What are you doing to close the gap in your work history while you seek employment? Research has shown that the longer one is out of work, the longer it can take to find a job. Research has shown that it is easier to find a job when you have a job. If you are not currently working consider employing one of the following strategies:
- Volunteering. There are many benefits to volunteering, including learning new skills, developing network contacts, and developing references. Many employers will consider it some type of work experience.
- Take a job that may be below what you are used to. Retail and food service are often hiring. It may be easier in an interview to discuss why you took a minimum wage job to pay bills, than why you did nothing at all. Also many times, these jobs are part-time; allowing you spend sufficient time on searching for the job you really want.
Do you have specific job goals, when you contact employers/apply for jobs? You may be willing to do anything, but is that what you are telling employers?
- When seeking employment, you may be willing to do anything. If so that is great, but it does not sell well. Different jobs may require different search strategies. At the very least, they require different resumes, cover letters, and different interview preparation. When you contact an employer, you should be specific about a type of job you want. By being specific, you are letting them know you interested in what you could do for them, not the other way around.
Don't give up! It may take time to find work, but if you stick with it, you will find a job.
Darren Flomberg is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and Certified Case Manager. He is a vocational rehabilitation counselor who has been serving the Long Island and NY-NJ Metro area for the past 11 years. Additionally, he is a vocational expert witness who has participated in hundreds of Social Security Disability hearings since 2009.
