Career Blunders: Pride

Given the current economy, no one who is unemployed can predict how long it will take them to find another job. There was a time when the job market was a seller's market, in that companies had a hard time finding good candidates. Now, the job market is a buyer's market.

Employers and recruiters are being much more selective about who they will consider for jobs. The market is flooded with lots of very qualified people. In addition, it's a fact that employers and recruiters have always considered *employed* candidates to have more value than *unemployed* candidates.

We aren't sharing this information as evidence that you should give up, since persistence usually pays off in the end. Rather, we want you to clearly understand that you can't be picky about the job offers you consider–at least, not unless you're independently wealthy. If your cash reserves are limited, and you have a family to support, you have even less room to be picky.

You need to increase your value in the eyes of employers and recruiters as much as possible. You also don't know how long you'll have to use your cash reserves to pay the bills. Therefore, it's wise to do *something* to generate income, even if it's a temporary job far below your previous level of employment. There are those who would argue such a move lowers your perceived value, but a long period of unemployment is much more harmful to your value as a candidate. Looking for a job is indeed a full-time job, but you have to plan as if you will be unemployed for a several months, perhaps even a year or more. Then, if it does take you much longer than expected to find a job, you're better equipped to cope. You also won't have a big gap in your resume.

In summary, our current economy dictates that the unemployed (even professionals!) must swallow their pride when finding ways to generate income and considering job opportunities.