The job market in many industries is extremely tough right now, especially IT/Technology, Sales/Marketing, and a variety of clerical and office positions too lengthy to list. When I do my daily LinkedIn scrolling, I consistently see posts by people who have been struggling, often for many months, to find a job.
I understand the frustration people experience applying for untold numbers of job postings, having dozens of interviews that result in silence or the polite 'thanks but no thanks' email. It can be emotionally exhausting. If you've applied to hundreds of jobs and gotten no response or have had dozens of interviews, and you're still unemployed, there are really only 4 reasons why:
- Your resume and outreach did not stand out.
- You are applying for positions that you are not qualified for (lack of experience, lack of credentials, lack of required education, not living in the right area, etc.).
- You didn't preform well in the interview process.
- You have not set realistic expectations.
On a regular basis, I read posts where people express that for a year or more they've applied to X jobs, had X interviews, and still have not found work. Many of these people are not looking for solutions, just a desire to vent and hope that others in the same boat will chime in to commiserate. I empathize, but a potential employer may not. Keep your venting to in-person conversations and off LinkedIn / social media.
Some things to consider:
- Desperation is a huge turnoff to a potential employer.
- There is a lot to be said about positivity. (fake it 'til you make it)
- Instead of negative posts, be positive and about your best attributes and qualities or something good that happened today.
Your resume is typically the first impression that a potential employer has of you. It doesn't need to be fancy, but it does need to be clean, organized, express all your strengths and experience, and show how those qualifications will be a fit for the job you've applied for.
Cover letters are fine if they're no more than an impactful short paragraph or two highlighting your strengths and fit for the job.
Because most employers are getting hundreds of resumes for every posted position, and many of those resumes are garbage (fraudulent, fake, or completely unqualified), make sure you're following up your application by reaching out to someone in the company—ideally a recruiter or the person who will likely manage the role you've applied for. A simple Google or LinkedIn search should help you find a name.
Recently, I've heard success stories from people who have actually mailed (snail mail) a copy of their resume or tried other unusual tactics to get noticed in a sea of applicants.
Over the years, I've taken the time to try to gently assist people when they express frustration that they "can't get hired," but unfortunately, the advice typically goes unheeded.
If you've made it to the interview stage, but you've still not landed a position, consider the following:
- How are you presenting yourself in the interview process?
- Do you know your strengths, and are you confident enough to highlight them?
- Do you take the time to look professional during video interviews (attire, background, etc.)?
- Are you able to stick to the Q&A during the interview and make good use of the time you have without going down unnecessary rabbit holes?
- Do you have good energy? Are you positive and upbeat? It's not just your skills that make you a fit for the position; the employer will also be evaluating how you'll fit in with their team.
- Are you asking the right questions? Did you prepare for the interview by reviewing the company website and looking at the profile of the person interviewing you so you can ask thoughtful questions?
- Are you following up after the interview?
- Did you send a "Thank you for your time" email reiterating the reasons why you're the right fit?
- Did you remember to ask about next steps at the end of the interview?
- Did you call or email if you didn't hear back from the person who interviewed you in a timely fashion?
- Did you pay attention?
- I honestly cannot count how many times I've painstakingly explained the specifics about a job only to have the candidate ask me five minutes later about something I had just explained clearly.
- Are you taking notes? If not, please do. When you're interviewing for multiple jobs, it's nearly impossible not to confuse information.
- Never, under any circumstances, ask questions like, "What company is this again?" or "What position is this again?"
If you've spent many months, applied to many jobs, sat through many interviews, and still have not gotten an offer, it may be you.
It might be a good idea to consider taking the following steps:
- Reach out to people you've worked with and have them tell you what they felt was your most valuable asset, then add that information to your resume.
- Get your resume retooled so it stands out.
- Find an interview coach who can help you hone your interview skills, both over the phone and via video.
- Make lifestyle changes to help you get into a better headspace. Looking for a job can be incredibly stressful. Find a way to be good to yourself.
- Market yourself to EVERYONE—prior coworkers, family, friends. Let everyone know that you're looking and ask them to keep their eyes open for potential job opportunities.
- Set realistic expectations. If you were making $100K in your previous job and you've been laid off for 18 months, but you refuse to accept a position that pays less, maybe it's time to consider what is really important. If you can't find a job in your previous industry, maybe it's time to pivot.
The reality is that today's job market is challenging, but it isn't impossible. While there are certainly factors outside of your control, there are also many that are within it. The most successful job seekers are often the ones who are willing to honestly evaluate their approach, adapt when necessary, and continuously improve how they market themselves. If you're not getting the results you want, don't just keep doing the same thing and hope for a different outcome. Make adjustments, seek feedback, refine your strategy, and keep moving forward. Persistence matters, but persistence combined with self-awareness is what ultimately gets results.
