How to reenergize your long-suffering job search

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 05:51 AM PDT

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WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- While the economy may be slowly recovering, it's still tough to find a job and millions of workers have been unemployed for far longer than they'd like.

As of March, more than 6.5 million were unemployed for 27 weeks or longer. Not only can unemployment drain resources, it can take a toll on the psyche of the unsuccessful job seeker. See more on the health effects of long-term unemployment in Vital Signs.

One such would-be employee, Julie in Medfield, Mass. (who asked that her last name not be used), has been looking for full-time work for the two years since she was laid off from a struggling software firm.

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"It's very, very hard to keep motivated because two years is such a long time. I have gone on a good number of interviews, and I haven't succeeded, so it's very demoralizing," she said.

She has more than 12 years of experience as a high-tech controller, but can't find a good long-term job match. While she said "fear is a great motivator" to keep up the job search, she has also been encouraged by a recruiter she began working with about six months ago.

"He's working really hard for me, so that has been good for my morale," Julie said. "He has really gotten to know me. He consistently calls me about various possibilities. He's working for me to the extent that he can, and he is very encouraging."

Recruiters are just one way that the long-term unemployed can reenergize their search, experts said.

Network, network, network

Job seekers should never lose sight of the importance of networking, experts said.

Getting "lost in the Internet" is disheartening, and actual face time is critical, said Allison O'Kelly, chief executive of Mom Corps, a staffing firm based in Atlanta that specializes in flexible employment.

"A lot of people see potential jobs [on the Internet], and they apply and they are not getting called and they decide there is nothing out there," O'Kelly said. "The way people are really getting jobs is by meeting people. The face-to-face interaction makes such a huge difference."

Unfortunately, long-term unemployment can discourage job seekers, and they lose the desire to network, she said.

"But that's exactly what you need to do in order to access some of these jobs," O'Kelly said. "It's about developing a relationship. To really know what's available you really need to get out there and meet people and talk to them about your skills."

Unemployed workers should go to industry events, said Nancy Mellard, national leader of CBIZ Women's Advantage, a mentoring and networking program for woman workers.

"You are staying fresh and alive by being around people who are working," Mellard said. "It's not just trading business cards. It's more about how many of these people connect with the story you tell about yourself."

Volunteering can also help long-term unemployed workers network, said John McKee, founder and chief executive of BusinessSuccessCoach.net.

"It has the side benefit of creating new relationships and getting in touch with people you might otherwise not be in touch with," McKee said.

Due to budget cuts, there is much need for volunteers now, O'Kelly said.

"You can make great contacts and this is something you can put on your résumé and show that you have been doing things even though you have been out," O'Kelly said.

Repackage yourself

The labor market is tight -- there are more than five potential applicants for each job opening -- and workers need to repackage themselves, and be willing to work in a new industry or function, experts said.

"Keep an open mind, especially if you are in an industry with lots of job losses," said Jennifer Grasz, a spokeswoman for career site CareerBuilder.com.

Almost half of workers, 47%, who were laid off in the last 12 months and found new jobs work in a different field than they previously worked in, according to a recent survey from CareerBuilder.com.

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Thursday, April 22, 2010