How do you cope with the depressing job market ?

[MAJOR METAL]

For all those on the job search, how do you keep your spirits up despite not finding work ?

[Jhengsman]

back in the Carter days I joined the Army

[sandmangeck]

Relish in the fact you aren't paying into social security that you will never see!

[tplyons]

Lots and lots of candy...

[Pilgrim]

Talk positively to yourself. Don't hang out with negative people. Keep looking - work at finding a job like it's your job.

[steamthief]

Volunteer some time outside of the job search. I'm managing my daughter's softball team and it's a lot of fun.

[Drop-D]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Talk positively to yourself. Don't hang out with negative people.

+1,000

My dad always told me this. It's proven true many, many times.

[Popbumper]

I keep busy at all times, too easy to slip into a mental slump. I have a hobby which makes a small income, so I pursue it strongly and solicit work regularly, selling excess off on Craigslist. The small money I am making now supplants our income as my wife works a little bit extra. I keep up social contacts and network. Daily, I spend time at regular job searches, and look at ways to refine my resume.

Been out almost two months now, the time has FLOWN!! Always amazing how you want time off when you are working, and when all you have is time, all you want to do is work. Be careful what you wish for.

Chris

[runmikeyrun]

I was working 60+ hours a week for the last two years, and I just quit my job. I returned to school, is that an option for you?

[tplyons]

On a serious note...

1) I turned the job search into a full time job. Either I was applying for jobs, researching a company etc.
2) Lots of reading. Hit the library and read books on your chosen profession.
3) Learn a new skill. For me, before I started work I made an effort to learn to play golf. Granted, I'm still learning, but it gave me something to concentrate on.

[MJ5150]

Take a job, any job. It seems easier to find a job when you already have one.

-Mike

[jp58]

Originally Posted by steamthief

Volunteer some time outside of the job search. I'm managing my daughter's softball team and it's a lot of fun.

I'm helping to coach football and it's provided something to busy myself with during the downtime since I'm only working 18 hours a week.

Sometimes the non-monetary rewards for something like that are worth much more than the cash gains a a minimum wage job.

I'm also in school though, so the job market hasn't killed me. Instead, it's buried me in student loans.

[IconBasser]

I practice with my death metal band.

Luckily, I'm still in college, so it's not as much of a concern. It will be in about 8 months though

[WalterBush]

Unemployment in Yuma County hit 30% in July...and hasn't gone down any. It's pretty depressing.

I made my New Wave band, which was doing well, into my full time business. We all wanted to make more money anyway, it was never just a hobby. Only one of us is still employed full-time unfortunately, but that meant the rest of us could throw ourselves into it.

It's taken a bit of time, and it's still not enough, but we're working 4 out of 5 weekends next month, and more to come. We just decided that we'd work the job that we had and could grow.

Also, I've taken up doing any odd job I can...replacing busted guitar nuts, doing setups and repairs, giving lessons, doing light electrical work in peoples' homes, whatever. Just because companies aren't hiring as much doesn't mean I can't earn money. If I had to, I'd walk around town with a lawnmower offering to take care of people's yards. It may still come to that. My wife and I have even looked into getting a license and selling the BBQ I make because I like to eat it...working people still like having lunches delivered and will pay for the privilege.

So, couldn't find a job (thought I haven't given up on that) and decided to make a job instead. It looks to be working, we'll see how it does long-term.

[Ray man]

Sometimes it helps to know that ur not the only one.
Believe me, i feel like a f*cking alien around my friends who are better off.

[MatticusMania]

I'd find a way to go into business for myself.

So, prostitution.

[Strohsx]

Vodka

[Popbumper]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I'd find a way to go into business for myself.

So, prostitution.

I can't pronounce that word. Did you say "poverty"?

Chris

[Popbumper]

Originally Posted by Strohsx

Vodka

Anyone with a name that has beer in it MUST know there is some truth in his reply......

Chris

[6jase5]

Originally Posted by tplyons

On a serious note...

1) I turned the job search into a full time job. Either I was applying for jobs, researching a company etc.
2) Lots of reading. Hit the library and read books on your chosen profession.
3) Learn a new skill. For me, before I started work I made an effort to learn to play golf. Granted, I'm still learning, but it gave me something to concentrate on.

+1

Adding - attend industry specific conferences assuming that they don't break the bank.

I also suggest using the technique that I use in sales and interviews. I use Hoovers to look up companies and read more about their history, look up the principal decision makers, look for potential Linkedin info or even facebook pages...get to know them as just one personal connecting comment can help. I got this job because of a football cliche knowing that the guy interviewing me was an NFL and fantasy football nut. He was late to the interview and I said "Thought you were just icing the kicker" and he laughed about it the entire time. He even told someone that he made his mind up right away when I made him laugh. I use the same technique in corporate sales every day.

You can have the greatest resume, but people still have to feel like they want to work with you on a daily basis and connecting on some level helps.

My best to all of you out there looking.