Here's Why You Still Don't Have a Job
10 February 2015
Read by 11113 persons
Having trouble finding a job? Don't despair. Several factors may be involved. Here are some tips to help you readjust.
You lack visibility
To find a job, you absolutely must not be afraid to showcase your skills. You can make your expertise known through volunteer activities, but nowadays, it can also be wise to use digital tools, if you feel comfortable with them. Maintaining a specialized blog, sharing relevant information on social networks, participating in discussion forums: choose what is most likely to highlight you. When you can't find a job, the worst thing to do is remain passive.
Your networking is insufficient
It is well known: your chances are always higher of being hired in a company if you are recommended by someone who knows you. In addition, many positions are never advertised. Your only way of hearing about them is to know friends or employees of the company. Have you stayed in touch with your former work colleagues? Do you participate in networking activities? It's not by staying hidden in your living room that you will be known and recognized.
You haven't properly presented your strengths
Both in your resume and cover letter, it is essential to highlight your skills and expertise relevant to the position offered. Carefully read the job offer and focus on the specific characteristics requested for the position. Highlight the elements of your professional experience that correspond to the job requirements, as well as the achievements that demonstrate expertise useful to this job. It is better to send fewer applications, but take the time to aim accurately.
The chemistry of the meeting didn't happen
As with any type of meeting, we cannot ignore that the relational aspect involves a bit of subjectivity. Sometimes, affinities spontaneously develop between a candidate and a future employer and, conversely, it happens that this click simply does not occur. Maybe you are very competent, but your temperament is less compatible with that of your boss or with their way of working. You have to take it philosophically. What is true in one sense is true in the other. However, the better you are prepared for your interview, the better your chances of making a good first impression and sparking that connection.
A high number of candidates
Sometimes, employers receive a very high number of applications for the same position. It is possible that, although your profile is interesting, the background of other candidates is better suited to the position offered. The game is not lost, however. In general, your resume will not go into the trash. It will be included in a database for 6 months or 1 year. It is possible that you will be contacted later for another vacant position that would correspond to your skills. In the meantime, find a way to fill your gaps.
Changes have occurred in the position offered
There are cases, nevertheless quite frequent, where a position is advertised even before knowing if a budget will be allocated to it. It is therefore possible that, along the way, a posted position is abolished or modified, or even that it is first offered internally. There is no need to worry if you are not called for an interview. However, if you feel that your expertise corresponds in every way to the job offer and you have not heard back, you can take the time to call, simply to request a follow-up.
Julie Marcil.
Workopolis.com
Posted on February 10, 2015.
You lack visibility
To find a job, you absolutely must not be afraid to showcase your skills. You can make your expertise known through volunteer activities, but nowadays, it can also be wise to use digital tools, if you feel comfortable with them. Maintaining a specialized blog, sharing relevant information on social networks, participating in discussion forums: choose what is most likely to highlight you. When you can't find a job, the worst thing to do is remain passive.
Your networking is insufficient
It is well known: your chances are always higher of being hired in a company if you are recommended by someone who knows you. In addition, many positions are never advertised. Your only way of hearing about them is to know friends or employees of the company. Have you stayed in touch with your former work colleagues? Do you participate in networking activities? It's not by staying hidden in your living room that you will be known and recognized.
You haven't properly presented your strengths
Both in your resume and cover letter, it is essential to highlight your skills and expertise relevant to the position offered. Carefully read the job offer and focus on the specific characteristics requested for the position. Highlight the elements of your professional experience that correspond to the job requirements, as well as the achievements that demonstrate expertise useful to this job. It is better to send fewer applications, but take the time to aim accurately.
The chemistry of the meeting didn't happen
As with any type of meeting, we cannot ignore that the relational aspect involves a bit of subjectivity. Sometimes, affinities spontaneously develop between a candidate and a future employer and, conversely, it happens that this click simply does not occur. Maybe you are very competent, but your temperament is less compatible with that of your boss or with their way of working. You have to take it philosophically. What is true in one sense is true in the other. However, the better you are prepared for your interview, the better your chances of making a good first impression and sparking that connection.
A high number of candidates
Sometimes, employers receive a very high number of applications for the same position. It is possible that, although your profile is interesting, the background of other candidates is better suited to the position offered. The game is not lost, however. In general, your resume will not go into the trash. It will be included in a database for 6 months or 1 year. It is possible that you will be contacted later for another vacant position that would correspond to your skills. In the meantime, find a way to fill your gaps.
Changes have occurred in the position offered
There are cases, nevertheless quite frequent, where a position is advertised even before knowing if a budget will be allocated to it. It is therefore possible that, along the way, a posted position is abolished or modified, or even that it is first offered internally. There is no need to worry if you are not called for an interview. However, if you feel that your expertise corresponds in every way to the job offer and you have not heard back, you can take the time to call, simply to request a follow-up.
Julie Marcil.
Workopolis.com
Posted on February 10, 2015.
