Lazy Days of Summer?

With today's economy, I'm pretty sure there is NO good time of the year to be out of work. But next to perhaps the week between Christmas and New Year's, summer has got to be up there with worst timing ever. 

With June rolling in to the mass exodus of local schools, trips to the beach, vacation getaways and longer hours of sunlight, it is hard to focus on anyone's job. Apparently that is what most offices are experiencing, anyhow. So as I dig and dig and call and call and ship resumes out until my fingers turn blue, I'm not getting to far.

I keep reading these statistics like a typical person laid off takes 12 to 18 months to find a new job. A year-and-a-half?! Omg... What in the hell am I going to do for all that time?

Another I read said for every 100 resumes you send, you can expect around five phone calls, leading to maybe one or two interviews. Stellar.

I've attended some headhunter's seminars, read up on the job searching role and have of course made countless edits to my resume. I'm taking free sessions in my community to learn to "sell myself" better. Gee, I wish I'd have majored in branding or marketing. Sigh, alas, I did not.

The powers that be recommend that you spend 25 to 30 hours job searching. Just like you would spend minimally in a job itself. With two, soon-to-be-home for summer kids, that might not be real feasible. I vow every day, though, to check into the job boards. I read them all. I apply to at least a few each day, hoping that something, somewhere, will turn into a job.

Yet another frustrating stat told me that only about 12 percent of the workforce gets hired via a flat out job application/job board. The rest typically are hired via networking.

I find that one a little hard to believe, but as any professional will tell you, it is all about "who you know." I have a great network of family, friends, former co-workers, former competitors, neighbors... the list goes on and on, but so far? Not much luck. They are great friends, great networks, but sadly few have jobs I could do, or jobs at all for that matter.

I'll keep longingly searching for "Help Wanted" posters, and repeatedly checking my typical boards. My inbox is filled with tips, hiring posts and ideas. I just have to find the RIGHT one.