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I didn't get the job!
So, you went through the whole process and received a letter telling you that you weren't hired. Time to give up, call it quits and move under a bridge somewhere right? Wrong. It is time to re-examine everything. Look at your cover letter, resume and application again. Is there any way to improve these? If the answer is no, what about the interview? Were you pleased with how it went? Did you know enough about the company that you were trying to get hired on with? Did you look at their website if they have one? If there are things that they mention on the website, that means that they are usually proud of those facts. Know them. If it is a position where the laws come into play, know them. I don't mean that you have to apply for a police job and know the statute book. What I am saying is if you are applying for an auditors position in a state job the the state legislature has enacted laws of what the department or division is responsible for, did you study the laws?
I'll give you an example. If you are looking to be an auditor or liaison for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, did you check the statutes to see what they do?
Did you really apply yourself and do all that you could to get the job?
If you did and you are comfortable with the effort that you put forth, you can always try to contact someone that was involved in your interview and ask for any help or pointers. I was always willing to help people out when they would contact me. If the response is "we hired someone that was better qualified," then you know what you are up against. If they tell you that you scored to low on the interview because of a lack of knowledge than you will know that you need to study more before your next go around in the process.
You know where to go for help learning about a job. Websites and other information online as well as talking with people that already do the same type of job. Get prepared and do your best.
The reality is a tough economy can change all of our job prospects
You can be very qualified for a particular job and still not get it. In a tough economy, it is even more difficult as common sense would dictate. That is no reason to give up. You may have to go for a job that you really don't want until things improve. That is the truth of a economic downturn. Don't lose your sights on the big picture though. Even if you end up in a job that you wouldn't usually take, in tough times, no job may be beneath you and your abilities. No future employer should look down on anyone taking a job to get by in bad times. They should look at the job that you do for any employer. When things get better, and they will, it will be to your advantage that they see a do whatever it takes kind of man or woman. It would be very easy to explain to an employer that you became a summer lawn maintenance worker for a small town when jobs were hard to find. Why? You wanted to work, you wanted to provide and you were doing anything that you could to help fulfill your financial obligations and to get by in the worst of times.
From 6 to 500. Too many applicants for too few jobs
Job fairs for teachers used to be an exciting time. Throughout most of the nation, teachers were in such high demand that most college students were hired before they even
graduated. Typically, wherever they got their internship at, was where they were offered a job. I know a recruiter in North Carolina that used to complain that they would hold a state wide job fair and he would get 6 or 7 applicants to fill over 40 positions because he was in a poorer rural area and few wanted to teach there. Now, they have less positions and received over 500 job applicants to fill them. Sounds like a great situation for the school right? Well, it is, but they still try to figure out who will stay with them for 25 years and not move on as soon as they get the chance. It is very disruptive for the students when
teachers leave and it is very costly to the schools too. Would you make that commitment for a job now? How would you impress upon them that you might stay? Think about it because in almost any job, it is still a big thing. Employee retention is cost effective and makes everyone's job easier. All job recruiters know that things will be different again and the labor pool will shrink. It is a matter of time.
Getting a job can be a numbers game. Don't give up!!
The more professional cover letters, resumes and applications you send out, the more chances you have for an interview. The more interviews, the better odds of being picked for the job. Don't give up no matter what. Constantly re-evaluate your situation and your employment documents as well as your interview abilities. It will happen, you will find a job. Remember, getting a job in tough times is a job. Treat it as such. Spend eight hours a day on it. Treat it for what it is. One of the most important things that you can do for yourself and/or your family. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE! You can adapt and overcome and if you stick to it, you will. Strive to do better, make goals, reach them, take pride in yourself! I am a big advocate of positive thinking because it is that kind of thought process that move you in the right direction!
Follow the lead of Colonel Sanders
When he was 40 years old, he had a service station in a town called Corbin Kentucky. He eventually moved to a restaurant and hotel. The hotel could seat 140 plus people. When interstate 75 was built, it took a lot of his business away. He could have given up but instead he started to visit possible franchisee's for his business using $ 105 from his first social security check to fund the visits. This was 1955 and he was 65 years old. As the story goes, he was rejected 1,009 times! In 1964, he sold the KFC United States operation for $ 2,000,000 and held on to the Canadian operation. He knew it was a numbers game. The Colonel wouldn't quit and neither should you!
Good luck in your job search and I sincerely wish you the best of luck! I hope this website helps you in your search for the job that will give you some hope and peace!
Maybe you had no chance at the job!!
The reality is that there are jobs out there that you and I will never have a chance at. Why? Because the job is already filled by the time you even applied. It happened to me and it will probably happen to you. I'll give you an example. I interviewed for a police position about 13 years ago. They had to advertise, they had to interview anyone that met or exceeded their qualifications and they had to hire someone. I knew at the interview that the job was never available and they were just doing the required process. I'll tell you how I knew in a little bit. They picked a guy with a lot less experience and very limited training. I came to find out the he was dating the city managers daughter at the time of the hiring process. I knew in the interview that the job was filled. A lot of time, the best person for the job isn't going to get it no matter what. That is the harsh reality of the job search. As for how I knew, if the interviewer starts to tell you that you scored well, your portfolio was amazing and he or she is certain that you will get hired or get a job somewhere "no matter what happens with this job." You probably don't have a shot. The reality is that you did a great job and they were impressed. They don't have to tell you this information, they could end the interview with a simple "we will let you know". The reality is the interviewer in this situation typically has to to hire someone else and feels some guilt that politics, nepotism or other pressure has prevented them from hiring the best person for the job. I even had one interview for a job where I could tell that the two interviewers were impressed. I got the "you will get hired" speech. Later, when I didn't get the job but I got a job with the same employer, just a different department, I was told that I didn't get the original job because the boss had to hire a current employee in that division or the employee would make the bosses life a living hell. It wasn't right, nor was it fair. It shows a lack of management ability but the bottom line is that you might be the best person for the job. Yet for some positions, you have no chance. It just stinks that you have to take time to go through the process. Take heart though, your job is out there.
Jobs are usually won or lost at the job interview! Practice interview. Critique your job interview. Here's how
Ok, unless you didn't have a chance at the job in the first place, you probably lost the job to someone that interviewed better. The interview is the most important step of the job process of course. Let's think about your interview questions and answers. Did you answer any of the them with just a few words? I was helping a young lady that was having trouble with the interview and had gone on over 30 of them without getting a job or in some cases, a call for the second interview. We started going over the questions that she was typically asked and it was discovered that some of her answers were just a few words. For instance, she was asked if she preferred working nights or days. Her answer "I have no preference." She was asked if transportation to different job site s would be a problem. Her answer "no, I don't think so." She was asked if she could work holidays and weekends and her response was "no problem at all." Doesn't sound to bad huh? Well how about we lay this our in a Q and A and see if this works better for the interview:
Q Do you prefer working nights or days?
A. I have no preference
How about- I have worked both day shifts and night shifts in the past and I really don't enjoy working one over the other. Whatever the company needs, I will be there.
Q. You will be working at different sites. Will transportation be a problem?
A. No, I don't think so
How about- I have a reliable car and keep it well maintained. If there were a problem, I have friends that live close by that would allow me to use their car if I needed to...so no, I don't foresee transportation being a problem no matter where the site is that I would be needed at.
Q. Can you work holidays and weekends?
A. No problem at all.
How about- I have worked many weekends and holidays in the past. My family understands that it is a necessary part of the job. I am a team player and will do what I need to do to help this company reach its goals and serve its customers.
After each interview, jot down the questions that you can remember, as well as the way you answered them. Critique you job interview performance with others. Family members, friends, co-workers. Whoever can help you do better. You will improve with every interview and gain more confidence.
Having trouble getting a job? What can I do to up my chances? Why can't I get a job? When will I find a job?
These are all questions that any job applicant can ask at one time or another. It is even worse in tough economic times.
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