your work experience.
CallumJ
July 29th, 2018 3:57pm
Don't be put off by not hearing back! Jobs are hard to get, especially in this day and age and with economies constantly changing - it's a real struggle. Jobs will come and go and you'll always have the opertunity to apply for more jobs and even improve your CV all the time. If you can't get a specific job, try and find another job and keep going until you eventually get there! Don't worry about not finding a job straight away, it takes time!
Harry53
August 1st, 2018 5:34am
If you haven't been able to find a job it's important to avoid negative and self-defeating thinking. For example, because you haven't been able to find a job that doesn't mean you can't find a job, it means you haven't found a job yet. If you have skills which are in demand in the town or city where you live, and you keep applying for jobs for which you are qualified, you will eventually find one!
Anonymous
August 1st, 2018 9:20pm
If you can't get a job, you should keep trying. It really helps to find something that you like and something that motivates you, and stick to it. Everything happens for a reason, so you not being able to get a job happened for a reason. Maybe life is trying to show you that there is something better that it has planned for you!
Freedomtochoose
August 8th, 2018 12:36pm
Never give up, go in person, volunteer your services. Another is seek out an employment agency, most hire from temp to perm.
TheBuddy
August 18th, 2018 3:46pm
A job search is no easy task. It can be stressful and daunting. Sometimes you need to take a break from looking just to restart and refresh your mind/life. A fresh perspective will enable you to see clearly and go after exactly what you want. You also can hire services online to review your resume and make sure it's getting you where you want to be. Above all, be patient. The right job will come at the right time. In the meantime practice relaxation techniques and find ways to relax and enjoy life. Everything is meant to be and will come to you in time.
avanef
December 1st, 2018 1:32am
I know how you feel. When I was going from one job to another I applied to many places and I was very nervous about whether I'd get the job or not. I know that you feel all emotions about this job and you're hoping to get it, but I'm sure you will get it. If not, it's going to be okay because we all have those moments when you don't get it. But it's good on you that you're putting out applications and wanting to put yourself higher up within your career or what have you. Don't worry too much, you'll have good days and bad days and you'll have your successes and your losses.
toastyCabbage
December 28th, 2018 9:49am
Take good care of yourself before you go out applying for a job. Build up your confidence and feel good about what you're applying for. If it's hard to get a job in the field that you're in - find motivation to grab a higher education and dominate the world of work that you're applying for! No one can tell you that you're never going to get a job, because getting a job is always going to be hard. But it takes motivation, persistence and a lot of merit to go in there for an interview and feel confident. There are guides online to ace an interview, but from personal experience, I'd say that being yourself and showing what you're really good at works the best.
Anonymous
January 12th, 2019 7:45am
Finding a job sometimes take a bit of luck and u may feel like it is entirely your fault and feel like a big failure. However, there are many other opportunities put there and maybe its a good thing you havent found a job yet cos there are other jobs more suited for you! No matter how long it takes, do not give up! just keep improving on yourself in many different aspect like health be it physically or mentally, while waiting for a job to accept u. IVe not gone throught this yet as im still a student but ive been through this worried phase where im not getting something i want! i hope it helps!
AngelSnake
February 23rd, 2019 8:55pm
Know you aren't alone for a start. Don't have your sights set on something unobtainable. Life will march on, sad though that is, and it really is better to do something, anything if it means you worked, showed up, made some friends...because in years to come you will need the emotional support as well as just money or accolades. Obviously we all dream of doing something more than just waiting tables but there's no shame in it. Focus on your relationships more than how you look, it will pay in the long run rather than the short run. If you are young use your opportunities as much as you can. Free passes and grants run out and leave you in the cold. Don't assume 30 is really that far away!! Time speeds up and you slow down. If there's an apprenticeship or scheme like that go for it. It's low pay for a year or two but then you are free to progress and honestly looking back 2 or 3 years working in a shop and progressing through management positions would have been far FAR superior to mucking around at University. It's a complete waste of time where I live now in the UK anyway, and you will have a car, home, be a grown up while others are still walking round scratching their head about why nothing is working out and they are snowed under with debt.
Anonymous
May 26th, 2019 10:12am
Don't give up I would find one if not today tommorrow if not tommorrow the day after that. But not giving up is important and always be optimistic. If you think negatively about it you would probably not find one. So keep your head up straight live your life and do not stress about it the job will be found sooner or later and post your CV online that may help too. Go job hunting! Be open minded you could always work as a waiter or a hairdresser.. Ever thought of babysitting? That could do it.. If you are willing why not?
SilverisSarah
June 13th, 2019 5:25pm
There are a lot of options when you can't get a job. First of all, you can try to check if there is something you can improve on your resume and application letter - those are quite important. Then, try to make some networking - there are free events where you can even network with companies and some HR people, too. Upload your resume on Linkedin, and other social networks alike. Take some courses (there may be some free or even courses they pay you to attend to - in my country, we have a lot of those; some online courses can add up stuff to your resume, too). Focus on what you want to become, and do, so you can achieve it. Make a plan of what you need to go to that career and position. If you have to take a course, try to do it. In case you need experience, try to volunteer or be an intern.
positivethoughts22
July 3rd, 2019 8:52pm
Can't get a job? or can't find a job you want? It's important to distinguish between the two. Are you comfortable with working something temporary until you find a job you love and want to stay in the long term? On the other hand, if you've applied for at least five jobs with no callbacks, it's always recommended to follow-up with the employer or interview staff to see why it is you were not selected for the position. It could be something as simple as you need more experience, a professional course upgrade or that they were limited to the number of people whom they could hire.
Chlorophyll123
September 27th, 2019 6:35pm
Theres online courses that you can take to qualify yourself better and up your skills or sharpen already existing skillset. LinkedIn is great for networking. Going for talks, seminars and workshops also helps meet new people and you never know where your next job opportunity may come from. Keep your ear to the ground, you'll find something.