I've had a pretty fortuitous last few weeks -- I've been lucky enough to have a number of interviews, and the majority of them are still pending (a few even look decent).
I know I've talked before about having a positive attitude, but I really can't stress that enough. While I send out resumes one or two days a week, I do my job search (using my efficient system) every day. I realized, while I was performing my search today, that -- even with all the rejections and comical obstacles I've encountered -- I'm still overly positive. I see jobs and I immediately think, "Oh, I could do that!" or "Oh, I'd like to do that!"
And, even though the logical part of my brain says I won't even be considered for the vast majority of the positions (I'm averaging about one interview (phone or face-to-face) for every 19 resumes I send out -- a little less than two per week); I'm still struck by the fact that I continue to be extremely positive. It's quite the unusual twist for me; I'm not normally known as being positive, in general; let alone when logic indicates that the odds of a positive outcome are quite remote.
I know this sound quite Pollyanna. I know not everyone in my position has the same outlook (and, in some cases, with reason) -- I've been blessed with a great number of interviews, and each week, there's a plethora of jobs I *can* look at and say, "Oh, I could do that!" It's definitely a little easier when one job rejects you and there's 20 more to apply to. But, with that in mind, the question becomes -- am I positive because there's jobs? Or, are there jobs, because I'm positive?
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I think the question you should be asking yourself is more " Why am I not being selected for employment for all those job interviews?" You attract the interview with your resume since you have been to many but, what happens at the interview that doesn't take you to the goal line. I'm amazed that you can find that many jobs to apply to. Hope this objective advice helps.
I believe you are positive because you know there is a position out there for you. You have a lot of opportunities to look at. Is there an issue in your career field? Meaning you send out 20 resumes a week for the past year which is over 1000 resumes, cover letters, thank you notes, etc., but is there a reason that there are so many job openings at your level, ie; senior writer/editor, director of communication. I know that you are good at what you do, but I wonder if the demand for your talents is becoming so specialized as to make many obsolete. Have you heard any rumors of others getting the positions you have gotten rejection letters from? We talked about one that had been listed for several months, without being filled, and even though it was not a match for you, was the position ever filled. Are companies listing jobs to appease a board of directors or a company mandate while having an underpaid employee do the actual job with pay or title in an effort to save money? Which would sadly mean that you are applying for positions they have no intention of filling. There are some I know you could track very easily online, but that does not help your situation. It may show a reason why some of your resumes never get responded to and why some of your interviews have not been fruitful. Other than that, keep a positive outlook, I have every bit of faith that there is a job out there that you will fit perfectly into.
@Anonymous - obviously, I ask myself that question every day; but that's not part of how I keep myself positive :)
I'm really not sure why I don't get the job -- and, as I've commented before, it's not like any hiring managers are sharing the reasons with me.
One of the things I think is that, unfortunately, my pedigree isn't as impressive - not my body of work; I have won awards for my work... but, people look at the companies I work for - typically smaller companies, and they're not as 'impressive' as if I'd worked for Citigroup or AIG or Chase or IBM.
In fact, one hiring manager *did* tell me, they were looking for someone who came from a more 'prestigious' background: CNN, Time Warner, etc. They weren't concerned with experience, per se. The kicker is, in a smaller company, I probably experienced much more than the assistant vice chair deputy of a larger company.
@Charlie - I hope you're right ;) I *do* think there's been more activity lately, as companies see the economy slowly sputtering back to life, and they look at the colleagues they've effectively pecked away at for two years and realize, "wait a minute, these people could all walk out if I don't do something." The past few months, I've seen an uptick in internal communications/employee engagement specifically, which is nice to see.
But, at my level, I think, no company wants to make a rush decision, and that's why some of these positions just take so long to fill...
Just a consideration, although you want to stay positive (which I commend you for), you must look at the situation more realistically. If your past experience has been with smaller companies maybe that's the size of company you should be targeting just to be employed for now. And, when the economy improves then you can move up to the big boys. (If that is the true problem) I would advise you to have someone critique you on your interviewing style because it is possible it has nothing to do with your experience. It could be mannerisms, how you handle the questions, physical appearance, the fact that these firms are just going through the process but, in reality already have chosen someone (from wherever)they want to hire and now they going through this artifical required procedure. Etc. Etc. Also, just wondering, don't you show the companies you worked for on your resume? If you do, then that can't be the reason because they wouldn't be calling you for the interview in the first place. I offer this advice with the intention to have you analyze the actual interview. Good luck in your future search.
@Anonymous -- you're giving the companies way too much credit :) My example (of the company looking for different background companies) actually did happen; and - of course - they saw my resume.
I've had people comment on my interview style; they say it's fine. If it's my physical appearance, there's not a whole lot I can do about that (I mean, I go in a suit, I look professional and presentable) - I'm talking about if they want someone younger, more handsome - and, believe me, that discrimination exists (although, no one will ever admit it, wisely).
I rethink the interview each time. For the most part, when I *do* get feedback, what I get is "we wanted someone who had worked in our industry before." Most of the jobs I apply for are internal communications-focused; which means "people." But, nevertheless, these companies want someone who has worked in their field.
So, that means distribution ... although, not really; as I've applied to distributors, and they say, "we really want someone who has distributed WHAT we distribute." Okay, so that means WINDOW distributors - and, there's ONE of those -- the company I used to work for :)
Like I said, dwelling on why, when there's no real concrete information, is just an exercise in futility and uber-depressing. So, I elect to re-think the interview; determine if I'd done anything where *I* noticed a change in the mood; and then, move on. In the end, I think it's more important to maintain the positive attitude, which is my advantage.
I equate it to The Price is Right -- at the beginning of the show, four contestants are called down. One gets the right answer. Another is called to replace her, and so on. At the end of the show, more often than not, of the four remaining, some/most of them have been there the whole time.
There is no "law of averages" when it comes to jobseeking -- I know people who have quit jobs on a Thursday and found another by the following Wednesday. I know others who have been out of work for three-plus years. I know some who have had more interviews than I have; and I know others who have one interview and land the job.
I can't count on a philosophy of "something is bound to happen," so, it's more important I maintain a positive outlook. Right this second, there are 8 jobs I'm waiting to hear from, and as far as I'm concerned, every one of them would be foolish to not offer me the job! :)
I'm flabbergasted, perhaps you are overselling yourself. When you are in an interview, do you do most of the talking? If so, try more listening. The companies do not feel you are a match for some reason and that's the truth of why you are not being hired.
You have several options at this point:
1. You either just keep doing what you are doing now. (there is a saying ....you are.....if you keep doing the same thing, you can expect the same result)
2. You modify your approach to the interview.
3. You apply to different types of jobs which align you with a more sucessful outcome/match.
4. Try a different career.
Staying positive is a good beginning but, it takes more to land the job. :-) Good luck.
Post a Comment