The Problem With Crisis Job Search

Our careers are a roller coaster ride, just like every other area of our lives.

They go up and down, have high points and low points.

Some days are better than others.

We can leave our baggage at the doors most mornings, and yet other days we drag in the suitcases.

There is nothing wrong with having the odd negative moment, hour or day about your career.

The problem is when the negative far outweighs the positive when every day is a low point.

Going in some days can be an emotional nightmare. The fact you dislike what you are doing so much affects your confidence and self-esteem. If you have got to this stage then perhaps a Career Change is needed.

The Long Dark Dinner Time of The Sunday Night Soul

I worked with a client once who basically wiped out Sunday with his family so he could concentrate on dreading Monday morning.

Maybe like what he did, you carry out crisis job search every night when you go home.

This is the type of search where you go to the big online job/career recruitment sites, enter a keyword and then just send off your stored CV, usually the CV that has been the same one, without changes, for a year or two.

The problem here is you then feel as though you have been applying for a while and nothing is happening. You believe that recruitment agencies are no good when the truth is you sent something irrelevant, untargeted and not a match.

Let me explain. You are only applying in crisis when things are bad.

Think about it when you do other things in a bad mood: does it work out rosy? Or does it seem to get worse?

My advice: stop applying for a while.

What! I know, I am asking you to give no thought to your career, the thing that is driving you insane. Instead of applying, research and get ready to make a meaningful change.

This can include the following:

• Discover what you love to do. Think about your current role, is there any of it left that you still enjoy? Make a list.
• Spend time on you. Next time you are online only research the roles and careers you would love to explore. Find out about salaries, training, skills requirements.
• Speak to those already doing the job you would like. Spend time with them asking all about it. Be ready and willing to see new opportunities and chances.
• Get ‘career savvy’. Learn everything there is to know about researching, applying, writing CV’s and cover letters, interviews and alternative career searching. Instead of downloading an online template start a file of interesting information you find.
• Start applying again when you are not in crisis. Commit yourself to this. When you are calmer, you are more focused and you will actually see more.
• This is the best time to apply, not when you are in despair. It’ll come through in everything you write, say or do.