How to Answer the Dreaded “How’s the Job Search Going?”

“How’s the job search going?”

Job searches aren’t going well until you find a job, at which point they’re over. And yet everybody wants to ask you how your job search is going. Instead of answering with sarcasm, disdain, annoyance or brutal honesty, try these responses to this ever-present question:

“Great!”

Solid. Classic. Direct and to the point. Probably inaccurate, but an all-around good answer.

“Great! How’s YOURS going?”

This one is ideal for your friends from college, who are probably in the same boat.

“I haven’t heard back from anyone yet, but I’m hopeful.”

Honesty and positivity in one response. This is a terrific answer, and a terrific attitude to have.

“Let me tell you every single detail about it!”

Probably reserve this one for your BFF.

“No progress yet! Wanna hire me?”

An excellent response if the inquiring friend/family member happens to be a hiring manager at a local company.

“Very poorly! I’m miserable!”

Okay, never mind, this is a terrible way to respond. Even if your job search is making you feel awful and hopeless, try to stay upbeat and confident, for your own sake as well as the sake of those you’re talking to. Remember, you’re a qualified, hardworking individual (you are hardworking, right?), and some lucky company is going to hire you eventually.

“Good!”

Not as good as “Great,” but it gets the job done.

TL;DR: Job searches are tough, but stay positive. You’ll find something eventually.

This post was originally published on the AptoZen blog. See the original post here. Learn more about AptoZen.