r e s u m a k e r s !

You’ve been unemployed for a while now, and are starting to feel the burn. Tired of revising the resume, of putting yourself on the line, and of checking f*ing careerbuilder.com one more time, you’re beginning to entertain thoughts of self-sustainable farming, or perhaps nannying other people’s children… anything to get a buck. And more specifically, anything to get out of this hellhole we call… the Job Search.

Luckily, you have me, your friendly blogging friend, to help you out with this latest bout of ennui. And know what I’ve got? Another list for you. Sweet!

This one’s called the “Keeping-Up-Your-Momentum-and-Having-Fun-When-the-Job-Search-Really-Blows” List:

1) Check your attitude. Nothing is more of a downer in an interview than an applicant who is sincerely self-deprecating. Revise the way you look at your situation from having “no” opportunities to having any opportunity you want! It might be hard to remember, but being unemployed is actually a chance to start fresh, to do whatever you want to do, to try something new.

2) Bond. Find a community of other unemployed folks in your area! There actually tend to be a variety of places where you can meet others who are looking for employment, from online at LinkedIn to your local Job Club to Resume or Interviewing Skills Seminars. From there, you can network, share resources, compare skills, or just hang out and blow off some steam.

3) Surf. Reading Job Mob, Laurie Ruettimann, One Louder, or Not Hired, job search/HR blogs that are funny, fresh, and creative, is a great way to improve your job search knowledge, gain some skills, and not feel like you’re working so hard. Hey, maybe you’ll even laugh a little!

4) Get help. The job search is a full-time career, requiring a vast array of skills and knowledge that you may or may not not have in vast quantities. Don’t assume you should be able to do everything! Get a professional to coach you on how best to interview, to advise you on which strategies will get you where you want to go, or to make a simple revision of your resume.

Onwards and upwards!