Make The Job Search About You, Not Them

I know people need to work, so the job search is required for many. But, when you do not get a response to your job application, please consider that it is not about you, it is about “them.” Have you applied for a job only to see the announcement cancelled? Have you applied for a job, gotten a turn-down letter, and then seen the exact same job 6, 9, or 12 months later with the same job description? Have you been told you are underqualified, or overqualified, or that you have a gap in your work history, or that “they” cannot “see” you in this kind of role? This has all happened to me.

When it happens to you, I urge you to realize that the resume may not matter. Very often, the hiring officials are looking for a fit with their team, or a match with their idea of who should fill the position. So often, that affects the decision, and the fit issue is their problem.

I tell everyone who I mentor, everyone I discuss this with, to stay on the path that you’ve decided for yourself. Be who you are and do what you do. If that’s not good enough, there’s probably a different place you should be.

My best advice is this:

• Determine Who You Are
• Always Be Who You Are
• Define Your Desired Destination
• Determine The Path to the Destination
• Stay on the Path
• Remind Yourself!

Want to talk about it? Let me know.