| p>In today's job market, it's very easy to become | | | | rejected until you're not. It's a fact of life. We've all |
| frustrated by the lack of response to your resume or | | | | been there. It's not personal; it's just business. It is |
| application submissions. The fact is that there is | | | | unlikely that this reflects on you as a person (unless |
| about a 6:1 ratio of job applicants for each available | | | | you had an interview and you totally bombed - in that |
| position (March 2010). What does this mean? It means | | | | case, instead of focusing on the negative, learn from |
| that you have to stand out, head and shoulders, | | | | the experience, and go forward better prepared the |
| above the rest of the applicants. It means that you | | | | next time). You may have been a great fit for some |
| have to have the perfect resume and cover letter, | | | | positions - someone else may have just fit a little bit |
| tailored for each position to which you apply, that easily | | | | better. In an employer's market, this happens. When |
| shows that you have the background (or potential) for | | | | the tide changes, and it will, this will be less of an issue. |
| the position. Let's assume you have all of that, and | | | | - You don't take your job search seriously. If you're |
| you're still not getting calls. There may be some | | | | unemployed (or underemployed), your job search |
| reasons why: | | | | should be at least 30-40 hours per week - responding |
| - You have not fully grasped the reality of today's | | | | to ads (low value return, but necessary), resume and |
| market and the massive economic upheaval that is | | | | cover letter customization and work, networking, |
| occurring. All of the fancy degrees, past experience, | | | | networking, networking (did I mention "networking"?). If |
| etc. just isn't enough today. These things DO matter; | | | | you are employed and are looking for a new gig on |
| it's just that the applicant pool is full of people with | | | | the sly, at least 10-20 hours per week would be |
| these backgrounds. Thus, the competition is much | | | | appropriate. Watching daytime television and hanging |
| more stiff. Nothing in this job market will come easily. | | | | out with friends is not likely to get you a new position. |
| Some positions will come more easily than others, but | | | | Looking for a job is a job. Treat it like one. |
| they may be positions for which you feel you're | | | | What's listed above falls into the category of "bad |
| overqualified. The "gem" positions will typically take | | | | habits" for lack of a better label. These habits are very |
| much longer and be harder to get. | | | | easy to break - with focus and discipline. By getting |
| - You don't apply because you don't like to be | | | | into good habits, your position search should be that |
| rejected, and if you don't apply, you can't be rejected. | | | | much faster and more fruitful. However, that totally |
| This is circular logic, and self-fulfilling (and self-defeating) | | | | depends on you. |
| behavior. You don't know until you try. In the | | | | Copyright© 2010, by Trustworthy Coaching. All |
| marathon that is today's job search, you're going to be | | | | Rights Reserved. |