So why am I still jobless?

Don’t give up. Put an extra spark in your job hunt with these tips.
Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, the labour market is still tight and many people are still finding it tough to find a job.
Many job seekers receive a job offer within two to three months. But longer searches are not uncommon. As the waiting drags on, people feel their morale and energy slipping away.
Those who have been unemployed for a prolonged period of time may tell you they have been “looking for years”. But have they tried to do something new? Chances are they have not. There are always new things to do. It may be something that they have overlooked which they could try out.
The key is to maintain a positive attitude in order to have a successful campaign with a happy ending.
Here are some tips to help keep you motivated when things look bleak:
Expand your targets
Think out of the box. If you have been looking only in the same industry as before, look elsewhere.
All of us have transferable skills. People who have worked for accounting firms should look on the client side and explore accounting for not-for-profit organisations or small to mid-sized corporations.
There may be literally hundreds of companies and organisations to explore, most of which can be unearthed by just a few hours of research on the Internet.
Try different techniques
Most people think that getting a job is about answering advertisements in the newspaper or relying on search firms. People do get jobs from advertisements. Yet fewer than 20 per cent of all jobs are filled through search firms and ads. Some people get their next job because of their “old boys’ or girls’ network”.
Another overlooked technique is direct contact, which is not the same thing as networking. Many people get good jobs because they go out and find them.
You may think that writing to employers out of the blue is a waste of time. Often it will be. But enlightened employers (the sort you want to work for) will never ignore a good letter from out of the blue. They know that first-class people are difficult to find.
Be flexible on salary
Most people are not making what they made three years ago. Many were over-paid during the boom of the 1990s. Be realistic and accept that you will be paid fairly at current market rates, as the market is not very strong right now.
Whatever your salary, think of it as temporary until the market turns around.
Be realistic and do what you have to do to bring in some money and keep yourself healthy emotionally. The situation will change again in a few years. You’re just trying to get through this rough patch.
Be around positive people
It is not helpful to associate with people who wallow in frustration and self-pity.
Join associations or do volunteer work to make positive contacts. You will meet people with an upbeat attitude while keeping yourself up-to-date in your field.
Of course, you can also seek help from a career coach to help guide you through the process of personal career mastery.
Get a job-search buddy
Your buddy is someone who is also searching for a job. He should be someone whom you can talk to fairly often and informally. You might say: “Here’s what I’m planning to do today in my search. What are you planning to do? Let’s talk tomorrow and make sure we’ve done it.”
Your classmates are your best job-search buddies if you are a fresh graduate. Or you can probably find your job-search buddy through job search agencies such as the Community Development Councils (CDCs), the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) or self-help groups.
Keep physically and mentally fit
Looking for a job can be stressful, and stress can prompt you to give up good habits such as going to the gym.
Take care of yourself physically. Watch your drinking, eating, and smoking which can get out of hand.
Get dressed every morning. Look good. Get some exercise. Eat healthy food. Take some time off to recharge. Don’t postpone having fun until you get a job.
Do something you are normally unable to do when you’re working, such as going to a musical or to the park for a walk. You’ll be more relaxed and more interesting when you go on interviews.
Don’t give up
Continue looking even if you don’t feel like it. When you were in your old job, there were days you didn’t feel like doing something, but you did it anyway because it was your responsibility.
Hunting for a job is your job right now. Make a phone call. Write different resumés for different jobs. Research a company you’re interested in. Do your best every day. No matter how you feel, remember that looking for a job is a full-time job.