Why Did You Take a Break From Your Job Search

Why Did You Take a Break From Your Job Search Thousands of job seekers fall off unemployment every week, but we dont hear about those numbers. DOL does track Discouraged Workers. DOL reports for July 2009: Among the marginally attached, there were 796,000 discouraged workers in July, up by 335,000 over the past 12 months. (The data are not seasonally adjusted.) Discouraged workers are persons not currentlylooking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them.The other 1.5 million persons marginally attached to the labor forcein July had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the surveyfor reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities. Almost 800,000 people (and that number is probably much larger) havereported they arent looking for work because they dont believe there are jobs out there. THE GOOD REASONS TO TAKE A BREAK Going back to school THE UNFORTUNATE REASONS TO TAKE A BREAK Family responsibilities THE OTHER REASONS TO TAKE A BREAK None It is easy to get discouraged. Here are some ways to prevent job search drop out: Dont over-do it. Spending too much time on your search can burn you out. All things in moderation. Be realistic about what jobs you are looking for. Be realistic about how long it will take you to find a job (it will be longer than you want and expect) 53.7% of the unemployed have been looking for over 15 weeks (DOL, 7/2009). Hold yourself accountable or find someone who will (probably not your spouse or partner). Set smaller weekly or daily goals instead of the big one (to Get A JOB). Dont go it alone.Join a networking or support group. Ask for help when you need it (when, not if. You will need help).