How to Overcome Extended Unemployment as a Job Seeker

If you've sent out 200+ applications in the past six months and all you've heard is silence, it's not bad luck ~ it’s a sign you need to change your approach! I’ve had clients come to me after blasting out hundreds of resumes with zero results, and my advice is always the same: stop relying on job boards alone and start diversifying your strategy!! Here’s what I’ve seen work and what I'm recommending: 1. Build real connections (this is the game-changer). Most jobs are filled through referrals or internal hires. If you’re not networking, you’re competing against hundreds (or thousands) of applicants. Instead: - Reach out to hiring managers directly. - Talk to employees at companies you admire. - Join industry Slack groups, Discords, and networking events. Many Slack communities have exclusive job postings and hiring managers actively looking for talent. 2. Make LinkedIn work for you. I’ve seen candidates land jobs just by being active. If you’re only applying but never posting, commenting, or optimizing your profile, you’re invisible. Show up and engage ~ hiring managers are watching! 3. Pitch yourself. One of my clients landed a role by cold-emailing a hiring manager with actionable ideas to improve their marketing. (Note that you must do this strategically or it will backfire and you might come off as a know-it-all!) Sometimes, the best jobs aren’t even listed until the right person makes a case for them. 4. Look beyond LinkedIn & job boards. So many great opportunities exist outside the usual platforms. Depending on your industry, check out: AngelList – startups Wellfound – tech We Work Remotely – fully remote jobs Behance / Dribbble / CreativeMornings – creative roles 5. Get expert guidance. If your job search feels like a black hole, you don’t have to figure it out alone. A career coach (like me!) can help you fine-tune your strategy, craft outreach messages, and unlock hidden job opportunities so you're not stuck in the endless cycle of online applications. Bottom line? If what you're doing isn’t working, let’s build a strategy that does!

Here’s what I learned during my 171 days of unemployment: 🥚 Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Even when you get an interview and feel good about getting the job, keep applying. Rejections are easier to take if you have multiple irons in the fire. 🫷 Learn from your rejections. For example, SaaS companies kept rejecting me without an interview. They always wanted SaaS experience and I learned that, to recruiters, working with SaaS companies at a marketing agency wasn't the same thing. So I stopped applying to SaaS companies. 💸 Apply to jobs that meet your family’s budgetary needs and where you will feel valued for your work. Getting super specific about the exact role you want and getting pie in the sky about your income can be the recipe for missing out on a great fit that you wouldn’t have otherwise applied for. I listened to a well-meaning recruiter about getting super specific early on in my job search and that only hurt me. Only when I opened up my criteria did I start getting interviews. (Note that this advice is for this crazy job market. Getting specific is generally good advice most of the time.) 🏢 Apply to local/hybrid jobs because they have less competition compared to fully remote jobs. 🤝 Reach out to your network, including family and friends. I was told about the job I got by a friend. I never would have learned about the position if I hadn’t told her I was looking for a job and what I was looking for. 😊 If your former boss mentioned that they would be happy to help you in the future, take them up on that offer sooner than later. Ask for a reference or data you no longer have access to. Be very specific in your request so they can help you in minimal time. 📝 Customize every resume and cover letter using Teal. Buy premium if you can. It’ll save you so much time. (Trust me. I am a cheapskate, but it was worth it to me.) 🎭 Pay attention to how you feel during an interview. If you feel lost or an interviewer seems bored, then it probably isn’t a good fit. Body language can tell you a lot about how an interview is going for the interviewer(s). I know reading this kind of post when you're slogging through the job search is rough. I hope some of my experiences can give you hope and new insight in this crazy job market. Good luck out there. #jobsearchtips

Lost Your Job? Think of It as a New Beginning.?? Seeing posts about layoffs from big companies like Amazon can feel scary. For many people, it’s not just news—it’s a big shock and a hard time. If you or someone you know has lost a job, remember this: ➔➔It’s okay to feel sad or afraid. ➔➔This is not your failure. It’s just a pause, a chance to start again. And maybe this is the right time to learn new things and move toward the future of work, especially with AI and technology growing fast. Here are 20 simple steps, divided into three stages, to help you recover and move ahead with confidence: ≫ I. Process & Heal (First Week) 1. Take 1–2 days to relax and calm down. Don’t rush. 2. Make a simple daily plan—include time for job search, learning, and some exercise. 3. Talk to friends or share your story online. Being honest helps you connect with others. 4. Rest properly. A fresh mind gives better ideas and confidence. ≫ II. Prepare & Rebuild (Next Few Weeks) 5. Update your LinkedIn and resume. Add numbers to show your achievements. 6. Decide what kind of job you really want next. 7. Talk to mentors or old colleagues. Networking is better than just sending random job applications. 8. Use November and December to get ready. Companies start hiring more in January (Q1). 9. Add the right keywords on LinkedIn so recruiters can find you easily. 10. Focus on companies that are still hiring or growing even now. ≫ III. Upskill & Pivot (Build Your Future) 11. Learn new skills—especially in AI, automation, and data. These are in high demand. 12. Share your learning journey on LinkedIn or social media. Show you are growing. 13. Read, comment, and post online about your field. It helps people notice your expertise. 14. Look for new roles or industries where your skills can still fit. 15. Improve soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. 16. Try freelance or part-time projects to stay active and earn while you search. 17. Keep learning every week—stay curious! 18. Check your progress every week. Even small wins count. 19. Don’t lose hope—every step is taking you forward. 20. Remember: This is not just about getting another job—it’s about creating your next chapter. A layoff can be a blessing in disguise. Let’s use this moment to grow, learn, and build something even better. #Amazon #Layoffs #bounceback

Joblessness slowly eats away at your mental health. It’s the: - Endless refreshing of your inbox, hoping for an interview invite. - “We’ve decided to move forward with other candidates.” emails that crush your confidence. - Friends and family asking, “So… any updates?” when you already feel behind. - Seeing old classmates post their job wins on LinkedIn while you can barely land an interview. - Smiling and saying “I’m figuring things out” when inside you feel stuck and anxious. I’ve seen brilliant professionals spiral into: - Anxiety from the uncertainty of not knowing when it’ll end. - Isolation from pulling away socially because you feel embarrassed. - Shame when comparing yourself to peers who seem to be “ahead.” - Burnout from turning the job search into a 16-hour grind, with nothing to show. The longer it lasts, the more you start questioning your worth. “Maybe I’m not good enough.” “Maybe my skills don’t matter anymore.” “Maybe this isn’t for me.” The truth is, being unemployed doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It’s a season, not your identity. Here are 4 ways to manoeuvre through it: 1. Set boundaries → Treat your job search like a 9–5. Apply, network, prep… then close the laptop. Don’t let rejection chase you into every corner of your life. 2. Stay connected → Surround yourself with peers, mentors, or a community that understands.     Silence is where shame grows. 3. Measure progress, not just offers → Track applications, interviews, and conversations.     Celebrate micro-wins. Small forward steps are proof you’re moving. 4. Care for your body → A 20-minute walk, workout, or even stretching resets your mind. Your energy fuels your resilience. Remember this: your peers' posting wins online don’t make you a failure. They’re just at a different stage. Your breakthrough is still possible, but only if you protect your mind as much as your resume.

If your job search has dragged on for months and the silence or rejections are wearing you down, please know you’re not alone. Many job seekers hit this wall. When that happens, it might be time to activate what I call “Plan B.” Plan B doesn’t mean giving up on your goals. It’s a strategic pause. It's a way to regain momentum, confidence, and structure while still keeping your long-term career in sight. Taking a temporary or alternative job can help you: 🔔 Break the cycle of rejection or waiting 🔔 Rebuild your daily rhythm and sense of purpose 🔔 Earn income and reconnect with your professional value Sometimes, just doing something changes everything. How to Create Your Plan B Set aside 20 quiet minutes and let yourself dream a little. Write down everything you enjoy doing. Don’t filter yourself, even if it feels unrealistic or unrelated to your career path. This is where creativity begins. If you get stuck (and most people do), try these prompts: ❓What activities made you happiest as a kid? ❓Which past job did you love and what made it great? ❓What type of work or environment energizes you now? Then, share your list with a supportive friend, someone who listens without judgment. Ask them to help you: 💡Spot potential jobs or industries that connect with your interests 💡Think of adjacent or creative opportunities 💡Brainstorm people you could reach out to 💡Identify anyone they know who owns or manages a business How to Find and Land a Plan B Job Plan B jobs often come through conversations, not applications. Skip the online portals and start with people. Walk in, pick up the phone, and be honest about your situation. Here’s a simple, genuine approach: “I love your restaurant and the friendly energy here. I have some extra time right now and would love to help out. Do you need someone to fill a shift or lend a hand?” Be sincere. Be specific. And don’t get discouraged if they say no. Timing is everything. Keep showing up, keep asking, and keep connecting. Plan B Job Ideas Seasonal & Local Opportunities  The holiday season brings a surge in short-term jobs. Consider opportunities like: - Retail stores - Delivery services - Event venues - Restaurants and cafés - Hotels and resorts - Nonprofits and community organizations - Winter recreation Year-Round Opportunities: - Customer service or call centers - Hotel or hospitality roles - Office or facilities services These jobs may not be your long-term dream, but they can get you engaged and active again. And that momentum? It’s powerful. One Last Thought If you’re skeptical, that’s okay. Plan B isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about rebuilding your confidence and creating space for new opportunities to find you. Sometimes, the path to your next great job starts somewhere unexpected.

Unemployed doesn’t mean UNvaluable. It means UNleveraged.   Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen an overwhelming number of posts from people searching for new roles because of yet another wave of layoffs...many of them abrupt and, frankly, heartless. Some are on the edge of losing their homes. Some are supporting families with no financial cushion. The level of stress and fear people are carrying right now is devastating.   For those of you in that position – I empathize with you and feel your pain. The impact of those emotions undoubtedly has a profound effect on your mental health.   So, I offer you a few ways to protect your mental health and perhaps get you out of your emotional slump.   Here are 3 less common (but powerful) ways to protect your mental health and rebuild momentum when you’re job searching:   👊🏼 Treat yourself like a client. Write a 30-60-90 day plan. Run a SWOT analysis on yourself. Build a personal dashboard. Reclaim control by thinking like a strategist, not a struggler. Remember who you are!   👊🏼 Teach something you know. Post on LinkedIn. Host a mini session. Share a toolkit. Teaching reminds you: “I still have value.” Because you do...and from my own personal experience, it reminds me of how valuable my experience and skills are!   👊🏼 Build your ‘Post-Hire’ stack. Create onboarding tools, templates, or playbooks you’ll use after you land the role. You’re not just job-seeking—you’re preparing to lead again. You may join a new industry or company - start learning for the job you want - now!   This is more than self-care. It’s career architecture…and it’s how high performers bounce back stronger.   What strategy helped you stay grounded between jobs?     Create a #jobsearchstrategy that leads to #careergrowth. And remember that you are #unemployedNOTunskilled and you are taking time away from your #jobsearch while you are #opentowork to build your #personalbrand and prepare for the #futureofwork! Also, you are protecting your #mentalhealth while you cultivate your #growthmindset.

I wrote a post recently about ensuring you take time for yourself when looking for a new job, which resonated with a lot of people [link in the comments]. Job-hunting while unemployed can feel pretty lonely and uncomfortable, and for some of us it's a lot of pressure, especially if you have financial commitments (who doesn't). Having been in this situation, several times, of various scenarios, I thought I'd share some of my personal experiences for those currently sporting #opentowork. 1. After far too many months between roles, I grabbed the first decent offer that came along. It was a two-hour commute (each way) that emptied my tank. Unsurprisingly, I lasted just 12 months, not just because of the long commute, the role wasn't right - but I needed to pay the bills. 2. Lesson learned? Not quite. Unfortunately, following another redundancy, I found myself looking for a new role but this time, I didn't want to wait months, so I took a role based in London, which meant living away from home Mon-Fri, while my children were still young. Every Sunday evening was heartbreaking and I spent the first 20 mins of my 4 hour drive with tears in my eyes. Again, I lasted exactly a year. So what did I learn? + Bills matter - but so does fit. Your mental health, well-being and family aren't worth sacrificing. + The right boss beats a flashy job title - look for leaders who see you, not just your CV. The interview process is two-way, ask the right questions. + Culture is the invisible commute - a toxic work environment follows you home, and infects your personal relationships, family life and often your sleep. + Interviews - ask probing questions, and remember it's not just about the answer, it's also about how it was answered. + Short-term discomfort is better than long-term unhappiness - a few extra weeks is better than the sick-in-the-stomach Sunday night feeling when you're in the wrong role. For those looking for a new role right now, remember; + Your skills haven’t expired. Yes the market is tough but it's not a verdict on your value. + Unemployment is a temporary status, not an absolute identity, and it doesn't define you. You still bring purpose, competence and creativity. + Saying “no” to a job offer can be hard, and a little scary but it is also a “yes” to personal health, to family, to showing up as the professional you really are. Take the time to find the right role, the absolute right role for you and your family. Vet the role, the boss, the leadership, the company values, and the environment. Ask for that second or even third interview, negotiate that flexibility clause, request to meet the wider team. The right organisation will respect, and even admire your diligence. Don't compromise. I'd be happy to talk to anyone who's struggling with this at present, just connect and message me.

I got laid off in 2020. I was torn. Embarrassed. Ashamed. Angry. Depressed. Why did they keep everyone else—but not me? For months, I blamed myself. I had poured my heart and soul into that company, worked late nights, sacrificed weekends—only to be let go in an instant. It felt personal. It felt unfair. It took me two years to find peace. But if I could go back in time, this is the plan I would follow: 1. Take time to process your emotions. Being laid off is painful. It shakes your confidence, your identity, sense of stability. Feel everything you need to feel. Do whatever helps you release the weight of disappointment. When you’re ready, remind yourself: this is not a reflection of your worth. It’s just a chapter, not the whole story. 2. Apply for unemployment benefits. Do it fast. Don't wait. This is not a handout—it’s a resource you’ve earned. Financial support = breathing room while you figure out your next move. 3. Take time for yourself. This is a rare moment to pause and reset. Read. Walk. Travel. Spend time with family. Do the things you alway want to do. Reflect—what do you really want next? Maybe it’s the same career path. Maybe it’s a pivot. Only you know. 4. Update your resume and start networking. Your resume should always be up to date, but if it’s not—now is the time. Ask for feedback, improve it, and make sure it reflects your best work. And start reaching out. You don’t have to job search alone. 5. Let people help you. Your network can’t support you if they don’t know you’re looking. Tell your friends, past colleagues, mentors - anyone who might be able to connect you to an opportunity. The more people who know, the higher your chances of landing something sooner and better. And above all: Do not be ashamed. Layoffs are not a failure. They are a redirection. If you're going through this right now, I see you. You are capable. You are resilient. You are not alone. What advice would you add? ⬇️

If I were on the full-time job search right now, here are a few things I would do to increase my interview opportunities and a full-time offer (or two 🙂↔️) ⬇️ ➡️ Diversify my search strategy You significantly decrease your productivity and odds of landing interviews if you stick to one method on your search when there are TONS of different pathways to jobs. I would use a combination of cold applying, seeking referrals where possible (but not relying on them!), reaching out to my network and asking for position recommendations, going to events, attending career fairs, and tapping into professional associations ➡️ Join communities and creator groups focused on jobs/career development A new and promising way that we'll be accessing opportunities (especially #EarlyCareer ones) is via creator channels and communities. You may have seen creators advertise their Fide channels or Discord servers for opportunity circulation and community building - check one out to see if it's for you and your search! ➡️ Be ready to be vulnerable and face rejection You will likely need to ask for help. You may find yourself reaching out to more mentors, professors, contacts, LinkedIn connections, hiring managers, alums, etc. Be prepared to put yourself out there, and be ready to be ghosted or rejected. Remember that you are NOT alone, and you are worth more than a missed connection or unanswered message. ➡️ Stay ready and monitor your inboxes Hiring, once it gets going, can move quickly. Check your emails, set reminders and alerts, and be ready to respond. Have your calendar up-to-date for scheduling ease. No need to obsess over your emails or messages, but you don't want to miss anything that's in Spam or Junk by mistake. ➡️ Remember that it takes time In February 2025, the average duration of unemployment before finding and securing a new job was 21.3 weeks, or around 5 months (Bureau of Labor Statistics). This isn't meant to scare you, it's meant to ground and remind you that the search takes considerable time. On a bright-ish note, the long-term unemployed population accounted for 20.9 percent of all unemployed people (Bureau of Labor Statistics). While the search can take a while, people ARE landing jobs. What else would you do to ensure an effective search? Share your ideas in the comments below ⬇️

I spoke to 8 job seekers last week. And here's what I've learned so far 💡Lower starting salaries Imagine you've just been laid off. You have to look for a new job. But no opportunity out there is offering what you were making before. One job seeker reported seeing offers lowered by $30k-$40k. 💡Misalignment on hiring teams Now imagine that you've gone through 8 rounds of interviews, an online assessment, and a take home project. But you get rejected because you don't have enough experience in one area. Hiring teams should know what they're looking for before the phone screen. 💡Take home tasks = free work It's no secret that employers ask job seekers to do more than they did before. But nothing makes job seekers more weary than doing take home tasks. One job seeker said he's done several projects seemed like actual work. 💡Ghosting and interviews Today, job seekers expect to hear nothing after an application. But getting ghosted after several rounds of interviews leaves job seekers feeling like they're worthless. One job seeker reported waiting for an interviewer that never showed up. // Here are a couple of recommendations for job seekers. ✍️ On starting salaries Ask what the pay is at the start of the process. Immediately after "hello" on a phone screen. Make your expectation clear. ✍️ On misalignment Ask every interviewer what a successful person in this role looks like. Understand what they want and speak to it. ✍️ On take home tasks Find out if those tasks are part of ongoing work. Get assurance in writing that your work will not be used in anyway. ✍️ On ghosting and interviews Follow up at least once a week to stay top of mind. Also, confirm you're meeting with your interviewer before your interview. -- 👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan. I help people in tech ace their job interviews. #techjobs #jobseekers #jobseekerresearch #workinprogress