#lookingforwork is rough at any time, but today's job market is flooded with incredible candidates from first quarter layoffs, all vying for the same positions. It can be both sobering and exhausting.
Things I have learned from my most recent foray into the brutal job market:
• Rejection letters can be disheartening. They can make you second guess your value and your qualifications, even if you KNOW you are good at what you do. Cut yourself some slack. There are a lot of really qualified candidates applying, and most companies are looking for the closest matches to the list of qualifications they believe they need. That may or may not equate to the perfect candidate for the job, but it does match to the closest resume match to their listed qualifications.
• #recruiters and #hiringmanagers have the difficult, time-consuming, and often thankless task of filtering through countless resumes, often with very qualified candidates, in order to find the most attractive fit for the roles their organization is trying to fill. In many cases, this effort is on top of their other duties and responsibilities. That said, do them a favor and make your resume and LinkedIn profile as concise and easy to read as possible (yes, I know, I need to take my own advice. I am working on it). They often have a LOT of resumes to filter through for any given position they are trying to fill.
• Job hunting is hard and is, in essence, a job in and of itself (just not one you get paid for). Just like any job, taking breaks is important. The sense of urgency we feel when we don't have a source of income is overwhelming and stressful. An essential part of stress management is knowing when to step away for a bit, and regroup. This helps reduce mistakes and maintain focus, when you are looking for a role that is actually a good fit for you.
• Job interviews are a two-way street. In my life, I have often fallen into the trap of going to an interview trying to convince the organization to hire me because being out of work sucks. This can lead to a role that is not necessarily a good fit for you for one reason or another, just to secure an income. That's a great reason of course, but it may not be a great strategy for longevity. The goal is to find a role you are actually happy with, so that you don't dread getting up to go to work, and you can focus on being the absolute best at what you do. With that in mind, remember that the interview process isn't just to see if you are a good fit for the company, but also deciding if the company is a good fit for YOU. Know your worth, ask pertinent questions, and approach the process with the goal of finding an environment you can thrive in.
• #networking is KEY. The professionals in your network can help you in countless ways. Many of your contacts have skills, experience and contacts to help you! Be open to help and open to suggestions.
Happy Hunting! You've got this!
#opentowork #opentonewconnections
Senior Compliance Analyst, Compliance Anaylst, Administrative Professional
3wI agree!