You’ve hit a wall!  A term I don’t use lightly, and in this case its definition is; when all attempts at receiving employment or starting a business have been met with no success.  You’ve exhausted all your friends, and your resume has to be continually updated to fill in all that “down time” with the last job you had two years ago.  

For anyone out there looking for a job whether you have the experience or not, but have gotten as far as the third interview, don’t give up.  This is not the time to feel sorry for yourself and start drinking or popping prescription drugs or smoking more than your usual amount of weed.

Everyone has a worst case scenario, and all are correct: 

1. The company closed, and after forty years you still can’t retire.
2. Your 27, graduated college three years ago and the stress you’re under with student loans and growing older in your old bedroom at your parents home is becoming an acceptable way of life.
3. You’ve dropped out of high school, or you’ve graduated, and after going through many humiliating minimum wage jobs, you did what you thought was a sure thing and tried to join the armed forces only to find out you’re not qualified enough. 

What are You Made Of?

 Starting with those who are ten to five years away from retiring?  Check your ego at the door.  Follow through with any sensible suggestion that a friend or associate has suggested to you, and stop being so defensive.  Very few can enter a new company at the same pay or higher than the one they left.  Some younger people will do whatever you did for a lot less.  Take a walk in your neighborhood, talk to everyone.  Relationships new or old are sometimes your best chance at finding work.  Walk through the door of any business that has posted a help wanted sign.  Take anything that you can physically do that brings in money.  When you’re not cooking fries, or stacking boxes at a moving company, open your computer and continue looking.

 Those younger have more options when they’re finished with academia than the above to find something in their field to bring in a little income. money. 

Stay in or get in shape.  90% of employers are going to hire someone who is in shape, than one who is thirty pounds overweight.  It shows discipline and stamina and less absence from work.  No one wants to hear how you got that weight off, but you did, and that takes discipline. Know what you bring to whomever is interviewing you.  Do you have the following?  

1. I’m punctual.
2. I’m a team player. (have quantifiable examples ready.)
3. I’m ambitious. (have examples available.)
4. Have an answer ready for this question; Where do you see yourself in four years? (Tailor this response to the job you’re being interviewed for.)
5. I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

In closing, use your available time well in developing the skills that you are passionate about.  Take a course on creative writing, computer software, managing a small business, anything that brings you joy.  Personal creativity according to what is being reported by futurists in the press, the more that you can do well, the better your chances are in being hired.     

John Shinavier, MA, RYT, Life Coach