The Unmotivated Job Search [Unemployment]

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I'm 33 and am unemployed. In fact, I have been unemployed since March 2009. I have a BA degree in English, but I'm beginning to think I may have been better off without it; at least I wouldn't be in debt.

I realize I'm at a point where I can't afford to be picky and choosy about where I want to work, but that has little affect on my motivation.

It's become so bad that I have little desire to do anything, other than eat, sleep, and exercise.

How do become motivated?

dispatch.o

As someone on the other side of it. Having a job and no degree and trying to find a job in a location where I can go to school, you're not so bad off.

It's rough out there for EVERYONE right now as far as I can tell. I go through periods where I search for a job pretty heavily for a few months, then just accept that it's probably going to be a while, then give up. Then a few weeks later back to it.

You could probably look at places that offer per-diem tutoring to at least get something going.

All I can really say is right now, it's pretty easy to lose motivation. Just keep trying. You're not any worse off than some other people I know, someone's eventually going to hire you.

YodaTuna

The longer you are unemployed, the less employable you become.

Use the same motiviation you use when you go to the gym. If you're anything like me, you have a specific time/routine to going to the gym so that you don't forget/procrastinate. When I was unemployed, I scheduled from 10am-Noon applying for jobs like it was my job. If you have a hard time concentrating while at home, go somewhere with internet access. I was applying for 3-5 jobs a day. I got 3 jobs offers and about 7-8 interviews during 3 weeks of looking.

Also, don't be picky. There are jobs out there. Apply for jobs you are underqualified for/over qualified for. The worst that happens is they never call you.

Lacroix

Basically join every Temp Agency you find. And keep applying for jobs on their websites and not just wait for them to contact you (even though this is what they will advise).

Speaking as a guy with an Masters in English, I am clinging to the Minimum wage job I have now in Data Entry.

SmokeStacks

How exactly have you managed to survive with no job for over a year?

Also, I guess if anyone asks you during an interview why you've been unemployed for so long you can tell them you were working on a novel.

travathian

Start volunteering at a non-profit in your area. It gives you something to do that is meaningful, may offer the chance to put your skills to use, and could put you in touch with people with connections. A lot of workers at non-profits are retirees, so they may have connections at their old jobs. Or they are sometimes the spouse of someone who makes a crapload of money, allowing them to work at the non-profit for free or cheap. Again, a chance to make connections.

Not to mention it gives you something to put on your resume during that time frame.

edit: but really, you won't find a job until you decide you actually want one. It is painfully obvious you have no desire to actually do anything with your life.

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Please lock.