Whether you are currently in employment and are seeking a better job, or just want to get started on a new career, deciding to search for a new job is the easy part.

In a perfect world, this decision would coincide with a raft of perfect job adverts, all of which you want to do and have a salary that’s to your liking. You would go online, browse the listings, and be more stuck for what not to apply to. So many options calling out to you, offering a new chance and progression in your career.

This, however, is not a perfect world; and the job hunting world is all the more problematic. You may have decided now is the perfect time to start looking for a new job, but you will swiftly learn that sometimes, there just isn’t anything being advertised that appeals to you. If this happens once it’s annoying, but if you keep checking for new listings for weeks and still nothing is happening, then it might be time to examine other courses of action to cope with the disappointment.

Try… Retooling Your Documentation

If it’s been awhile since you have applied for jobs, then chances are your technique is going to be in need of a tune up. Take the time you spend waiting for viable opportunities to be posted and turn it to good use, by going through your resumé and cover letters to ensure they’re up to scratch. Run spell checks, figure out exact details such as the best cover letter wordcount and ideas on creating the right first impression – so the moment you do see a viable opportunity, you’ve done all the background work and can apply immediately.

Try… Widening Your Search Area

If you’re determined to work within a specific area, then you’re always going to be fighting an uphill battle when it comes to being able to find opportunities. If you expand your search area, then you’re going to have a better chance of finding something that suits. If you don’t like what this might do to the length of your commute, make sure you apply for jobs that have something extra going for them to compensate – such as a larger salary, or bigger benefits.

Try… Contacting Companies Directly

Most of us have a company we would love to work for. Even if it seems like a pipedream, there’s nothing wrong with sending a speculative resumé, just to see if there might be something available at that company to suit you. It might even help you in some ways; rather than being lost amidst a pile of other applications due to a job being open, you’re instead going to be evaluated on your own merits.

Try… Self-Improvement

While you’re waiting for the perfect opportunity, you have the chance to improve on your skills. There are a variety of online courses which can help you do this, giving you something to make your resumé all the more impressive. You never know, it might help you find an entirely new area to search for jobs in.