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Job Searching - What to Expect

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As you begin your job search, you may be wondering:   How long will it take to find a job?

It's hard to say, but as a general rule of thumb, a job search takes one week on average for every $2,000 of annual income sought.  For example, if you're looking for a job that pays in the $12,000 range, it takes six weeks on average to find a job.  If you're looking for a job in the $20,000 range, it takes ten weeks on average.

But remember - these are averages.   The actual time spent searching for a job will depend on many factors -- the economy, worker demand, the job market, the number of qualified applicants, an applicant's presentation to an employer, being at the right place at the right time, and good old-fashioned luck.

How you search for a job will be a factor as well.  If a professional counselor or job specialist from the state Vocational Rehabilitation Division, Commission for the Blind, or other agency is assisting you in the job search process, it will likely take less time than if you apply for jobs on your own, for example.  Vocational counselors and job specialists often have time-saving contacts and inside leads you simply don't have.

Another factor will be how flexible you are in your job search.  If you're willing to adjust your expectations regarding wages, companies, locations, and job positions desired, you'll likely spend less time searching for a job.

The length of time to find a job will also depend on how much time you spend on your job search activities each week.  If you only contact one or two employers a week, expect the process to take a long time.  But if you're on the fast track sending out twenty or thirty applications and resumes a week, you'll definitely arrive at your destination a lot sooner.

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Rejection 

Two words about rejection -  expect it.

Everyone who applies for jobs gets rejected along the way.  In fact, that's the reason why job searching takes such a long time!  Never, never take rejections personally, and never let rejections slow you down.  If a rejection comes along, simply use it as a cue to self-critique your presentation to employers, and make improvements where improvements are needed.  Then get back to work!

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