3 of 13

Write now Article Tools

Job hunting is one of the most stressful things any adult must do. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. And unfortunately, either my husband or I have been job hunting for much of the past two years. Just when you think you have a good, stable job, WHAM! You're let go. So, you strap on your gym shoes and head out in the rat race once again.

Good jobs are hard to come by. A recent report on the economy warned people that if you have a job, keep it. Don't try to move around right now. With a recession looming around the corner (many think it's here already!), jobs are not necessarily at our disposal.

It seems that there many people stuck in the same rut that I am: the college educated who can't find good jobs. We were all told when we were in high school that we would make more money with a college degree. So, we all pack up our most prized possessions, bid farewell to family and friends, and head off to the university to gain knowledge and understanding of the world, while learning skills necessary to find that perfect job contributing to society. We readily sign up for a degree in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

But once we graduate, the cold reality sets in. My degree may only be worth as much as the paper it was printed on. And God forbid that you studied something other than computers/technology, business/marketing, law or medicine. The market is now over-saturated with degree holders. And now you're forced to take a job that pays a certain amount to cover the debt you went into to get a decent job. That's why you find there are a growing number of people with degrees who are working in fields not related to their degree. To avoid starving to death, you force yourself to take any job, but now you're faced with a new reason for not hiring you: you're over-qualified for the job. Where was that perfect job promised to you as you were walking onto campus your freshman year?

It's easy to become jaded about job hunting. But here are a few things I've learned about keeping your spirits up.

1) Keep looking at the postings everyday. You never know when a new one will come through. That way you can be one of the first to apply.

2) Look in several places. Make sure you check out CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com, and Craigslist.com. But also don't forget to pick up local employment guides, as well as check out the ads in alternative local newspapers.

3) Expand your limits. Are you willing to step out of your boundaries when it comes to what kind of jobs you are willing to take? Are you willing to relocate? What about teaching overseas? What about working from home or starting your own business? You may need to reset your limits in order to get a decent job.

4) Ask around. Talk to your friends and family. They may know of openings at their jobs. Be proactive.

Make sure your resume is up-to-date and that you have some extra copies of it available. Even if you get called in for an interview and get passed over, just move down the list. Someone is sure to call. Persistence pays off.

Learn more about this author, Joyce D. Sinclair.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to beat the job-hunting blues?
We want to hear your view. Write now!