1. You’re not alone.

With nearly 10% unemployment you are not alone.  There are many people who have been unemployed for a periods of time.  Finding a job used to take three to six months but now can take six months to a year.   You are not alone, you are not doing anything wrong, and you are not unique.

2. You’re unique

OK.  I just told you that you’re not unique.  But although you may be like many other people who have been out of work for a long time, you are also different.  Everyone is unique and different.  What you do for hobbies.  What your life experience has been.  Who you are.  These factors are all totally different from anyone else.  Play those differences so you can sell your strengths and beat the competition.

3. Keep on looking but don’t keep on looking in the same places

It’s tempting to give up looking for a job when you have been unemployed for a long time.  But please don’t.  It only takes one “yes” to get another position.  You never know when that “no” will become a “maybe” and transform into a “yes”.  But don’t keep on doing the same things. Keep on going to the same websites, sending the same resumes for the same kind of jobs, or talking to the same contacts doesn’t make sense.  Go to different sites, try reworking your resume, and definitely talk to different people.

4. Think out of the box

If your industry, or your organization or you type of job is in decline then try another direction.  Look where your skills can be used in another industry, or organization, or type of work.  Of course this may mean training, relocation or even starting your own business but if that feels right – your intuition is guiding you – then it makes sense to try it out.

5. It will pass

I have been laid off three times.  At the time it felt like I was never going to find another job.  I became desperate and depressed.  I didn’t know what to do.  But when I stopped worrying and either did something positive – made a phone call or sent out a resume – or just meditated or took a walk in the sun or spent time with a friend – things seemed much better.  The recession will pass – it has before and it can again.  There will be more jobs – and you can get one.  And there is the possibility of some work that will exactly meet your needs.  This phase does not have to be permanent.  You don’t have to believe that. You can believe that there is more to come!