Getting a job when you have no prospects: Part 1

I was running an errand and encountered a nice red flower.

I decided recently on a career change. I need something less intense (right now) than doing intense psychotherapy with girls with eating disorders. I know a lot of people have said to me, “Wow. That is such an interesting field”, or “Your job has such meaning.” And I do admit that it was fulfilling, but also gut-wrenching. It’s just hard to be an Imma and worry about your clients and your children at the same time. The lines get very blurry and since we just moved, I am taking a natural break. I need some space to think about it. For now, I decided I would like to do something intellectually stimulating but less emotionally draining.

And then came the idea of social media marketing. I have no idea what it is, but it seems really interesting. I already enjoy blogging and writing and perhaps it’s something of a flexible field. I’m not going to mention any leads I’ve had so far, but here’s what I’ve done in my job search, which began with no prospects:

1)      Applied to all the jobs that seemed relevant to that field and explained why they should give me a try. “I have a nice smile and I work really hard”. Got zero responses there, but I still apply every day. It just makes me feel like I’m doing something productive, but I assume some HR people are getting really tired of seeing my resume pop up.

2)      I sent out a message on relevant list-serves that I was a free agent and I would like to do an internship in order to learn about the field. Some leads there, but worried about being taken for a ride and being left with no experience and no job.

3)      NBN said I should do a skills resume, which I am working on.

4)      I told everyone I know that I am looking.

5)      I went to get unemployment from lishkat hataasuka (and bituach leumi). Getting some income helps.

6)      I try to do things I love like blogging, reading, cooking, going to chugim (for myself) and shiurim (Torah classes). I think it’s very important to keep active. One cannot job-hunt for 8 hrs a day without being spun into a vortex of depression.

7)      I am toying with the idea of writing a proposal to the mayor telling him I’ll be in charge of attracting people to Raanana, and perhaps work on getting more information in English to those of us who cannot leaf through those thick booklets of chugim and events they send out every month. I’ll keep you posted about that. I think it seems like a good idea, but maybe I’ve been unemployed for so long that I am deluding myself?

8)     I did my nails.

9)      Trying not to bug my husband (who is studying for the bar) during my free time.

10)   Working on projects at home such as a positive reinforcement chart (which I will blog about later), which is working out great. Other projects include painting kippot, making excel file comparing our grocery list from one store to another, and making weekly menus for meals.

Has anyone else been in these shoes? What have you done to stay sane? Maybe you have some tips?

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