In today’s tough job market, many job seekers feel frustrated and angry because they cannot secure a job as quickly as they’d like. This desperation can tempt them to beg employers to take a chance on them. However, this is not the smartest job-hunting strategy. It’s akin to a boy begging a girl to go out with him because no one else wants to. While this approach might work eventually, most of the time, it will leave you lonely.

The same goes for job hunting. By begging and displaying desperation, you are essentially telling potential employers that:

• No one else wants you;
• You lack self-confidence;
• You might be a complainer (especially if you go on a rant during an interview or on social media).

As I wrote in one of my previous articles, ‘The Secret Psychology to Make You Stand Out in the Job Interview,’ likability trumps ability. Do you really think that desperation makes you more likable as a candidate?

Read more on this here: How to Stand Out from the Crowd and Win the Job

Put Yourself in the Hiring Manager’s Shoes

If you want to be successful in your job search, you first need to understand what hiring managers are looking for. The challenge is that hiring managers sometimes don’t know exactly what they want, so job adverts or interview questions may be misleading. But here’s the secret: they are always looking for someone who:

• Can do the job
• Wants to do the job
• Will fit well into the team and the company culture.

You also need to understand that hiring the wrong person can be costly for the employer (up to 2x your yearly salary) and can jeopardize the job of the person who hired you by negatively impacting their targets.

Applying for a job also means being compared to everyone else who applied. So, put yourself in the employer’s shoes: If you received over 500 applications for that job, would you hire yourself?

Reframe Your Perspective

To become an attractive candidate, you need to realize this: No one owes you a living; you have to earn it.

I know this line might cost me a few subscribers because it doesn’t resonate with the widespread sense of entitlement nowadays, but understanding it will massively help you.

If you haven’t clicked the ‘unsubscribe’ button yet, try this:

1. List all your strengths and successes from your past career.
2. Read the list out loud.
3. Reread the list every day and amend it as needed.

Doing so and eventually memorizing the list will:

• Help you overcome desperation, realize your true value, and regain confidence.
• Provide a solid basis for answering interview questions naturally and with ease, positioning yourself as the right candidate for the role every time.
• Help you target your job search and aim for the jobs that are the best fit for you.

Read more here: Navigate Your Job Hunt with Confidence to Attract the Best Opportunities (Plus a Free Resilience Worksheet)

The Real Reason Why You Can’t Get a Job

Lastly, you should realize that the reasons why you cannot find a job can be many, and in most cases, they have nothing to do with you personally or any evil capitalist conspiracy. Most of the time, the reasons are simple:

• Maybe your resume is not showcasing your qualities properly and just needs a tweak.
  • Read here: 5 Easy Tweaks for Maximum Resume Impact (Plus a Free Professional Resume Template)
• Maybe you are applying to jobs with too much competition or where you are not the most ideal candidate.
  • Read here: How to Craft a Winning Job Search Strategy
• Maybe you’re too nervous and cannot perform well during interviews.
  • Read here: Feeling Nervous at a Job Interview? Here’s What to Do (Plus a Free Autogenic Training Aid)
• Maybe you have mispriced yourself, whether by asking for too high or too low a salary. This can shut the door to the opportunity just when you’re getting close.
  • Read here: Secure a Higher Pay: How to Negotiate Your Job Offer

Although these may seem like no-brainers, many people often overlook the basics. There’s no reason to get desperate—just get a bit of advice, make sure you cover all these aspects, and you will see miracles happen.

Conclusion

Even with the right mindset and attitude, it may still take a while to find a job. Hiring managers are also people and can make mistakes. So, hang in there!

If you want to speed up your job search, here’s some more advice: Why Your Job Search is Taking So Long—and How to Speed It Up

Get Your Free Resilience Tools Worksheet

Resilience is a crucial trait for navigating the job search journey. It empowers individuals to confront obstacles, seek solutions, and persevere in their efforts to secure employment. To support you in developing and strengthening your resilience, I’ve created a comprehensive worksheet featuring three powerful tools. These tools are designed to enhance your ability to bounce back from setbacks, maintain motivation, and overcome challenges throughout your job search.

By downloading the Resilience Tools Worksheet, you’ll gain access to practical exercises and strategies that will equip you with the resilience needed to thrive in the competitive job market. Click here to download your free copy of the Resilience Tools Worksheet and start building the resilience skills essential for your job search success.

Good luck!

You may also like:

• Mastering Job Interview Questions (Plus a Free Cheat Sheet)
• How to Craft a Winning Job Search Strategy
• Harness the Power of AI in Your Job Search II. (Plus 10 Best ChatGPT Prompts)

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Do you need my personal assistance? Simply send me your resume and a link to your LinkedIn profile at vaclav@getyourdreamjob.co and I will come back to you!