Put Plan B into Action

Feeling Stuck in Your Job Search? It Might Be Time for a Plan B.

A fresh strategy for when your job search feels stuck. Plan B is about using short-term opportunities to help you regain energy, income, and clarity.

If your job search has dragged on for months and the silence or rejections are wearing you down, please know you’re not alone. Many job seekers hit this wall. When that happens, it might be time to activate what I call “Plan B.”

Plan B doesn’t mean giving up on your goals. It’s a strategic pause. It’s a way to regain momentum, confidence, and structure while still keeping your long-term career in sight.

Taking a temporary or alternative job can help you:

• Break the cycle of rejection or waiting
• Rebuild your daily rhythm and sense of purpose
• Earn income and reconnect with your professional value

Sometimes, just doing something changes everything.

How Do You Choose A “Plan B” Job

First, you will need to sit down in a quiet place and brainstorm all the things you love, LOVE, to do.  Do not filter out things that might seem unrealistic, silly, or “I can’t make money doing this”. 

If this is difficult, it should be. Keep going. 

• What did you enjoy doing when you were younger?
• What was your favorite job ever?
• What did you dream of doing if money were no object?

Find An Ally

Once you’ve brainstormed, enlist the help of a true friend.  Someone you trust. Someone who will not shut your ideas down (A spouse might not be the best person to use at this time in the process, unless your spouse is very open-minded and incredibly supportive.) Ask them to:

• Help you identify ways you could get a job in these areas.
• Brainstorm related opportunities. 
• Think of anyone they know in these areas.
• Recommend or introduce you to a business owner they know. (Any business. Ask if you can talk to that person about getting some help.)

AI can also be of help. Your prompt may ask it to help you identify potential hourly jobs or temporary work that would be similar to X or would allow you to do Y.

Try one small experiment this week. Volunteer for an event, offer to help a local business, or shadow someone doing work you admire.

Finding Plan B Jobs: It’s All About People, Not Portals

Securing a “Plan B” job can take as much time as a real job. Start today trying to line one up.  Don’t send a resume or fill out an application. Call on the phone or stop by in person. Explain why you want to work there.

It may sound something like:

I eat at your restaurant pretty regularly and really enjoy the people who work here and the customers who come here.  I love your food and know that I could do a great job representing you.  There’s a little extra time in my day and I would like to be doing something worthwhile and make a little money. Is their a shift you might need some help with?

Be sincere. Be specific. And don’t get discouraged if they say no. Timing is everything. Keep showing up, keep asking, and keep connecting.

Facebook Groups and communities can also be helpful sources of information.

Plan B Job Ideas

Here are some Plan B job opportunities that are seasonal:

SUMMER

• Landscaping (mowing, raking, yard maintenance)
• Golf courses are gearing up their hiring
• Restaurants
• Garden centers
• Parks and recreation programs
• Summer youth programs/camps need help
• House painting and outdoor maintenance

FALL/WINTER

The holiday season brings a surge in short-term jobs and they can be a great way to earn extra income, meet new people, and rebuild momentum in your job search.
Consider opportunities like:

• Retail stores (stocking shelves, gift wrapping, cashiering, or customer support)
• Delivery services (packages, groceries, or meal delivery)
• Event venues (holiday parties, weddings, community gatherings)
• Restaurants and cafés (extra help for catering or busy dining hours)
• Hotels and resorts (front desk, housekeeping, or guest services during travel season)
• Nonprofits and community organizations (holiday fundraisers or seasonal drives)
• Winter recreation (ski resorts, skating rinks, or indoor sports facilities)

Here are some other Plan B job options that are usually hiring:

• Call center work (customer service, fundraising)
• Office cleaning companies
• Hotel/motel positions
• Temporary work through agencies

These jobs may not be your long-term dream, but they can get you engaged and active again. And that momentum? It’s powerful.

Employers value reliability, enthusiasm, and follow-through. Show them that’s who you are.

Action To Take

What’s one small step you can take this week to get unstuck, even if it’s not your dream job yet?

One Last Thought

If you’re skeptical, that’s okay. Plan B isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about rebuilding your confidence and creating space for new opportunities to find you.

Sometimes, the path to your next great job starts somewhere unexpected.