This is a guest blog post by Sharon Hamersley.
Let’s just say this first: job search can be frustrating, exhausting, and at times demoralizing. It is hard to keep up a positive attitude in the face of so many challenges. But, your situation can become even more of a “downer” if you are not willing to adapt to the current realities of the job market.
Case in point – a recent letter to the editor in the Columbus Dispatch. The writer gives many reasons why (one assumes) they have not been able to find a job:
1.” If one is not proficient on the computer, it is very difficult to seek employment. Face-to-face contact with a business rarely results in being hired. “
This is “attitude” number one: my current skills should suffice to conduct a job search. I don’t want to bother getting additional training so that I can use the current tools and resources to apply to jobs. My question is: why would an employer want to hire someone who has little interest in improving their skills? Job requirements change over time and employers need people who can adapt to changed circumstances.
2. “The application with all of the information on it is not sufficient; one also must submit a resume that contains much of the same information as the application. “
“Attitude” number two: I should be able to determine how much information the employer really needs. My question here is: if you are not willing to “go the extra mile” during the application process, what might that say about your willingness to go “above and beyond” if hired?
3. “Applicants will be asked to agree to submit to personal background checks, credit reports and drug testing. “
“Attitude” number three: I don’t want anyone prying around in my personal life. There is an element of truth here – the employment process has, in my opinion, gotten fairly intrusive, mostly as a means of lawsuit defense. But, the flip side of that is another question: what have you got to hide? Yes we all have made mistakes at some point but hopefully in the far distant past or if more recent, we have learned from them.
4. “Some companies will interview numerous applicants over weeks at a time for sometimes just one position, so one’s chances of being hired are very unlikely. “
“Attitude” number four: why should I bother even going to an interview if the chances of getting the job are so low? I have several questions here: how are you preparing for the interview so that you stand out? Can you explain how you would help them do what they do better? Or are you expecting them to hire you just because you need a job?
The letter writer was clearly frustrated and demoralized. And I don’t want to sound like I’m “blaming the victim.” But in order to be successful, the job seeker needs to look at what they can do to address the barriers that make finding work a challenge. If I could sit down with the writer I would ask them whether they were willing to make a change in themselves in order to find work. I don’t know what the answer is, but I suspect it might be “No”:
• “Those who are unsatisfied with their current jobs should be thankful they have one. If a person is considering changing employment, he would be wise to remain where he is. The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. “
What barriers to job search have you discovered in your own thinking and how have you addressed them?
Thanks martinak15 for the photo via Flickr.
