The frustration surrounding our current job market makes total sense, but not for the cited reasons. I see people shake their heads and mutter about there being "no jobs out there," but that's just not true. Look at any online job board and you will see that there are open positions. So what's the problem? Why does the average person send out applications for months without any response?
The readiest explanation for that comes from a simple situational analogy. We in Southern California are very familiar with the hell that is our freeway system (and I'm sure there's a lobby out there trying to qualify traffic-induced road rage as a distinct disorder in the DSM-IV), and the mathematical equation that goes along with it is that we have more cubic feet of vehicle than we have freeway space. Hence, a ten-mile drive to work turns into the dreaded "commute". And the same is true for jobs - there are more applications per square inch of polished HR desk than ever before, so things are moving slowly. The freeways are still there, and the jobs are still there, but now it's not enough. And you as a job applicant can no longer do what you've always done.
I am going to outline a suggested process for laying the job hunt groundwork, but before I get into the technicalities, I want to appeal to you, not as an employee or a government check collector, but as a person who has or had bigger dreams than the 9-5 at minimum wage. The deadliest trap we can fall into as "practical" people is to allow the limitations of what we think is possible to affect what we want. I have seen the attitude in myself and others - the attitude that says, "Why want what you can't have?" I challenge you to ask why you can't. Maybe you only have experience as an administrative assistant and don't see how you could ever jump into education or media, but don't allow what has been to dictate what will be. There are ways, and you have the gifts and passion you do for a reason, and they are not to be wasted.
So now, assuming you've done your soul searching, cast lots, or consulted a psychic and hence have gained a better sense of career direction, you are ready to (re) create your resume. I won't go into all the glorious and dream-draining detail here, but rest assured that your resume is your first - and often only - interview and it needs to look as sharp as you would, standing in front of the interviewer in your suit. Uniformity, strong language, and readability are the keys. If you hand your resume to a friend and he or she groans, then you know you've got a problem. Don't fall into the other trap of seeing all the effort you've put into something instead of what you actually have in front of you. I always know that a person is going to be less receptive to my suggestions if he or she has worked really hard on a project. Hard workers who know they have worked hard are the worst.
The next step, after you have perfected and beautified your resume, is to write your cover letter. No application is ever complete without an explanation of who you are and why you are sending in your resume. Even if you are answering an ad on Craigslist, you still write a short email introduction about what position you are applying for and why you would be a good fit. You do, right? I have been realizing more and more the importance of the dreaded cover letter, and am now convinced that a good one is essential, especially when you may not perfectly match the job qualifications but know you could do the job itself. Remember that everything in life is negotiable, and the cover letter is your bartering tool. It sets the stage, like the summary before each act of a Shakespeare play, and if your resume is like a script with no explanation, how can your reader follow the story? Your cover letter is a chance to let an employer know that you want this job badly enough to sit down and do some research on the company and think about how specific skills you have would benefit them. Think of it as a two-way street: you spend time on me and I'll spend time on you.
Be very careful if you decide to recycle a cover letter - if you miss one detail left over from the first position you applied for, sending in your application to the second job will probably prove useless. When I write a cover letter for almost any job, I start with a new Word document and, while I do reference my basic cover letter, I re-type everything and edit along the way so that there are no mistakes and I can customize. You may think it's a waste of time to write a different letter for every application since most of us don't hear anything back 90% of the time, but as you practice it gets easier and faster. And, as I suggested in my article "The Art of War: Resumes that Win," look at several different examples so you have an idea of what's "in" and what you like. Finding bad examples is a really good idea, too, because you realize what you don't want to do while also giving yourself some confidence in being able to judge and decide for yourself what you like and don't like.
Now, when you actually do get that phone call the lucky 10% of the time, you must be ready. That includes diligence in answering your phone, even with unknown numbers. If you miss a call and the person leaves a message, call back as soon as you can (preferably within the hour). In preparation for this call - and for any phone conversation - you must work on your "phone voice" and auditory persona. Infuse your greeting with a cheerful and tastefully enthusiastic tone, speaking clearly and precisely. Do not ramble. Do not interrupt. Take a moment (not a minute) to think about your answers, and don't waste words.
I know people groan when someone mentions grammar, but it can be incredibly important, especially with a handful of rules where people make the most mistakes.
1. Know the difference between using "good" and "well". You are doing well, not good. You are never "doing good" unless you are a missionary.
2. You always return the question: "I'm doing very well - how are you?"
3. "Further" refers to a metaphorical distance or progress (we went further in the discussion), while "farther" always denotes a physical distance (we walked farther down the road). Almost no one knows this rule.
4. "Amount" v. "Number" - amount is used when you have a quantity of something that is not countable (a great amount of sand); number is used for things you can attach a countable quantity to (number of coins).
5. Please - PLEASE - learn the difference between using "me", "myself", and "I". "Me" is the receiver of something. "Him and me" NEVER do anything; "He and I" can do something. WRONG: She gave it to him and myself. You are the only one who can give yourself anything. "I" never receives anything (WRONG: She gave it to Matt and I). The classic trick is taking out the other direct object (instead of "She gave it to Matt and I," think "She gave it to I").
I have never met anyone who didn't make at least one grammar mistake, and I correct myself all the time in conversations, but you must know that the business world is comprised of the kind of people who are more educated and who do pay more attention. You will immediately and often unconsciously lower an interviewer's opinion of you if you make a very common and basic error.
Overall, remember that every point of contact - anything your say or do or send - can and will be held against you. Reviewers and employers are looking to eliminate, first and foremost. So instead of thinking of all the technicalities as inane hoops you have to jump through, think of them as a selection process that tests your ability to manage details, follow directions, and be thorough. Empower yourself by identifying your weaknesses and making a concerted effort to round out your skills and abilities while not forgetting to capitalize on your strengths. The main hurdle is actually connecting with a human on the other end of the line or computer so that you can showcase those strengths - but first you have to jump. So jump high!
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