Blog Post: The Unemployed Recruiter Part 2

This is what they call burn out. If you ignore the warning signs you risk losing a lot.

My typical morning was me dropping off my daughter at school then heading to the nearest hot spot. My routine wasn't ideal...but it kept me from going insane. If I sat at home and sent out resumes I would surely become de motivated and sink further into depression...so I set up "office" at a Starbucks close by. My fingers seemed to be trained to remember the logins to what seemed like some days hundreds of job boards. I learned to spot ads that would only try to sell me something if I sent my resume to the email listed.

I just have to say...there were times I would read a job posting and think "perfect!" only to get a reply about affordable medical insurance. Those emails usually added to my panic...not only was this not a potential job it also reminded me of one more draw back of unemployment.

Before I could arrive at the comfort of my routine I sat at red lights next to people rushing to work or pass by homeless. These two extremes tortured me and gave me hope at the same time. I looked to my right at those rushing to work...drinking their coffee, yelling on the phone, applying makeup, reading emails on their blackberries...and reminisced about a life I once had with love and hate. Then I look to the left and see someone with desperation written all over their face. My eye catches my own reflection. I see the lines of desperation forming, signs of stress fading and eyes searching for a medium.

These extremes were exactly what it took to wake me up. I opened my eyes to what I didn't want. A new determination sparked inside of me. Those faces that haunted me before...the faces of the forgotten...are what inspired me now. They were also looking for that medium. I asked myself what was going to set me apart from what was sitting to my right and left? My answer: Tenacity.

This is a game of numbers and resolution. I wasn't going to be what sits to my right...someone that settles. And I wasn't going to be what sits to my left...abandon a dream. I was going to stand right where I was. I would clock into this new full time job that is job searching and I wasn't going to give up until I found what I needed. So what if there are 300 other Kelly Dickerson's looking for the same job I am looking for...eventually I would find it.

A great resume, networking and knowing where to look are keys to success...but the key that unlocks the final door is staying positive and being true to yourself.

To a recruiter like me the applicant with determination says more than a great resume.  The applicant that knows themselves more than the "right people" is more valuable.  And the one that doesn't stop looking is the perfect hire.