People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for circumstances they want, and, if they cannot find them, make them.

-George Bernard Shaw

Experts have predicted the American economy may fall into such dire straits it might become impossible for anyone to obtain a loan. The time may come when everything needs to be paid for in cash. Imagine if the situation became so dire that the few jobs available didn’t even pay well. Or that even those professions known for bringing in six figures or more saw their incomes cut significantly. Imagine if people across the land rode bicycles because they couldn’t afford their cars anymore, and the roads went left in disrepair. And your country was at war.

How bad does this sound to you? While some may be suggesting this is where our economy is headed, the fact is this is already happening in many places around the world.

One of the largest mistakes people make when thinking about their job search is failing to maintain their perspective. People do not realize how many opportunities there are in the market, how much they are capable of, and how much they can personally achieve. They fail to factor in their own potential.

You may not realize this, but, regardless of the sort of job you are seeking, you can find it. There are probably lots of people out there who think otherwise. You may think otherwise. However, it is important to remember and believe in your personal potential.

Despite your current situation, no matter how dire it may seem, you are literally surrounded by a smorgasbord of opportunities. If you are not taking advantage of them, you are missing out. Sometimes you have to seek out the opportunities or create them yourself. Being able to do this is crucial, and can make all the difference in your quest for success.

Let me share with you some of the opportunities that exist of which you may be unaware. In sharing each of these opportunities with you, I also want you to understand the only thing preventing you from taking advantage of these opportunities is your perspective.

Consider the following career advice:

-There are opportunities with employers with whom you’ve already interviewed;

-There are opportunities with employers you’ve worked with in the past;

-There are opportunities with co-workers with whom you’ve worked in the past;

-You can apply for jobs for which you are under qualified;

-You can apply for jobs for which you are overqualified;

-You can apply for jobs that are in cities, states, or countries other than where you are now;

-You can send your résumé to employers to whom you have already sent your résumé in the past;

-You can send your résumé to employers who are not hiring in your city, just to see what happens;

-You can send your résumé to employers who are not hiring all over your state, just to see what happens (you can use EmploymentAuthority to do this);

-You can cold-call employers all over your city to see if they have work;

-You can ask friends if they know of any openings;

-You can visit the website of every employer in the United States to see if they have jobs (you can use Hound to do this);

-You can visit the websites of every employer and every job site in the country, and apply to the jobs that match your interests (you can use EmploymentCrossing to do this);

-You can apply for jobs all weekend;

-You can reapply for jobs all weekend;

-You can read about how to be a better interviewer in your spare time;

-You can practice your interview skills with an employer or loved one;

-You can research how to write good cover letters;

-You can get your résumé professionally written (you can use RésuméApple to do this);

-You can meditate about the best ways to get a job, and visualize securing your perfect job;

-You can ask your grocer, doctor, and others if they know of any job openings.

When you shift your perspective, you will see opportunities you might otherwise have missed. When you keep your mind open, you become aware of all the potential that exists. You will see the world is wide open for you, no matter what the experts might say.