The job search process can be quite a challenge especially if it's taking a little longer than a job seeker expects.  A long job search can make any job seeker feel literally stuck in a rut.  Here are few questions you should (and shouldn't) ask yourself to help you find the solution to your job search dilemmas.

Let's first start with the bad news.  The bad news is that asking yourself questions like…

Why won't anyone give me a job?
Why did he/she get that job and not me?
Why is this job search taking so long?
Why wasn't I born rich/with the right connections?

…is not going to help you solve your job search challenges. The more likely scenario is that the above questions will only increase your frustration because they are not going to lead to productive problem solving.

But the following questions may help you get to the root of job search problems you're facing:

1.    What would motivate someone to give me job leads?

2.    Where can I go to network with companies that might be hiring?

3.    What did (fill in the blank) do to get that great position?

4.    What did I do right to land my last job?

 A job seeker can add to this list by examining a problem and formulating a "solution generating" question.  For example, if a job seeker is having difficulty receiving response from his/her resume, the questions to ask might be:

1.    What can I do to make my resume more appealing?

2.    Where can I get help creating a more effective resume?

After formulating questions to help solve job search problems, a job seeker should brainstorm answers to those questions.  Don't limit the answers to the conventional and "practical."  The answer process requires that the job seeker think creatively.  Try to list at least 10 possible answers for each question.  Don't be afraid of "silly" solutions because often it is those solutions that work the best.