By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
When you leave college, there are thousands of people out there with the same degree you have; when you get a job, there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living. But you are the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. — Anna Quindlen
My current services are designed to help people find their next role more quickly than they might otherwise. Whether it is the information I freely share here or elsewhere, the video courses, books and guides I offer inexpensively, the podcast I continue to deliver (launched in November 2010, No BS Job Search Advice Radio has more than 3000 episodes), my YouTube channel, the course presentations I do, or the coaching I continue to do, people need help with finding work and succeeding at it.
People need help. The layoff notices are still coming through the feed. I encourage you to do something simple. Share their posts to your feed without expectation. Share mine for the information may help someone turn a corner and help them land. Subscribe if you haven’t already. Click the like button. Comment. Do things to help others in need of finding work.
How to Be an MVP Spouse During a Job Search
Although I’ve never been unemployed, I’ve listened to many people who are. Job searches can shake even the most confident professionals. If your wife/husband/partner is in the thick of one, you aren’t a bystander — you’re their teammate. Often, you feel like a player on a losing sports team. You take on the feelings of the player and feel defeated, too. You want to help, but being supportive is more than just saying, “You’ve got this.”
Here are five ways to show up for your partner during their job search:
1. Be Their Mirror, Not Their Fixer
Instead of jumping in with advice, reflect back what you hear. Say things like, “It sounds like you felt dejected after that interview,” rather than, “You should’ve said X instead.” Listening builds trust. Listen more. Talk less. Uninvited coaching can break the trust. Trust me on this one!
2. Respect the Grind, Even If It Seems Invisible
A job search isn’t just sending resumes. It’s networking, rejection, updating materials, researching, interviewing — often without tangible wins. Acknowledge the effort even if the results haven’t landed yet.
3. Don’t Let Their Identity Get Hijacked
Unemployment or career transition can make people feel like they’ve lost status or purpose. Gently remind them that who they are isn’t what they do. Reinforce the qualities that made you proud of them before the title.
4. Run Interference With Family or Friends
Well-meaning relatives may ask awkward questions like, “Still no job?” or offer unhelpful advice. Be the buffer. Change the subject. Shield them from micro-shames that chip away at their confidence. The worst question well-meaning people ask is, “How’s it going?” If they don’t volunteer information, it isn’t going well . . . yet or they may be afraid to jinx it.
5. Celebrate Small Wins Loudly
Got a call back? A solid networking meeting? Celebrate. Job searching is a marathon of uncertainty. Make progress visible and reward momentum — it fuels endurance.
Supporting someone during a job search isn’t about doing the work for them — it’s about showing up in ways that help them stay whole while they do it. Their struggles affect you, but affect them even more.
Love them. They need that, particularly when they may feel unlovable.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025
I released new content this past week that included:
Do You Think They Should Hire for Potential? They Don’t Agree https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lF5
How Much Are You Looking For? Defer and Deflect https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hlD
Expanding Your Outreach: Why Bother? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n0a
How Much Are You Looking For? Version 2 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2Gj
Listing All Those Temp or Consulting Assignments https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nF
How to Job Search When You Lack Connections https://youtu.be/VxdkxDGpons
Nonlinear Careers and Seeking Permission https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gay
How Much Are You Looking For? Version 3 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-739
Updating Your LinkedIn Profile? Think Like a Recruiter AND the Algorithm https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lGE
The Top 10 Things To Do When Times Get Tough to Land A Job https://wp.me/p4aIk1-d73
How To Ace A Job Interview https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jR9
Another Annoying Job Search Mistake https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2CZ
Encouragement vs Discouragement https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fyP
A Bird in the Hand . . . https://youtu.be/jOwjDGYP_tg
If You’re Between Jobs https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lzt
Experienced Workers https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mZo
Severance Packages https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lBS
Another Stupid Resume Mistake https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3fH
Your Unemployment Is About to Run Out! https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f4W
Would You Pay for a Class on How to Find a Job? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fy5
Make It Easy https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f9H
Why Marketing Is the Key to a Successful Job Search https://youtu.be/Dg4zAL-zhLw
Veterans or Soon to Be Veterans: Have You Considered This Option? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2kp
No BS Career Advice May 25, 2025 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n0E
How to Leverage Transferable Skills https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n0d
Need a Job? That’s Why You Can’t Get One https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n0L
When To Schedule Your Next Interview https://wp.me/p4aIk1-J0
2 Huge Final Interview Blunders https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ev7
Networking When a You Leave the Military https://wp.me/p4aIk1-AB
Why Are You Making So Much Money? https://youtu.be/rjXDl8VAmAg
Resume, LinkedIn, or Cover Letter? Use Right! https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n0y
Use ChatGPT to Write a Killer Cover Letter https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n13
Will You Leave for More Money? Say THIS! https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n18
Finding More People on LinkedIn https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ON
How to Build a Personal Brand and Influence on LinkedIn https://wp.me/p4aIk1-l1H
A Cute Salary Negotiation Tip https://youtu.be/EBWCDbH8Mx4
You may also want to read, “Behind the Curtain: A white-collar bloodbath” or the summary of it I shared in my blog
The skills needed to find a job are different from those needed to do a job. You may be great at what you do, but job hunting, especially during difficult times is very different than being a good employee.
Become an Insider at JobSearch.Community at any level and you’ll receive access to all my video courses, books and guides plus the ability to ask me questions and/or be coached by me so that you don ‘t have to figure out what to do and how to respond.
Join me as an Insider at JobSearch.Community for advice about your job search and coaching from me (on Insider+, Insider Premium, Insider 30, Insider 60 or The Insider Bundle). You can also schedule a free discovery call with me to evaluate me as a coach.
Share this. Subscribe if you haven’t already. Click the like button. Comment. Do things to help others in need of finding work.
Jeff Altman
The Big Game Hunter*
www.JobSearch.Community
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2007
PS Are you a recruiter or with a search firm with people you cannot help? Message me for information about becoming an affiliate at JobSearch.Community and earn 20% on 4 of the services.
