Action, not advice
I know, the weekend is supposed to be a time to rest and recharge. But for me—and for many who are navigating long-term unemployment—it’s is the hardest part of the week.
During the week, I keep moving. I apply for roles, network with colleagues, and take deliberate steps to stay productive. Whether it’s improving my skills, working on new ideas, or putting myself out there, staying busy helps me focus on what’s ahead.
Then the weekend comes.
The quiet settles in, and with it, the doubts.
It feels like hitting pause in the middle of a disaster film. Everything is crumbling, and I’m frozen, wondering how to move forward. If you’ve experienced long-term unemployment, you know what I mean. It’s not just about tightening a budget or cutting back on extras. It’s about asking yourself the unthinkable:
Do I need to sell my house to make ends meet?
How much longer can I do this?
Am I ever going to land again?
These are questions no one should have to face, yet here we are.
The Noise of “Advice”
Long-term unemployment isn’t just financially draining—it’s emotionally isolating. And while LinkedIn is filled with advice for job seekers, much of it starts to sound the same:
DM the hiring manager.
Tailor your resume.
Write a killer cover letter.
Follow up.
But what if you’re already doing all of those things?
Does that make you a failure? Does it mean you’re unemployable? Because that’s exactly how it feels when none of it works.
And then, the advice keeps coming:
🙄 “Create a personal brand.”
🙄 “Turn your resume into a story.”
🙄 “Cold-message hiring managers.”
🙄 “Upskill while you wait.”
Even worse, this advice often comes alongside scams and predatory tactics targeting job seekers.
There are the unsolicited LinkedIn DMs offering to “rewrite” your resume or promising insider tricks to “guarantee” a job. There are the career coaches sharing miraculous stories about their clients landing dream roles at three times their salaries within two weeks—designed to prey on the desperation of those struggling.
It’s exhausting, demoralizing, and unfair.
Sure, some advice and services can be helpful, but it’s hard to tell what’s legitimate when you’re vulnerable and searching for answers.
What We Really Need: Action
When you’re in the thick of a job search, it’s not more advice that makes a difference—it’s action. Small, meaningful gestures from others can completely change someone’s trajectory.
Here’s what action looks like:
✅ Commenting on someone’s post—not just with a “like,” but with thoughtful engagement.
✅ Sharing someone’s resume with a hiring manager or recruiter.
✅ Introducing someone to a colleague or friend who might help.
✅ Writing a recommendation to highlight their strengths.
✅ Sharing their post to help it reach a broader audience.
✅ Offering feedback on their portfolio or LinkedIn profile.
✅ Inviting them to a relevant event, networking opportunity, or discussion.
✅ Checking in to ask how they’re doing.
These aren’t grand gestures. They’re small, simple actions that remind people they’re not invisible—and that they’re part of a community that cares.
A Personal Reflection
For me, I know I’m still lucky. I have options before reaching the breaking point. But even so, I’ve had to make difficult decisions just to stay afloat. When selling your house starts to feel like the only way forward, you can’t help but ask:
What’s broken here?
I’m grateful to those in my network who have supported me along the way. Your encouragement and actions mean the world to me. And I’m committed to paying it forward—to being the kind of leader who lifts others up when they’re facing their own challenges.
Experiences like this have deepened my understanding of resilience, empathy, and community-building. These aren’t just personal lessons; they’re professional ones, too. And they’re traits I carry into every project, partnership, and team I’m part of.
How We Can Do Better
The job market isn’t just competitive—it’s isolating. But we don’t have to let it be.
If we step up for one another in tangible, meaningful ways, we can create a stronger, more connected professional community.
So I’ll leave you with this:
How have you helped a job seeker today?