Finding a New Job: Asking for Help When You Need It

No matter the circumstances—be it a layoff, termination, or voluntary resignation—you have every right to seek assistance in securing a new job.

About a year and a half ago, I faced frustration after being denied a promotion by my manager of five years. Despite being praised for my performance, he couldn’t envision me in a higher role.

Eventually, I accepted an offer from someone who guided me through numerous interviews and assured me of being the perfect fit.

However, the new position didn’t live up to its promises. The person who recruited me swiftly ascended the ranks, leaving me behind. I struggled, and when a new manager finally took charge, I found myself under scrutiny.

After enduring ten demoralizing months, I opted for a severance package and left the company.

Having been unemployed before, albeit years ago, I recall a flurry of interviews despite the eight-month search. This time feels different; it’s like traversing a desert.

My resumes gather dust on LinkedIn, and my meticulously crafted cover letters seem to vanish into thin air. Despite exploring adjacent fields, progress eludes me.

I’m hesitant to declare my job hunt on LinkedIn, fearing it might be overshadowed by those who lost jobs due to economic downturns. My situation differs—I struggled in my role and left before facing termination.

Six months of unemployment have taken a toll on my mental well-being, despite staying active in volunteering and self-care activities. How can I navigate through this challenging period?

Karla’s Advice: Seeking Clarification Amid Uncertainty

Your reluctance to seek help or clarity in response to vague feedback and misguided direction is palpable. Whether it’s due to self-reliance, passivity, or fear of admitting uncertainty remains unclear.

Moreover, it appears shame might be inhibiting your actions. Our society often measures one’s worth against their perceived merit, leading us to internalize judgment during times of need. I’ve experienced this too—the inner critic questioning the audacity of seeking help for a situation perceived as self-inflicted.

However, the circumstances of your unemployment shouldn’t dictate your worthiness of assistance.

To borrow your desert metaphor, dwelling on how you arrived there is futile. Whether kidnapped, lost, or misled, your entitlement to seek aid remains unchanged. Learn from past missteps later; focus now on signaling for help and eventual recovery.

Here’s how to send out those signals:

  1. Publicly announce your job search on LinkedIn, specifying your desired role.
  2. Adjust your LinkedIn settings to attract recruiters’ attention.
  3. Inform your network—friends, family, former colleagues—of your job hunt.
  4. Consider seeking guidance from a career counselor to refine your approach amidst changing market dynamics and AI-driven recruitment processes.
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