While the recession is supposedly in the rear view mirror, many of us are still actively seeking job opportunities. Some have even been searching for months or years. Eventually, the length of the process and the constant rejection becomes discouraging.
However, the key is to lift your head up and try again.
Here are some encouraging tips and takeaways:
1. Look at these Cities
Maybe you need a change of pace? If you’ve been looking for a job in the same market for a while, it’s possible that there simply aren’t any opportunities available. It might be a time for a fresh start.
A recent WalletHub study looked at the 150 largest U.S. cities and compared them based on 17 different metrics (including employment growth, median monthly salary, job opportunities, and safety). The study found that certain cities are exponentially better than others when it comes to finding a good job.
The clearest takeaway is that Texas is the place to be. Plano, Austin, and Irving are all in the top five, with Amarillo, Dallas, and Houston making it in the top 25. On the other end of the spectrum, the five worst cities for employment are Stockton (CA), Fresno (CA), Detroit (MI), Modesto (CA), and Providence (RI).
2. Check Out These Industries
In addition to finding the right city, you should look for industries that are poised for significant job growth.
Here are a few of the top ones:
- There’s currently a lot of growth in the construction industry. Over the past 12 months, more than 200,000 positions have been added. Thousands more are expected to be filled in the coming months.
- Home healthcare. More and more people want to receive healthcare from home. As a result, there will be some steady job growth in this niche of the healthcare industry. From 2014 to 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be a 1 percent increase in employment in the home health aide industry.
- Truck drivers. While most people never consider the possibility of driving an eighteen-wheeler, there are plenty of opportunities. According to CareerBuilder, monthly postings for truck drivers exceed 1 million. However, only 106,355 workers are hired per month.
As you can see, there are a variety of jobs out there. Make sure you’re honing in on industries that are growing.
3. Take Some Days Off
“At one point, I was doing something job-search related every day, from going on informational interviews to searching Indeed for every type of entry-level communications position imaginable,” says Julia Corbett, a marketing coordinator who’s familiar with the job search. “I was burned out. And I found myself losing sight of my main objectives and looking for jobs just to find a job, even if they were not right for me.”
Corbett discovered that the best thing you can do is take a day off every now and then to refuel and shift your focus. This break allows you to stop thinking about the job hunt for a few days and relax. Upon returning, you’ll feel more refreshed.
4. Make Networking a Bigger Priority
What do you think is a more valuable way to spend your time: having lunch with one of your peers or spending an hour searching for jobs online? Contrary to popular belief, the former is probably more valuable than the latter.
Finding a job usually comes down to knowing the right people. Make sure you’re getting out of the house and networking. Set up lunch meetings, develop a powerful elevator speech, and let people know you’re looking.
Don’t Give Up
The job search can seem like an endless road of stress and rejection, but there’s hope at the end of the tunnel. All of your hard work will eventually pay off and you’ll find the job of your dreams.
