Wake up, boot up your computer, and churn out resumes. Being unemployed can sometimes feel like an endless routine of repetitive searches and resume formatting. At the same time, if you are like 50% of job seekers, you are spending half of your time applying to jobs you’re not qualified for. This is counter-productive to your ultimate goal of finding work! Stop wasting time applying to all those jobs and start spending your time becoming hireable.

Competition is fierce - Update your skills.

You never stop learning in your career, so why stop when you actually have the time to invest in it? If you find a trend among the skills that are required for the positions you are applying for, allocate a small amount of time each day to further developing that skill. You don’t have to spend money to be effective with job hunting; there are thousands of online resources such as web tutorials, blogs, and Youtube videos available for free. All it takes is motivation and Wi-Fi.

Become a friend of a friend - Network.

According to ABC News, 80% of jobs today are acquired through networking. “But I don’t know how to network,” you say! The word ‘networking’ carries the connotation that we should be schmoozing and talking about the Nasdaq with executives in tuxedos – not so. Do you have a former colleague as a friend on Facebook? Sending them a message and arranging to have coffee is the simplest thing you can do to widen your net of potential opportunities. Focus on your existing contacts (people you’ve worked with or have met through work) and then focus on making new ones through networking events. The key thing to remember with networking is to always follow up.

Cyber stalk yourself - Clean up your online presence.

It’s becoming more common for employers to Google their prospective candidates for more information. Don’t remember that interesting picture of you and a tiger from eight years ago? Google does. Ensure your privacy is protected by ensuring your settings are adjusted appropriately and test them out. If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, create one. LinkedIn is hands down the best way to network online and boasts about 3 billion users worldwide. If you are unemployed, now is the best time to create a professional brand for yourself to give potential employers a more definitive glance at who you are.

Get in touch with your inner thespian - Practice your interview skills.

Interviewing for a position while you are unemployed can add pressure upon you to perform, as you are without the security of an existing job. Confidence is a key factor when interviewing. Perform an online search on the most frequently asked interview questions in your field and write down your best answers. Spend time each week rehearsing and listening to yourself out loud. Soon you’ll have a reservoir of answers that will flow naturally and allow you to concentrate on what matters – the present moment and your impression – rather than grasping for words.

Now go enjoy watching some professional thespians - Take a break.

When you focus all of your time applying for jobs, it can begin to feel like your full–time job. You will not hear back from every application which can inevitably feel like rejection, real or not. To gain perspective, get out of the house; watch a movie, take a walk, play a sport, or go for dinner with friends. Do anything that may help you to re-energize and re-focus your search with an objective mind. Take a little time each day to do something for yourself to ensure that you are taking care of your mental health as well.

Have any other suggestions to share? Let us know by tweeting us @tpdtweets or connecting with us on Facebook.

Angela Buhr, Talent Scout

Angela Buhr is committed to providing a high level of service to promote and retain successful business relationships. Angela specializes in identifying, hunting, and attracting top talented candidates for our clients and is dedicated to providing a superior standard of service to both. Acting as an ambassador, she strategically positions organizations to attract and recruit the leaders that will make the difference.