You’ve probably been hearing a lot about The Big Quit, but what if you’ve been out of work for a long time and really need a job? Where are all those opportunities?
The first thing to know is that this Great Resignation isn’t hitting all industries equally. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the areas with the largest employee shortages are hospitality, retail, healthcare, and manufacturing—and, to a slightly smaller degree, education. In other words, high-stress, low-income work.
If you’re applying for those jobs and still not having any luck, you probably need to retool your application materials, since what may have worked in the past doesn’t seem to be working now.
But what if you’re looking outside those sectors and still not having any luck? It can be demoralizing to feel like your search isn’t getting you anywhere. So, with that in mind, here are some tips if you feel you can’t get off the hamster wheel of apply, interview, get rejected, apply.
First of all, if you aren’t already doing so, start by tailoring your resume to each position you want. I know that this seems like a lot of extra work, but what it really means is that you’ll probably have to be more selective and only apply for things you truly want. To do this, read each job description you come across carefully. Does it sound like work you want to do? Does it sound like work you can do? Are there significant barriers in the job description, and how can you work around those?
Second, prepare your story. You need a solid narrative so you can answer questions about why you’re looking now, although you don’t need to be dishonest. A lot of folks left prior jobs because they realized their values no longer aligned, and more left because they had no choice—layoffs or companies closing and the like. Be as positive as you can be, and don’t be afraid to call out specific things that have attracted you to this new position, like the ability to work from home or flexible hours.
Third, talk to your network. These are the folks you know or are connected with in some way—friends, former coworkers, family, etc. These are people who can help you find leads, recommend you for roles, and connect you with their connections.
Next, research what employers in your field are looking for now. Can you highlight particular skills they want? Do you have experience that sets you apart? As much as possible, demonstrate these strengths on your resume by providing specific examples: “Increased revenue by 16% by expanding to Instagram marketing,” or “Held small after-hours tutorials, resulting in students’ self-reported greater comfort in using their Spanish language skills.”
Also, remind yourself that failure is a key part of success. Finding a job you enjoy is complicated and has lots of components, and worthwhile endeavors are always more involved than we anticipate. A typical rate of interviews to applications is around 20%, so be ready to hear a lot of nothing when you apply. (And if you’re not hitting that 20% mark, it’s worth retooling your resume!)
Finally, check in and see if you’re doing anything self-sabotaging in your applications: selling yourself short, assuming you don’t have what employers want, downplaying your accomplishments, et cetera. These things are tricks your brain plays in order to protect you from potential harm. But operating that way will also keep you from the kind of success you ultimately want. Risk often leads to reward, so if you aren’t taking any risks, re-think your process, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help.