Solving the puzzle …

Searching for a new job is one of the hardest things you can do. If all you needed for success were hard work and dedication, you would have already been hired.

In equation form, a successful job search is the sum of:  Knowing what you want and don’t want to do, skills, experience, attitude, opportunity, hard work, a good resume, a tailored cover letter, networking, prepared and practiced interview skills, and research.

Even if you do all of those things well, sometimes it seems like nothing is going to work, and you apply for every job you think is a good fit. You research the organization, submit a great cover letter, and apply, and you don’t even get an interview. Or you get an interview, and you are told you are their second choice. You want to scream.

There is an extra element, you might call luck. Being in the right place at the right time, there are also external factors such as the effects of the economy, uncertainty about what we are experiencing right now because of Donald Trump, and the effects of labour supply and demand. However, there are ways even around these things.

Don’t give up. I have been where you are. I have been frustrated, angry, scared, and hopeless. When your job search isn’t working, focus on what you are doing, get help (get good help), take a deep breath, and start again. Remember, though, do not try to do 100 things all at once; remember one step at a time.

Understand that some things are outside your control. Sometimes, the employer already had someone else in mind for the job you thought was perfect for you. Sometimes, someone else is better prepared than you are, as difficult as this is, often it is true. Sometimes, the employer doesn’t see or appreciate your value; fortunately, for these last two points, you can do something about this for the next time.

Reassess each element of your job search plan, starting with the type of work you want. Maybe the roles you’re applying for are too narrow or oversaturated. The law of supply and demand is constantly affecting your job search. Remember, to stand out, you have to find ways to show your value to prospective employers. Look for related jobs that use similar skills. Consider taking an interim job that may be an additional step towards your goal, which will make your skills more attractive in the long run.

Expand Your Geographic Search. I know transportation can be a significant issue for many job seekers, especially for those looking for work in rural communities. Consider ways that you may be able to travel a little further to open opportunities for you.

Critically review and refresh your resume and cover letter. Ensure you are customizingyour resume and cover letter for each job using keywords from job descriptions and reshuffling your skills to match what the employer is seeking. Even small tweaks can improve your visibility in applicant tracking systems (ATS). Too few applicants use cover letters, and it is a simple way to increase your ability to stand out. Take a moment to contact an employer and ask for the name and proper spelling of the person in charge of hiring.

Track your applications, follow up on each application, and conduct an interview. You will not bother an employer if you respectfully follow up each application with an email 5-7 days after you apply. Use the contact information you obtained when applying. Keep track of every application, contact information, and follow-up. If they choose someone else, take the time to congratulate them on finding someone, but say that if they don’t work out, you would be very interested in talking with them again. Also, ask for their advice on what you could do differently if given the opportunity. A simple piece of paper or spreadsheet (better) will allow you to stay organized.

Seek a Second (or Third) Opinion to ask what is missing. Job searching should not be a solitary task. Getting help is important; getting the right help for you is vital. There are many people tasked with helping job seekers, some are “for-profit” and many are for “not-for-profit,” however, each person is different; they have strengths and weaknesses. When what you are doing isn’t working or you feel the person helping doesn’t have your priorities as their priorities, see who else might be a better fit for you.

Always be upgrading your skills. Learning is a lifelong necessity. While you are looking for work, take courses. Your local library is a great place to begin. Searching online for useful and free courses has never been easier. Micro-credentials are courses you can take to upgrade yourself, and these should be listed on your resume.

Your resume is a reflection of you. It should be a living document that grows and evolves as you do. One or two pages is preferred; remember this document is an advertisement for your prospective employers and should reflect how your skills meet their needs. Appreciate your transferrable skills and never forget to include all of your skills because everything is relevant. Reorder those skills to reflect the specific job you are applying for.

Do in-person drop-offs. I call this “cold calls” and knocking on doors and asking about current and upcoming opportunities with planning, respectfulness, and persistence will dramatically improve your employment chances.Many organizations don’t post jobs online or rely on “word of mouth.”  If you have been unsuccessful so far, appreciating that only 20-30% of jobs are advertised, adding this “tool” to your job search toolbox will make a significant difference.

Volunteer. Donating some of your time builds skills, fills resume gaps, can often lead to job referrals, and helps with networking. Additionally, helping other people when you have time available makes your community stronger.

Network. Attend local networking events, join community groups, utilize tools such as LinkedIn, and sign up for free classes at your local Adult Learning Centre or library. Provide value to them and increase the number of people who know that you are looking for opportunities.

Leverage LinkedIn. Take the time to learn how to optimize your profile, connect with local business owners, and post about your job search. You’d be surprised how often this leads to a message or opportunity. My current position was the result of my providing value on LinkedIn that was noticed and acted upon.

Use other social media as well. Successful job searches happen when you are more visible and when you stand out. Use YouTube, ChatGPT, and every tool available to learn how to provide value and network.Increasingly, though, also learn about how to spot fraud and phishing scams because they are out there.

Try temp or contract. I work on short-term contracts, and they can offer great experiences and opportunities to build skills and “pay your bills.” Take the time to learn about the pros and cons of this type of working relationship.

Get a referral. I am a firm believer in references and referrals. In small rural or urban communities, listing your references on your resume can get you an interview because of the nature of these smaller communities, which reduces risk for employers. LinkedIn recommendations can also make a large difference for job seekers. Also, ask past coworkers, teachers, or even family if they can refer you directly to a hiring manager.

Build yourself a website or portfolio. Creating your own website, LinkedIn Profile, or YouTube channel has never been easier. Showcasing your portfolio using links on your resume will expand your ability to “stand out.”

Practice Interview Skills Intensively. If you’re getting interviews but no offers, work with your advisor (or a friend) to refine your answers, body language, and confidence. Too often, people successfully get interviews but fail because they fail to prepare and fail to answer interview questions from the perspective of solving the employer’s problems. Frame all your answers to show you have the skills they have said they wanted and connect all of your answers around this theme.

Being told you are overqualified. This common statement made by unsuccessful applicants is the direct result of failing to focus on the needs of the employer. Instead of telling an employer all of the wonderful skills you have, when they ask, “Tell me about yourself,” tell them about the skills you have that they are seeking, which will demonstrate you are the best person for their job regardless of what other skills you have.

Consider remote work. Remote jobs in customer support, virtual assistance, or other online roles may allow you to work from home in an international workplace and bypass some or all of the local supply and demand issues in your community.

Take care of yourself. Being persistent is important; however, so is rest. Stay mentally and physically healthy with routines, breaks, and activities that remind you of your worth outside of employment. Working on a job search is work; it can be frustrating at times; however, creating a plan and implementing it will eventually work. This will help during those difficult times when you feel like giving up.

Apply for jobs. While seemingly obvious, to many people it is not. Many people wait until the “perfect” opportunity happens and often miss out on stepping-stone opportunities that will meet their short-term and medium-term goals. Also, don’t rely on waiting for one employer to get back to you; continue to apply for as many jobs as you can until you have a firm offer.

Finding a job is like solving a puzzle; very rarely is the solution obvious at first. It can also be extremely frustrating and discouraging; but persistence, resilience, and preparation will make finding a solution much easier. I have been where you are, and if you work hard, never give up, try new ways and new combinations, you are going to solve the puzzle and you are going to succeed.

Good luck,

Paul.