It may appear to you, if you have been searching for a job for quite some time, that the wait between first interviews and a possible call back takes forever. In an economy where jobs aren’t as plentiful as in the past, one may experience frustration when several resumes are sent out with little to no response. On the other hand, you could also have interviews scheduled throughout the week, only to see each end with, “We’ll call you.”

It could take weeks for that call to come, if at all. What do you do in the meantime?

Where there exists a market with few available positions, ultimately you’ll find more candidates than openings. As a job hunter, you have the unenviable task of presenting yourself as the top choice, and you work hard to impress human resources managers and hiring staff. You dress well, come prepared to the interview with resume in hand and answer all the questions. You show a genuine interest and passion for the position, but now you must wait to see if they are interested in you. It’s enough to discourage one from searching for work altogether.

Above all else, maintain a positive attitude as you wait. If you project a lengthy dry spell between interviews it may do good to relax and take the time to draw away from the anxiety. Think of a hobby or activity you enjoy – yoga, reading, cycling, etc. – and use some of your free time to absorb yourself in that. Who knows, you may decide to take a yoga class and meet a contact who leads you to another job interview. Referrals for work come from all sorts of places.

Considering volunteer work in the interim as well, even if only for a short time. Libraries, churches, and local social networks are usually in need of short-term help to assist with events and small tasks. Giving even a few hours a week can raise your spirits and boost your resume – larger companies with community involvement will be impressed to see you’ve done volunteer work.

Use this time, too, to sharpen your skills. If you are looking for Internet-related work, research new trends in your desired field. Experiment with new programs or sign up for one-day or weekend seminars to keep your mind sharp. If you are called back for a second interview, it will help to bring new information to the table so the employer knows you are ready to improve as an employee.

By staying busy and positive during lulls between interviews, you can strengthen your confidence, and connections and skills. Never let dead ends on job leads discourage you from finding the position you want.