the latter I think. Then it feels less like the whole economic world is ending. On the other hand envy can raise its ugly head.
Hard to say. It definitely takes longer when everyone else in the world is looking, and that waiting for something to happen feeling can be discouraging. On the other hand, knowing that you got an interview, or a second interview, or a job offer during a tough job market is a big ego boost.
Do you think unemployment feels different there in the UK, being on the dole and all that? (Or am I misrepresenting your geography and or the socioeconomics of the place?) It seems like it's a bit less of a grind than in the US, but on the other hand neat techie opportunities might be more rare. This all based on movies and other streotypes, but still. (I mean, gee, can't you just do your own Full Monty bit? Maybe with a goth tinge? Er, nevermind. A lot of stress at work.)
I think we should be called kisraelites. I'm sorry I can't offer anything constructive, except to say that, as bad as it is being out of work, you should tell everyone you know. Every job I've had except one came because of an idea or a connection through someone I knew. I don't mean that I work for my father or anything, but I've got my ex-girlfriend's job right now (though I've made it my own and advanced a bit as well). In short, it's easier to have 10 people looking for your job than it is just yourself, and they can hopefully count on you to do the same when they need the help.
I've always kind of like "Kisraeliens"....
...I sort of dislike the whole connections thing, just because I feel like I'd be starting from scratch if I try to move someplace warm.
Is everyone looking for a job now?
Kirk, with my move to Chicago and my job search, I've started my networking. . .and I feel confident that I'll be able to find people once I move.
As for your disliking connections in the job hunt, is it because you dislike the practice or simply that you don't know enough people in warm places?
How do you network in a remote town?
I dislike it for two reasons: one is the concern about knowing enough people in warm places, the other is that it seems...I dunno, anti-egalitarian, that it's not so much of a meritocracy when it's who you know and just what. I know that this isn't a 100% rational attitude for me to have, that OF COURSE personal relationships are going to count for tons, partially because the pseudo-anonymous hiring process contains can have so much smoke and mirrory going on.
The more established you are career-wise, the more important networking is. You will get to a point in time where the only jobs you move into are ones created for you by people who know you, your talents and skills, and know the value of having them around. When hiring someone for a critical position, I like to do everything that I can assure a successful hire. The more you know someone, the better your chances of predicting a good fit.
Ironically, I'm looking for a new job too. If you're out of work with a lot of people, then it would feel like that particular job/industry was in a slump and finding a job would seem desperate.
I'm not so keen on the networking side of things either, despite the fact that the breaks I've had recently have all come through people who know me. I still like the idea that you can send in your CV and get judged on your skills, rather than the fact that you go ice-skating with the VP's daughter.
And Kirk - Different to what? I've not tried being unemployed anywhere else :-) I suspect it is harder in America, though, what with our generous benefits system. And as for the Full Monty, I think most of the people in this town who want to see me naked already have done :-)
Different from your estimation of the experience in the USA. By rough estimate is that it's unemployment is a bit more of a taboo/shame here, for various socioeconomic reasons...
"already have done"....interesting that that construction isn't around in USA English much... I guess we would have the need to add the final "so"
It just seems EVERYONE's looking for jobs. . .but it also seems like there's plenty of writing and editing jobs out there. They probably don't pay as much as say. . .computer stuff, but it's out there.
I've also read that people at companies are privy to networking and have lost the excitement they had over it compared to a decade or so ago, but I think that's referring to the informational interviews and such as compared to job seeking networking or "creating" future job security.