Do any of these sound familiar?
“I applied to a job I’d be perfect for, but I haven’t heard back!”
“I’ve applied to a ton of jobs online, but haven’t gotten any interviews!”
“I did great in that interview – why didn’t I get a call back?”
If they do, you are not alone.
No matter how hard you try to avoid it, you will likely face the daunting job search at some point in your career – often through no fault of your own. With the new age of ever-changing and evolving company landscapes, the likelihood of staying with one company your entire career is about that of your favorite athlete sticking with one team for theirs. It’s possible, however unlikely.
That said, there are steps you can take to enhance your chances of success.
1.) Realize that many others are applying to the same job you are. Stand out! It’s a process of elimination and survival of the fittest, and the folks in human resources simply do not have the chance to call or invite in all 1,000 people who applied. They have a system to weed out resumes that do not feature the exact specifications they are looking for. No offense, but you won’t make the cut for every job – not even the ones that sound perfect for you to you. Make a video resume. Make your resume sparkle with actual numbers and results so a potential employer reads it and says, “Hey, I want them working for me!” No resume will get to every decision-maker, but you can increase your odds right out of the gates by being ahead of the curve. Send “thank you’s” every single time. Follow up after a handful of days to reiterate your interest. Be the best one in all areas and you give yourself the best shot.
2.) Rather than leave your fate in the hands of the HR system’s shredders, focus on networking with those who actually make the final decisions. Not all jobs are posted, and not all decision-makers see your resume; in this day and age, with mediums like LinkedIn or with referrals in the company you are targeting or with networking events, you can actually connect with the powers that be. Do not leave your destiny up to anyone other than the person calling the shots – that’s the one you want to dazzle. And don’t go straight for the sale of getting an interview; request a meeting or call whereby you can gain advice on where you could fit in their business. If they like you after this respectful approach, it could very well become the interview you seek.
3.) Play the numbers’ game. Far too often, I’ve heard folks say, “I applied to three jobs but haven’t heard anything!” No kidding! Your odds of landing a job – specifically one you applied for online – could be roughly 1 in 1,000 or worse. That isn’t meant to sound discouraging; it’s meant to convince you to do everything you can to up your probability of landing one. Apply to as many as you can, with the best resume possible and with the best networking mechanisms at your disposal.
4.) Be patient. You will likely get interviews or offers for jobs you do not want. If it isn’t what you want to be doing for the foreseeable future, don’t commit to it. Taking a massive hit to your income now when you could keep searching and find the right fit will just wind you right back at the beginning. Trust me; I’ve never compromised in my search and I’ve always been rewarded for following the right process.
5.) Do not discriminate against any potential opportunities or methods of applying to jobs. If you restrict your search to strictly one online career board, you are missing out on so many others. A simple online search will yield multiple other ways to search. Furthermore, just because a job does not necessarily pique your interest up front doesn’t mean that further investigation of that role or company or the people you can meet will not bear later fruit. Check out everything: if it’s not a way to improve yourself, move on. But it very well could be.
The job search can be a time of reassessing our career and finding something we can really sink our teeth into. When we struggle in the search is when we lose sight of the aforementioned process that works – do not let anything deter you from making the right moves so you land in the right place.
*****************************************************************************************
Carson V. Heady has written a sales/leadership book within a gripping business conspiracy novel entitled “Birth of a Salesman” with a unique spin that shows you proven sales principles designed to birth in you the top producer you were born to be.
If you would like to strengthen your sales, leadership and career skills, go to http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICRVMI2/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_yGXKtb0G28TWF
The Life and Times of Carson V. Heady 
This is simply great.. Thank you
Great tips sir, specially here in Spain with 27% unemployment, they come in handy. Have to work more on it that´s for sure.