Employment Advice Column: The Hardest Part Of The Job Search – R E J E C T I O N!

Dear Joanna,

I hate looking for work. Unfortunately, I’ve been laid off just before the holiday season and have to start the whole job search again. It’s painful. I’ve reached out for help from the Reena job coach team. I’m curious to know what other job seekers are experiencing when looking for work.  I’m wondering if I am overreacting plus I’m afraid of giving up all together.

Signed: Frustrated job seeker (FJS)

Dear Frustrated,

I share your feelings and you can be assured that tons of people are going through the same frustrations and fears as you have expressed with the job search. Based on my work as a job coach as well as feedback from our employment team, the hardest part of the job hunt is that most people are afraid of rejection; and many others are afraid of the first interview. Remember, all you need is one good job offer and you can move forward with your future.

Graham (2021) presents several challenging areas of the job search with ways to overcome them in her blog https://www.forbes.com/sites/dawngraham/2021/03/07/the-hardest-part-of-the-job-search-and-the-secret-to-get-beyond-it/. Below I will discuss five of the most difficult parts from my experiences as well as the solutions:

1. Be focused: You need to stand out in the job search. Firstly it’s important that you very specific about the type of job / job title(s) that you are qualified for and interest in. Then you target specific job opportunities and those companies where you wish to work and are hiring for your targeted roles. Research the companies on their website, through social media especially LinkedIn and sometimes even a job fair helps. Outcome: A list of at least 15 – 20 companies to target.
2. Be patient:This isn’t a quick process, but neither is completing 100 applications only to potentially get two interviews. However, this is an effective  Once you have your list of companies, begin to engage your network, LinkedIn and online research to learn who the decision-makers are within these organizations. You may need to begin with peripheral connections (e.g., in adjacent departments, different geographies or even external vendors or past employees), which can help you learn more about the organization and expand your circle of connections related to it. Be genuine, curious and generous. Outcome: A broader professional  network in connection with your target.
3. Not every lead will turn into a job opportunity or job offer. When someone helps you with your job search, even in a small way, it’s important to show your appreciation because you never know who can help introduce you to your next boss. A thank you email, an appreciation and/or holiday card, a recommendation on Linkedin,  or even an invitation for a cup of coffee can go along way. This is about building relationships.  When you view networking as a long-term strategy in your professional journey, you create opportunities for a lifetime, not just a job in the moment. Even if you’re focused on a specific job search currently, recognize this will be one of many more searches, so treat your connections well. Outcome: Mutually beneficial relationships with decision-makers and contacts in your field.
4. Be resilient: Since networking is part art and part science, there’s no foolproof formula that works 100% of the time. Humans are complex, and even with the best planning, it’s possible to have poor timing or a bad day. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll miss opportunities. You won’t build a relationship with everyone, but track your progress, learn lessons and improve over time. The best networkers develop a strategy, and then are able to flex in response to the ongoing dynamics of the interaction. If you can learn to listen and tap into nonverbal cues, you’ll be able to respond in the moment and shift to meet the needs of the other person. That’s, in part, what building relationships is about. It takes two people, and those individuals come with their own values, interests and assumptions.Outcome: The more you practice, the more attuned you’ll become.
5. Be open:Be flexible with your targeted job search. Clarity comes through action, so recognize that while you have a clear career target, sometimes unexpected, yet related, opportunities emerge along the way. Consider these possibilities, as they might be exactly what you’ve been looking for all along. Outcome: Find meaningful work that aligns with your strengths, interests and values.

Good luck and don’t give up!

Joanna

To submit your challenges, concerns, questions and comments regarding this column and/or your job search IN CONFIDENCE, please email Joanna Samuels, Employment Resource Supervisor, Reena – jsamuels@reena.org