4 Ways to Jump-Start a Dead Job Search

It’s frustrating, I know. You’ve been searching for a new job for weeks now – months even. Interviews are few and far between, and the interviews you do get are nothing you actually want – but hey, they’re job opportunities, right? And at this point, you’ll take what you can get.

So you entertain these opportunities you don’t really want because, well – you need a job!

It’s a vicious cycle.

You apply. You wait. You apply. You wait. You apply. You wait some more.

Your job search is on its last leg. You’re feeling drained, and desperation is starting to set in. You aren’t sure what to do next.

Now, you’re here. You saw this article’s headline and felt a glimmer of hope – and that’s a good thing. I’m here with a few tips that, I believe, will help you revive your lifeless job search. By doing something a little different, you may be able to finally land that dream job you’ve been after for so long.

1. Revamp Your Resume

When was the last time you took a good look at your resume? Is it up to today’s standards ? Does is really, truly speak to your value? Does in incorporate the right keywords? Run it by a certified resume expert to see if they have some tips for improvement.

Your resume should be selling your value. Quantify your achievements and really showcase your skills. Prove to the employer that you will be a benefit to have on the team.

Think about it this way: If you’re able to copy and paste the bullets on your resume onto someone else’s, you aren’t selling anything but a job description. Get specific about what you’re offering and what you have accomplished.

2. Get More Active on LinkedIn

Have you been logging in to your LinkedIn account on a regular basis and cultivating those relationships? Roughly 98 percent of recruiters  use LinkedIn to search for and vet candidates just like you – but they can’t find you if you’re not there!

Maybe it’s time to recover your password, build a new profile, and reach out to your network.

A great way to utilize LinkedIn is to become active in groups. You can join up to 50, so play around with several. The key here is to build visibility. The bigger the group, the more visibility you gain. Some groups have more than a million members, which opens up your network tremendously. You can also check out the “jobs” tab in many groups – there may be some hidden gems in there.

3. Network More Aggressively

According to some estimates, 80 percent of jobs are never even publicly advertised.

What does that mean for you?

It means you need to find people, not jobs! It is people who will put you in touch with the so-called “hidden job market,” not a job board.

Get out in your local community. Join a networking group, go to an industry association meeting, or volunteer. Do something to get out from behind the computer and become known in your area as a real person whom people like and trust.

To supplement your in-person networking, you can also turn to LinkedIn. There are almost 400 million people on the site, so you’re bound to find someone who is in a position to either hire you or refer you to a great job opportunity. Just make sure you don’t use these connections to get what you want. You need to become someone they can know and trust, first. Always put relationships first! It’ll pay off.

4. Reignite Your Excitement

I’m hoping that, at some point or another, you were hyped about the possibilities of your career. Find that again.

Somewhere along the way, you lost your enthusiasm. You cannot let negativity overcome you. A bad attitude will leak out into your job search. Whether you realize it or not, others will be able pick up on your desperation, resentment, and disappointment – and those are not attractive qualities in a job seeker.

Find a way to get excited again. A great way to do so is by creating your ideal job description. What do you want to be doing on a daily basis? Why? What is driving you toward this particular career choice? What will it mean for your life and your family?

If you can’t find excitement in your career goals, you’re doing it all wrong – but that’s a topic for another time.

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The reality is, you are not alone. The job search process can be overwhelming and challenging if you don’t have a plan in place. If you find yourself in a particularly dark moment, use these four tips to help yourself jump-start the job search.

For more tips from Melanie, see her online community or her career academy.