The Reason Your Job Search Isn't Working Is Not What You Think
How do I get employers interested? I'm finding companies are hiring more junior people in roles that I'd like to do. – Corporate Communications
I have applied for jobs at my current title and have not even received an interview. One of my top companies has posted an assistant opening, which is a big step down. Should I still apply? – Higher Education
I'm hitting the glass ceiling. How do you know whether to keep working on it or look elsewhere? – Life Sciences
All of these questions come from job seekers not getting results in their search and assuming one particular reason. For Corporate Communications, the reason is employers preferring younger candidates. For Higher Education, it's that they have been applying to the wrong-level job. For Life Sciences, it's the glass ceiling.
These aren't unreasonable hypotheses. The glass ceiling does exist in some places, you do need to apply for jobs that fit (this includes the right level of job, as well as other factors), and employers will have their preferences (and sometimes that's not you). But what if you're wrong?
The Reason Your Job Search Isn't Working Is Never Just One Thing
There are multiple reasons why a candidate gets hired (or doesn't), so there are multiple reasons why your job search works (or doesn't). For example, if you submit a resume and don't get called in, it could be that your resume needs improvement, or it was submitted after a shortlist was already determined, or it was never considered because the company doesn't actually look at unsolicited resumes and only takes referrals. If you're getting interviews but not moving forward, it could be that you're not selling yourself compellingly enough, or other candidates interviewed better, or the job is different than its posting (which happens quite frequently) and you need to better uncover what the employer really wants.
Focusing On One Issue Prevents You From Improving Your Overall Job Search
If you fixate on one issue, you neglect other areas of the job search. Work on your resume, but also work on nurturing a strong professional network, in case resumes aren't reviewed or referrals are prioritized. Work on your interview technique, but also do your research so you can speak to the key issues your target companies are facing, regardless of how informative the job posting is. Work on generating multiple leads and juggling multiple live openings at a time because you may be a strong candidate and still be bested by other strong candidates or be in process for a job that changes in scope, gets farmed out internally or to a freelancer instead of hired for, or gets cancelled for some other reason unrelated to you.
Focusing On The Wrong Issue Can Lead You Down The Wrong Career Path
If you pick a discouraging, intractable issue to fixate on (e.g., glass ceiling, preference for junior candidates), you might convince yourself to aim lower than you'd like (like this experienced professional considering an internship). Or you aim for roles or industries you're not as passionate about, or give up your job search entirely. Even if you manage to press on, you might show up with a chip on your shoulder when you interview or network. You may think you're fine, but the people you interact with, especially experienced interviewers, may sense even the slightest negativity.
Keep An Open Mind When Troubleshooting Your Job Search
Instead of looking for the one, the real, the most important reason why you're not getting the job search results you want, think of as many potential reasons as possible. This isn't to burrow into the negative, but rather to show yourself that there are many roads to improvement. Use this troubleshooting list to build your job search to-do list, so that you tackle your job search from multiple fronts – resume, LinkedIn, networking, interviewing. Shore up weak spots, build on strengths and keep things interesting enough that you stay motivated and persevere.
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