I lost my job a few months ago, and after a couple initial interviews and interest (coming close twice) I haven’t had any luck since, and I’m getting desperate. Is it possible to get a job when you’re unemployed? Should I get ANYTHING just to say I’m working?

Job search can be an extremely stressful time for many of us, with all the corresponding feelings of rejection from our previous organization, rejection from new organizations for job openings, financial considerations, not to mention the emotional impact of possible feelings of low self esteem, drop in confidence, among many others. In short, it can be a true test of character. You should actually try to treat it that way, and resolve to triumph over this current adversity, just as you have done in other stressful situations in your life.

Attitude is everything

It can be easy, particularly when in isolation at home, to start to look for reasons why you still haven’t found that next job. Job search, even when done at it’s most effective, can take time. Searches of three, four, six or even twelve months are not unheard of, particularly at the more senior levels. It is important to always try to have a positive attitude, be your own cheerleader, and avoid the natural tendency to wallow in self-pity. Many of us will allow ourselves to sit and watch TV, or do almost anything else but the hard work of searching for a job. Picture yourself at your old job: would you have allowed yourself to take a few hours off in the middle of the day to watch Oprah? Would your boss have allowed that? Of course not. Now that you are your own boss, it’s even more important to set up rules. Don’t perceive yourself as a victim – you’re a winner who’s had some bad luck, and good luck is just around the corner. Your next step is to create your own good luck by DOING something that will bring you closer to your objective of finding that next job.

Determine where your problem is

After that initial period of your search, take stock to see what’s been working and what hasn’t. Start by defining exactly where in the process your problem seems to be. Are you getting interviews? If not, your resume might need some work, or you may not be sending out enough resumes. Are you not getting call-backs after the first interview? Perhaps you need to redefine your interview style, or get some interview coaching to allow you to close the deal.

Define your strengths and weaknesses

Even the most qualified professionals have feelings of inferiority and perceived areas of weakness – we are, after all, human. We all have to be careful, however, about perceived weaknesses versus reality. In your particular situation, you feel that perhaps being unemployed is a very strong weakness that is preventing you from getting your next job. Understanding your weaknesses (whether real or not) can be even more important at times than defining your strengths.

Understand and communicate your motivation

Employers don’t know what they don’t know. Many interviewees feel that any weakness they have will always get “wormed out of them”. I’m amazed that interviewees will often even volunteer detrimental information in interview situations. Don’t fall into that trap. The interviewer is a fellow human being, who will be influenced by many factors in an interview situation, most of them superficial and visual (how you dress, your handshake, your level of confidence, etc). They are looking for your motivation for wanting to work for them. Here, being unemployed can be a help – your motivation is simple and easy for them to understand: you need a job. If you were employed, particularly for a short time at a current job, they will wonder why you are thinking of leaving your employer, and whether you will perhaps do the same thing to them. Make sure you adequately relate your motivation to them.

Job search is a numbers game

In sales, (and that’s where you are right now, like it or not) there is a general rule of thumb of the ten to one ratio. Ten prospect calls can land one interested prospect; ten interested prospects can land one sales call; ten sales calls can land one sale. Do the math, and you could need 1,000 prospect calls to land that job! Get out and about, send out letters and resumes, and beat the bushes. The more work you do in this regard, (and the earlier you start, the better) the faster you’re going to be employed again. Job search is a job; you should treat it that way. Arrive at your job search job on time at 8 or 9 am, work until noon, have a break, back at 1, then work until 5 or 6 pm. The rest of the evening is yours, and the same applies to your weekends.

Of course the final, and most important number is one – you only need to have someone say “yes” to you once.

We need someone yesterday!

There used to be inherent weaknesses in being unemployed, but those days are long gone. We have, or will have periods of unemployment in our careers, with very few exceptions. In reframing your perceived weaknesses, think about the other side of being unemployed, from the hiring manager’s perspective.

The advantages are:

1. You can come in for an interview right way, at any time of the day.
2. You can start right away.
3. There’s no possibility of losing you to a counter offer from your current employer
4. You are more likely to be appreciative of having a job
5. You are less likely to leave them

Good luck!

Michael Mayne, M.B.A., CMA, is Managing Partner and a Certified Professional Career Counsellor at Catalyst Careers, a Career Transition, Counselling, and Outplacement firm. Michael has been involved in the not-for-profit sector for many years, and is Past President and Treasurer of ALS Canada. To contact Michael, visit: www.catalystcareers.com.

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Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.