Six Reasons Your Search Has Stalled

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If your job search has stalled, it may not be the economy or job market or the lack of new jobs in your area, profession or industry.  Entrepreneur magazine reported that companies are beginning to hire again.  Companies are hiring, but they might just not be hiring you.

 

An article in Learnvest.com, “6 Subtle Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Job Hunt,” suggests that job seekers do things, consciously or subconsciously, that can turn off a prospective employer.  Or, they don’t do the things that can help them the most.

 

You may be spending a lot of time networking, but all your efforts may be working against you.  It’s one thing to attend a networking event, work the crowd and hand out as many business cards as you can.  You may feel good at the end of the event, but how many real connections have you made?  As the article suggests, you need to make friends--not just connections--with people at your dream company or those who have some real influence with the company’s hiring managers.  Having a prominent insider pass your resume to a manager or bring up your name in a conversation is golden.  An unsolicited recommendation is even better.

 

Another self-sabotage is applying for jobs you’re not qualified for.  The best way to ruin your chances is to apply for just any job at your dream company.  What’s worse is applying for several at the same time, or in quick succession.  It makes you look desperate or careless, two impressions to avoid.  You’re wasting an opportunity and the HR manager’s time.

 

Reading the want ads and checking career sites like Nexxt are good ways to find job leads.  But you can’t overlook a more proactive approach.  Many of the best jobs are never advertised.  They get snapped up by insiders or aggressive job seekers who let employers know what they are looking for.  Those are the jobs you learn about from friendly connections you’ve been cultivating.

 

How would you answer the question, “What do you do?”  Would you recite your job title or would you have a concise, compelling 30-second synopsis of what you do and the affect it has on an organization?  A memorable “elevator speech” can make a quick impression that lasts for a long time.  Spoken with poise and confidence, elevator speeches sum up what you do and the value to an organization.

 

Sooner or later, you’ll have to answer the dreaded question, “What are your salary expectations?”  Be careful.  You can price yourself out of a job if you don’t do your homework.  There are many sources of salary information.  Do some research.  Ask around.  Be realistic.  Consider your experience, skills, the industry and the local job market.  Sure, you want the most you can get, but it’s better to be at mid- or slightly above mid-range than at the top of the scale.  You can get top dollar, but lose out on raises or upward mobility.

 

Before you apply for any job, put aside the job boards and ads and put together your elevator speech.  Figure out who you are, what you have to offer, and why you want the job.  What are your “must-haves?”  The “nice-to-haves?”   What is your bottom figure?  Work out your finances, crunch some numbers and know your true salary requirements.  No sense taking a job if you can’t pay your bills or live the life you want or one you’re willing to settle for in order to get where you want to go.  Stop putting roadblocks up between you and your next dream job and start building bridges instead.

 

Photo Source:  Freedigitalphotos.net

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  • Cy F B
    Cy F B
    Quite informative to say the least.  Good key points and something ones needs to think about in the interview.Not many people are informed as to the HR point of view.  It's a like ability factor with employers.
  • Laura C
    Laura C
    Great information I will keep this info and remember it.
  • Thomas N
    Thomas N
    Very well written article Mary!The job market and how we approach it has certainly changed over the years.Great information - just proves that you're never too old to learn!
  • Donna J
    Donna J
    I am over-50 and have been looking for office work.  Temp agencies pay is very low, but I do it to get access to prospective employers.  So far, this isn't working.  I have had interviews and I have over 20 yrs exp. but it may be my age  that is keeping me out.
  • Pierre K
    Pierre K
    This article has given me an insight to what my problem might actually be in locating my next job.
  • james h
    james h
    How do you know when people are giving you bad references.
  • Jeffrey D
    Jeffrey D
    Good article, "very" accurate on many point's.  As usual very helpful!
  • Ferah K
    Ferah K
    I understand article for certain jobs but my other experience is company is hiring time they like to doing their commercial same time. It made feel they not really looking for employe they are try to sell what they are doing in business.
  • Lovetta S
    Lovetta S
    I totally concur with this synopsis, I never go for top dollar when they can hire someone cheaper. I appreciate the info.
  • Lourdes R
    Lourdes R
    Very helpful information.
  • Phyllis V
    Phyllis V
    Helpful. I'll save in my favorites.
  • Michael D
    Michael D
    I've never used an elevator speech, but it sounds promising. A well articulated "elevator speech", should tell the hiring person, more about you, then anything else.
  • JacquelineS
    JacquelineS
    Great tips Mary.  This is very useful information which I will implement immediately.  Keep up the great writing that you do.
  • S.J. J
    S.J. J
    Having an elevator speech prepared about yourself shows confidence in who you are and where you want to go. Great advice, indeed.
  • yasmine g
    yasmine g
    I thought this article was very insightful, the information was well addressed. Definitely gives me something to think about when I move forward with applying for a position.
  • Jacqueline G
    Jacqueline G
    Thank you for sending this e-mail to me. It is very informative and I learned a lot from it.    Thank you again
  • Michele C
    Michele C
    Great article!
  • Jerry F
    Jerry F
    This article helped my,i never thought of some of the comments.Thanks
  • Rodney T
    Rodney T
    This was very insightful. I guess I commited all of the above.
  • Michael S
    Michael S
    I think that if my job search stalls it'll be due to Obamacare and employers not wanting to be involved with all of it. But article was informative.
  • Dan J
    Dan J
    Good article, very helpful
  • Lloyd C
    Lloyd C
    I really do think that this will help alot of us get the jobs we need
  • Weldon W
    Weldon W
    Actually I agree with  this article and others I have read. Networking with friends and other that you know can very often connect the job  seeker with someone that can help identify the best job solutions. I always have to take a little time once in a while to stop and think about the best of strategies. Sometimes my own wisdom can actually save me.
  • Leslie H
    Leslie H
    I found this information extremely helpful, especially tip # 2.  I usually apply to several at the same time within the company.I won't be doing that any more.  Thanks
  • William K
    William K
    Dropping out of the job market completely 2 1/2 - 3 years ago to "RETIRE" after 47 years of working great jobs - this was made obvious by me.  Now wanting to get back in the job market for a limited time being 67 years old. I'm sure you've heard of Age Discrimination regardless of how qualified you are.   This runs heavy all over the market place. These comments noted herein by me carry more weight than all the comments you/ve noted together herein.
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