7 Lessons From a Successful Job Search

Reader Comments
Back to blog

I'm not "unemployed" per se! But I recently graduated, degree in hand, dove head first into searching for a job. It's been 4 months and i've only had two interviews. I spend hours a day searching the internet, producing "online applications", and emailing resumes. Nothing, nothing, it is horribly frustrating to be underemployed. Underemployed is worse than unemployed. At least when you are unemployed you just don't 'have it'. Being underemployed is working your tail off on a job that doesn't pay you what it should, you are barely making ends meet, you are straddling the poverty line but haven't "quite made it". you work 40 hours so don't think about a second job because you are a single parent and your kids actually have a life too. I've never felt so poor and desolate in my life!! No we have not experienced the worst of it yet. What does stay the same is that the Rich are getting richer despite the taxes they are teaxed with. Yet the poor stay poor. They are worse than poor. They re Poorer than poor, They were poor last year, this year they are poorer and next year they will be poorest.

Lesa Rollison of TX 3:28PM July 23, 2009

I left a job I HATED and moved to a new state, well if I would have known I was going to be out of work for months I would have stayed at my truly abusive job and a city that was equally as unbearable to live in.
I can't obtain unemployment now because I am an idiot and quit my job. It has never taken more than 2 weeks for me to find a job when I really apply myself. I am so sick of worrying about money. It is almost unbearable sometimes. I have $400 left to my name. STUPID STUPID. Should have stayed at my job where I kid you not, could not wear shoes in the office, could not keep food there, was yelled and cussed at. Gee which should I choose. I took a chance and I am STUPID. Maybe I should just call it all quits.

Lobster of MI 2:53PM July 23, 2009

Barbara Sher has a website with a forum. Google Wishcraft or Barbara Sher for ideas and support.

Charlotte Fairchild of GA 2:32PM July 23, 2009

I don't know how anybody can stay focused when they have filled out hundreds of applications and get a handful of interviews. networking on linkedin, facebook, career services, staying in touch with professors and classmates.
We all hope that this nightmare will be over soon, as much as I would like to believe that the jobs are slowly coming back, I'd have to say thats a load of crap...I don't think we have yet experienced the worst of it yet.

John Doe of NY 2:23PM July 23, 2009

I have to agree with John from CA. I'm not sure the young Ms. Wolgemuth is the appropriate person to hand out advice to the millions of seasoned and skilled people out there trying to beat this nightmare. Though some of her points are valid, they lack much insight and may be best reserved for those very young.
At this point employers receive hundreds if not thousands of applications per job and the only way to make real headway is through networking. I know its not easy for everyone (me also) and sometimes embarassing in our money based culture, but try anyone. Hey you never know. Also, when feeling defeated, volunteering can at least give one a since of accomplishment and connection with the outside world.
The sad truth is that we Americans judge our self worth on our financial status and with REAL unemployment at the highest since the Great Depression, we are in a sad and depressed state. Our health and the economic well being of this country will become much worse this fall and winter unless President Obama and the theives from both parties in congress and the senate do not get out of the pockets of the banks and start creating jobs for the people who pay their salaries.
Maybe they should take an unpaid leave instead of a extended paid vacation this summer.

Tony of NY 12:38PM July 23, 2009

I realized this week, that we are all in this together. That it is not just me who is unable to find work. My skills are impressive, I have several trades under my belt including the medical profession. I'm told that my resume is impressive and that I interview well. My references are awsome. I check in on prospects on a daily basis. So what's the problem???? Last night I was on Craig's list until after midnight. It dawned on me that I may have to switch careers again. This time possibly driving a bus for God'ssake.

Joanne of CA 12:20PM July 23, 2009

See, I am a college student and have been working and going to school both full time. However, May 2008, I was released from my position as well. I had to go back to my parents home because it was hard paying rent and utilities going from 50K a year to 900 a month (unemployment). What I did and noticed some of my friends doing is taking time to recapture who you are because sometimes we allow ourselves to get caught up and overwhelmed by all that is going on that we forget who we are and what we enjoy in the processes. We become stuck and focused on the fact that there is a problem and we want to solve it. Yes, that would be great, but realistically, do you really think our voices would be heard?
I was an Assistant Computer Programmer Analyst, then Oct 08 Application Controls Engineer, then they only wanted me for three weeks, because we were traveling much and I could not keep up with my schooling and it pushed my grad date back about 6 months. This last April I applied for a Direct Marketing Position, hoping things would begin to look up and get better, mmmm, nope. So here I am making jewelry and selling it, because this is another skill that I have that is actually working for me. There are other skills that can be utilized, however what one needs to do is look at the market and think, what skill set do I have, in which I can help someone. Granted I am not making 50k a year, but at least I am doing something that I enjoy. Yes, I am with my parents still and I remember when I was 11 years old or so hearing my parents and grandparents have conversations about the economy and how there was a possibility of our current economic situation and many people moving back home with their parents.
There has to be something we can do to get our economy going again. Anyone care to share any ideas?

Richell of MI 12:13PM July 23, 2009

I found this acticle interesting. I am unemployed and have made getting a job a job. Nothing so far and like many others who live in "Michigan" all but have given up. I'm back in school to keep my mind going and my sprits up. To the person who wrote they will give up there unemployment benifits. I have done what they have done. They have to get a "Waiver" from the UIA and they can go to college and not loose their benifits. I know because I have done it. They will make it very hard to get the waiver. You have to be more dedicated and stubborn than the ones at UIA to get it. You also will need to do it for each semester all over again. The monies for college on the NWLB takes about 9 to eleven months to get as long as you jump the hoops. In the mean time, your correct. It does not appear the system is set up to get you back to work. Free items are only for those who were not born in the USA. Check it out and proof is in the pudding. Best of luck to all, thats really what it appears to be now if you get a job.

James Wade of MI 12:03PM July 23, 2009

The fact that I am seeing so many others in this situation, in a crazy way, actually makes me feel a little better.I have been looking for work in a field that I have been in since I was 17. Was fired from a company I had been with for 8 years, they spent months looking for any reason to "fire" people in order to avoid paying their unemployment benefits. Hopefully they will be out of business soon.(really I am hoping the worse for them) My faith in God is strong, but really beginning to think even he's got too much on his plate..I have five children and I'm divorced, my mother is horrible to me and says I should have never had so many kids, well my ex-husband was making about 300k a year, but guess what he's broke too, and unemployed now as well. I transfered from thriving Atlanta to a small town in Alabama for my company, now I can't even get a job at a local fast food restaurant, they may as well have a sign up that says, only apply if you've lived here your whole life. So I am now on food stamps(never imagined that)but managed to find an EMT course, luckily I had a local fire department pay for. I have had to move into sect.8 housing from a beautiful home, lost my car, credit ruined beyond repair. And so I say I would love to just not wake up anymore some days,but I have to keep going for my children's sake. I am hopeful that this new career will help, I'll be making about 20k less a year and have to work 24 hour shifts,not really my idea of a great career change at 40, but well life's a .....you know. I am hoping for all of this mess to be over soon, and praying that all of you will have jobs. LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!!! Count on that and learn to adapt to change. Hey at least minimum wage is going up right? So that's gotta make a difference....hmmmmm GOOD LUCK EVERYONE....

Jessica of AL 12:02PM July 23, 2009

Downsizing to a career change is easier said then done. Employers do not want hire someone for 8.00 hr when you used to make 19.00.It is easier to "sell yourself" in person if
employers would at least accept applications at the location instead of via internet. No matter how I try to down play my past experience, it is what it is, do you have any advice for getting around this?

Denise of FL 11:58AM July 23, 2009