I have now been unemployed for longer than I have ever been since I was an undergraduate. I am doing my best to learn from the experience the same way I would learn from other experiences. One of the first things I am learning is that I need to set a schedule for myself. My life works better if I have a schedule. Getting into a routine makes me more productive overall.

As part of having a schedule, and feeling more productive, it has also helped me take more control of my job search. Recently I joined a local, large, networking group on LinkedIn. I have used the connections in that group to reach out directly to recruiters for companies I want to work with, and it has gotten my resume sent straight on through to a hiring manager and an in person interview.

I sent an email to the director of recruitment for a company I have been watching for over and year and would love to work for. That was well over a week ago, and I have not heard anything back. That is somewhat disappointing, but I am also very proud of myself for taking that risk and reaching out.

In addition, more than ever before, I am reaching out to my personal network for help get my resume in front of hiring managers.

I have also started researching organizations I am considering applying to on LinkedIn, and using that information to truly personalize my cover letters. In this way, I am able to truly focus my job search on organizations I honestly want to work for, in jobs that excite my both professionally and personally.

I am still job hunting, but, funnily enough, I am feeling better about the process now, three months in, than I have since I first left my job back in January.