25 Signs That You Need Serious Help with Your Search

Perhaps it takes an innocent by-stander or someone with outside perspective to see what might possibly be the problem with your job search.  Here's a checklist of signs that your search needs help:

1. You've been attending a networking group for over a month and you still don't know the names of people.
2. You have had more than 10 first interviews and zero second interviews.
3. When people offer suggestions, you tell them why they won't work for you.
4. You don't have a LinkedIn account.
5. You believe and state out loud the reason you aren't getting a job is because you are too old or too inexperienced.
6. Your father tells you that the Hess Mart is hiring.
7. When people ask what you are looking for you say "A JOB".
8. Your resume has been sent to over 20 job postings and no one has called you.
9. It has been recommended that you change your elevator pitch, but you don't.
10. You believe that the job market is the reason you can't find a job.
11. You've said more than once, there aren't any good paying jobs.
12. You keep applying for jobs at the same company and aren't getting interviews.
13. You believe that recruiters are looking for jobs for you.
14. You've been told your salary requirements are too high more than once.
15. 20 hours a week is all you can spend looking for a job.
16. You've got a collection of business cards but can't remember where you met the people.
17. You've been given a contact name and don't follow up immediately.
18. You believe you are entitled to collect unemployment for as long as the benefits last.
19. You can only name 2-3 companies you would like to work for next.
20. You believe in being perfectly honest.
21. You believe the best time to apply for jobs on-line is between 9-5.
22. You can't network because you don't know anyone.
23. You've run out of people to talk to about your search
24. You don't want anyone to know you are looking for a job.
25. You know who'll be on Oprah tomorrow afternoon.

All of these are real answers I've heard.  Some I share to make you laugh, some are meant to make you mad and some are meant to make you think.

Comments

[David Damico]

Of all the things listed, I think #20 is a big one for me. How to cross that honesty line without being dishonest. Thanks for the list. It did make me think.

[Jacob Share]

Great list, Hannah. I Stumbled it for you:

http://jobmob.stumbleupon.com/review/35337067/

[Career Sherpa]

Stupid, glad you got a chuckle. It is so easy for people to try and rely on technology or someone else to get the results that can only be earned through hard work. Itake it you are all about humor, I'll check out your tweets, we all need a good laugh once in awhile.

Carol, thanks, I hope it hits home for some people, though they may not see themselves in the post...

[Stupid]

HAHAHAHAHA, OH MAN, HILARIOUS! You forgot the one about tweeting being your main job responsibility. Makes so much sense now. 10% of the population doesn't really want a job. Good thing they can always rely on these smug tweets to boost their spirits.

[Carol White Llewellyn, The Finger Lakes Travel Maven]

Good (and funny) list. It's sad to think they're all someone's reality.