As a career advisor, I work at my job seekers’ pace. Everyone’s path is different, but even still, I get frustrated, and I know they do as well when days turn into weeks, which turn into months sometimes. Looking for work can be difficult, especially in smaller or rural areas. Discouragement and loss of faith in themselves and me often occur. I work with roughly 30-40 job seekers at a time, and I am often asked this question. Today, I wanted to share what I do and how I help people to overcome these barriers.
Decide you want to get a job or still want to work – As obvious as this statement might seem, wanting to work and being prepared for the lifestyle changes inherent when working is not something everyone is prepared for, and that lack of “stick-to-itism” can be a major roadblock when looking for work.
Get Help – You can find a job without a career advisor to help; however, most local jurisdictions provide help at no charge to you. Since most of us do not regularly look for jobs, ignoring this assistance will only prolong your search.
Are you getting all of the support you are entitled to and/or need? Do you regularly file your income taxes? In Canada, virtually all government supports are linked to filing your taxes, regardless of how low your income may have been. Also, it staggers me to know how many people are not getting or even aware of the support programs that can make their lives easier while they are looking for work and even afterward. A good career advisor can help you make the connections you need.
What does success look like? Is your goal very short-term: to get a job and pay your bills? That works for today, but you need to decide what you want for your life. Think about what your ultimate goal is and how to get there. Your medium and long-term goals should, even if not very well defined yet, align. Set your goals and create a realistic plan on how to achieve them.
What gaps exist? It is good to have goals and plans but figuring out the “how” to get there is the key to your eventual success. You might need more education and need to seek assistance both financially and logistically. You might need to add another step or two to your plan to gain the necessary experience. Identifying and filling these gaps will help you get to where you want to be.
Build your resume – Your resume’s job is to work with your cover letter to get you an interview with the organization you wish to work for. Your resume should change for each position and evolve over time as you add skills and experiences.
Don’t step over your debris – For those of us with barriers to employment, especially those created by trauma, we need to apply trauma–informed job search techniques, make use of accommodations and disclosure, and look for potential employers with strong diversity, equity, and inclusiveness policies. We also need to face our fears and issues with frustration and depression with our job searching, not to be paralyzed by them, but to be able to overcome them.
Cover Letters help you stand out – Always create a tailored cover letter for every position you look for … even if the employer has not asked for one. Read the job advertisement carefully, pull out all the relevant details, match your skills to what will solve the employer’s problem(s), and apply. Many of my job seekers use AI as a tool to create a cover letter starting point, but then also personalize and craft something unique to them. Most people do not do all of these steps, and it gives you a competitive edge if you do.
Use the Job-seekers playbook – Working with a career advisor one hour per week is not sufficient. I recommend that my job seekers work for a minimum of 2 hours per day, five times a week, to be successful. My job seekers and I created a two-page tool to track progress and actions to help them on days when they are not meeting with me.
You need a reason to get out of bed each day – Develop a daily routine. One of the most difficult mental barriers is finding and keeping a routine while you are unemployed. Creating and using a regular routine can allow you to focus and redevelop a sense of purpose. Managing your time, setting priorities, and delivering on your weekly goals are all transferable skills that will help you succeed.
Go to every meeting with your career advisor and follow their recommended next steps. Looking for work is difficult, especially given the economy in 2025. It is not enough to do what you may have done in the past to get a job. There are 23 steps outlined here; the more you complete, the more likely you are to be successful.
Most people suck at interviews – In my expertise, framing your interview answers to address the stated needs of the hiring organization and preparing better answers to interview questions will help you tremendously. Remember, all interview questions are usually connected, and by practicing, you can take “good” answers and always make them “better.”
Do not underestimate the value of your confidence and presentation—confidence develops through practice and feedback. Every detail, from how you style your hair to the clothes you wear, can give you an advantage. Ask your career advisor to be direct but also to suggest ways to improve, and you will find that both your confidence and your presentation skills improve.
Don’t only use online sources for jobs – Developing a dual-path job search plan that includes online applications as well as “cold calls” where you approach local organizations for opportunities will increase your chances for success. Cold calling is difficult, but the competition is much less as a result.
Learn how to properly follow up – This fundamental step is one that most people do not do well. Practicing what to say and how to say it can demonstrate why you are the best person to solve your prospective employers’ requirements. Also, following up is much easier if you track your applications, dates, who you spoke to, and when you followed up.
Network, network, and network – Everyone you know should know you are looking for work. Use social media and networking tools like LinkedIn to build connections. Attend local job fairs and practice what to say and what questions to ask. Use elevator pitches, remember names, and always provide value to the people you meet.
Always be upgrading – There has never been a better time to upgrade your skills; many topics can be done for little or no charge. Libraries and Adult Learning Centres offer many micro-credentials; organizations like Contact North can connect you with a specialized course for your purposes. YouTube and LinkedIn learning are also very useful. Each course or topic completed makes you more knowledgeable and helps you to stand out.
Luck is a factor – Hard work and dedication help to create luck but so does putting yourself in a position to take advantage of breaks when they happen. Appreciate the fear you feel when a good opportunity does happen and acknowledge when you are afraid of making a choice but take advantage of each door that opens as a result of your hard work.
Persistence and resilience are required – Your ability to recognize and deal with frustration, rejection, and depression when things don’t work is vital. Things will not always work, and often you will be passed over for jobs that you think you are perfect for. A career advisor can help, and it is also important to know that this is the time to keep trying, not to give up.
Self-awareness will keep you focused – Job searching is difficult and can be influenced by many factors outside of your control, like tariffs and economic downturns. Your ability to learn and adapt, to reevaluate goals and methods regularly, will lead you to success.
People will help – Ask those people around you for their respect and seek out mentors. Requesting organizations for a brief informational interview can open doors and help you gain valuable insights.
Learn and evolve – Jobs and careers will ebb and flow; your best method of preparing for setbacks and opportunities is to always be learning and developing your skills. Your resume should always be up-to-date, and you should be prepared.
How long will your job search take? The answer depends on the effort and time you invest. Job searching is a process that rarely follows a direct path, but using these twenty-two steps will help you stay on track and may shorten the timeline.
Good luck,