Can't Find a Job?
If you can't find a job, you need to find out why. This article was originally written by guest author Carl Mueller and later adapted for this audience by Carla Bosteder. Discover some of the most common problems, and how to avoid them!
"Why can't I find a job?"
If you have been asking yourself this question in recent months, trust me you have a lot of company.
Searching for a new job can be very frustrating and very trying, especially if you are currently out of work or if you are in a job are desperate to leave.
If you have been unable to find a job and are increasingly despondent with your lack of results, perhaps it is time to take some time to reflect on the potential reasons why this is happening.
- If you are not getting interviews: If this is the case, then likely your resume and/or your cover letter are not effective. Their job is to get your foot in the door with employers. Your resume and cover letter need to target the employer and the position you are seeking, so if they are not doing that, then you need to get them revised so that they are. Use a professional resume expert if you need to. You have to prove to the employer that you are the best person for the job. Another thing to consider is are you applying for jobs you are qualified for? If not, then you are probably just wasting your time anyway. Be realistic. Go for the jobs you have a chance of getting. In this economy, you can't just skip levels.
- If you are getting interviews but not job offers. If this is your situation, then likely, you are going to have to practice your interviewing skills more. Are you too aggressive or too passive during the job interview? Are you dressing for the job interview properly? Are you better on paper than you are in person? Get as much feedback as possible after your next interview (ask for positive and negative feedback) - or see if a previous interviewer would be willing to provide some feedback. Make improvements for future interviews by fixing your mistakes.
- Are your references hurting you? This can be a difficult one to figure out but you need to be certain that your references are speaking highly of you. Don't be afraid to contact them and ask if they have heard from any hiring managers. If so, ask them to tell you what they said. If need be, coach them as to what responses the prospective employer is expecting to hear. They honestly may not know what is expected of them. If you need to, select new references and coach them before anyone contacts them. People can be a bad reference and not mean to do so and they can cost you a job. Carefully think about who you are using as references and consider if they are helping or hurting you.
Take whatever time is necessary to be sure you are preparing properly for your job hunt. Having the right materials, being prepared and having the right references can make a big difference.
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Additional Job Interview Q&A; Info
For even more information about job interview questions and how to answer them, consider the "Job Interview Success System."
One of the 5 key components of this system is a 31-page report entitled "How to Give Job-Winning Answers to Interview Questions." In addition to giving more tips and strategies on general answering techniques, it lists 45 of the easiest, toughest, silliest and most common job interview questions as well as how to respond to them.
