7 Tips to Navigate the Job Market When Companies Are Not Responding
Eva Gordon works with individuals, families, and organizations to promote safety, well-being, and self-care. Eva is the founder and director of Life Guide LCSW, P.C., a mental health practice providing psychotherapy and community mental health education.
During these times, many people are seeking new jobs, new opportunities, or ways to advance their careers. Employers are not hiring as much as usual, so job seekers receive few or no responses to their inquiries. This means getting a new job or opportunity is taking longer than usual. You might feel stuck or stagnant in a job where growth is not valued and professional development is neither encouraged nor provided. How do you navigate your working world or current job when job hunting seems endless or unproductive?
Explore the following tips to maintain mental clarity and reduce stress during your job hunt:
Know who you are: It is crucial to know your self-worth without a job or career. It is understandable to fall apart when you are laid off or turned down for the job you really wanted. However, you do not have to lose your sense of self because of a tough economy. The main idea is that our self-worth is defined by our beliefs and humanity, not our profession.
Assess your skill set: Before you leave any job or finish your education, figure out your skill set. It is one thing to complain about the lack of growth at your job, but it is important to know where you have grown and what you bring to the table. Before you look for work, make sure you know what skills you bring to the table and what skills you want to learn or enhance. Then, you can enhance your resume and cover letter by highlighting your skill set. Once your resume covers the skills you offer, you can look for the jobs you really want and deserve.
Identify current opportunities at your job: Is there a new project or event at your company that needs volunteers and could create growth in your career by adding a skill or improving your existing skills? Check with your HR department about training. Or, do you have an idea for a project that could provide growth and enhance your current position? Employers appreciate staff who are proactive and take action to help the company grow.
Visit the company’s EAP unit: Many companies have created an Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, to support and improve staff well-being and reduce stress. They might offer wellness days or provide referrals to a mental health provider.
Know what job you are seeking: It is not enough to be mad at your boss for micromanaging you or not giving you enough guidance, training, or supervision. When you are upset or stressed about your job, become proactive and explore your dream title. When I ask clients what their dream job is, they know, but they need to define it clearly and make it achievable. Proactivity is key when things seem impossible. Things can change for the better.
Research the company you are interviewing with: It is not enough to want a job or escape the stress of your boss or a toxic work environment. When you see a position that interests you, research the company and see whether your skill set and professional identity are in alignment with it. Learn about its services, programs, or products, and connect these areas to your resume and professional goals. This connection can be included in a cover letter. Once you research the company and make these connections, you will be more prepared for the job interview.
Cultivate new or current relationships: According to experts, many jobs are not posted publicly. When you attend professional or networking events, you meet executives or managers who might be hiring or need someone with your skill set. You can also create connections through social media or online groups where people connect and share information about their companies.
Getting mad at your boss or coworker does not help. It will not reduce your stress or improve your mood. In fact, it takes energy to plot against anyone. Understanding who you are as a person, your professional identity, and your career goals is where you should spend your energy. Take time to evaluate where you want to go in your life and make sure your next professional goal can take you there. This will help you feel better about yourself and feel that you are moving in the right direction.
If you feel that you need help strategizing or understanding the obstacles you face in work and life, psychotherapy is a wonderful way to explore this. Psychotherapy is about discovering yourself, and this is what needs to happen to make changes in your life.
Contact me to schedule a consultation to see how we can work together to improve not just your work life, but your entire life.
Read more from Eva M. Gordon, LCSW
Eva M. Gordon, LCSW, Psychotherapist and Mental Health Consultant
Eva M. Gordon, LCSW, is the founder and director of Life Guide LCSW, P.C., a mental health practice providing psychotherapy and community mental health education in the New York City area. Her focus is on providing mental health treatment to the Black community as a source of healing and hope. She mainly works with Black professional women aged 30 and up who struggle with unhealthy relationships. The goal is to help these women recognize that self-care is their birthright and not a privilege. Eva uses several strategies, including exploring behavioral patterns, emotional management, and understanding how multiple factors contribute to a person’s mental health during their lifespan.
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