Finding a job is a grind. And it appears to become worse the longer you work on it. Putting yourself out there and repeatedly being rejected or receiving silence can be very demoralizing.
However, you can benefit from taking a step back and questioning why you aren’t receiving the desired outcomes rather than keeping your head down and submitting another round of applications. What’s the actual problem preventing you from getting the next job? Long-term time savings come from accurately diagnosing the issue now.
Here are five reasons why you might not be employed, along with solutions listed in order of difficulty in the job search.
- Your Resume or Cover Letter Isn’t Tailored to the Job
You might repeatedly send out the same resume format and cover letter without adjusting how you portray your experience to match the job if you’ve applied to many jobs and only heard back from a small fraction of them.
Employers are searching for candidates who match the job description, and since each position likely receives hundreds of applications, they won’t take the extra time to assess your qualifications. By customizing your resume and cover letter, you must convey how you are qualified for the position to everyone reviewing your application. That entails determining the knowledge and expertise customers desire and then emphasizing it through accomplishments.
- You’re Applying to the Wrong Jobs
To ensure you are not underqualified for the positions you are pursuing, read the job description carefully and assess if you possess the necessary abilities to do the task at hand or quickly pick them up.
Most job seekers do a respectable job of ensuring they are qualified before applying for a position. However, they are less adept at being upfront about whether they are overqualified. Hiring managers do not prefer to employ someone who doesn’t have the necessary skills or qualifications. Therefore, ensure that you are pursuing the appropriate positions for your background.
- You’re Not Applying to Enough Jobs
It’s acceptable to be particularly selective about the roles you’re considering, but realize that your job search will take longer if you’re applying to a few jobs at a time.
If your circumstances prevent that, you may need to be more accepting of “stepping stone” positions, which are employment that is not exactly what you’re searching for but may one day get you there. For instance, you can apply for work that will enable you to develop the abilities you’ll need to stand out as a candidate for your ideal position.
- You’ve Focused Too Much on Interview Answers and Neglected Other Interview Skills
Don’t be the person who doesn’t say hello to the receptionist and simply speaks in brief sentences when the recruiter strikes up a conversation. Rarely is that individual hired? You should consider interviewing abilities, including empathy, small chat, eye contact, active listening, narrative, and body language. Most of these skills can be enhanced by being conscious of the need to be mindful of them and practicing. You could be halfway there just by reading this.
- You’re Not Fully Prepared for Phone Screens
Phone screens are a pretty informal way. Don’t be duped by recruiters who claim to only want to schedule a “short chat.” You should prepare for a phone screen the same way you would for a formal interview since it is an interview. Do your research even though phone screens can be brief and cover the bare minimum. Examine the business. Get ready to pitch. You should be aware of your desired salary. Be as prepared as you can.
