Unemployed for a Year: Should I Continue Job Hunting or Start My Own Venture?

General Forum
1

I’ve been unemployed for about a year now after my last company eliminated my role. We parted ways mutually, and I left with a severance package.

My background is in SEO and front-end development, but I’ve worn many hats in marketing. My experience spans content generation, social media management, PPC for both Google Ads and social media, email automation, newsletter management, nurture campaigns, brand development, and resolving technical issues like 300s and 400s. However, I lack back-end development skills, particularly coding. While I’m no expert, I can read and edit HTML to some extent.

Since losing my job, I’ve applied to over 200 positions and have reached the second round of interviews multiple times, but companies have always chosen “the other guy.” I’ve targeted everything from Fortune 500 companies to startups, but nothing seems to be sticking. I’ve applied for specific roles like Web Coordinator and broader ones like Digital Marketing Coordinator, covering various experience levels—from junior positions to coordinator and manager roles.

I’m at a crossroads and wondering what my next steps should be:

  1. Skill Development: Is there a particular skill that’s in high demand right now that could boost my chances of getting hired? If it’s coding, what’s the best resource to learn from?

  2. Job Application Strategy: Are cover letters still necessary these days? I’m also curious if companies are consolidating their marketing teams, which might be affecting my job search.

  3. Starting a Business: Should I consider outsourcing my skills or even creating my own digital marketing company?

I’m open to any advice or insights from those who’ve been in similar situations. What would you do in my shoes?

2

Having faced a similar challenge after losing my job and struggling to find a new role despite extensive applications, I found a few key strategies that helped me. Firstly, focusing on skill development can make a big difference; right now, there’s a high demand for proficiency in data analytics, SEO tools, and advanced coding languages like Python. Platforms like Codecademy or Coursera offer great resources for learning these skills. Regarding job applications, while cover letters are still important, tailor them to highlight how your unique skills match the job description. If you suspect companies are consolidating their teams, consider applying for roles that might be more interdisciplinary or hybrid. Alternatively, starting your own digital marketing business could be a viable option; leveraging your broad skill set and finding clients who need freelance support could offer a new avenue for income and growth.