After looking for a job for well over a year, John finally got a real live job offer – and accepted. As a true testament to endurance (and willingness to go with the flow), he had been interviewing for this particular job for about FOUR MONTHS! And he even had to do a stint as a consultant first before the owner of the company asked John to join the firm.
John has been a regular contributor to this blog’s comments forums on 5 Ways Interviewers Make Job Seekers REALLY Angry and Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview. Now he would like to offer some hard-won advice to job seekers everywhere running their own job search obstacle courses.
Here’s what John wants you to know to help you not only survive what seems like a never-ending race, but stay in it long enough to emerge with a big job win!
- Don’t get down on yourself. You WILL get a job. It’s the uncertainty that can mess with your psyche. And being down on yourself comes across in interviews.
- Opportunities occur when you least expect them to. Be open. Look at jobs that might not even match your skill set exactly. (I only matched on 70% of the skills for this job.)
- Follow EVERY lead and talk to people. All kinds of people.You’d be surprised how many folks sincerely want to help. This is not the time to be shy.
- If you come up against an interviewer who does not have any interview skills, you might try what I did…initiate conversations as if the interviewer asked you a question. It is a bit unnerving when the interviewer talks less than Harpo Marx!
- At the end of the interview, ask about their process and time-frame and when you might be able to follow up. It’s not pushy – it’s professional.
- Always send a cover letter and resume. I actually had a CEO of a firm personally reach out to reject me as a candidate (my skill set wasn’t even close but I gave it a shot.) He told me because I was the only candidate to send a cover letter, had my skill set actually matched, I would have been a top candidate. (Cover letters can only do so much.
)
- If you’re still waiting, please know there are often unavoidable and unpredictable internal processes that have nothing to do with you. In my case, pressing issues arose at the firm that required immediate attention. Hiring me (as smart a decision as it eventually was) had to take a lower priority.
- Interviewing can go on for weeks and weeks. I was the top candidate half-way through the process, but still all the other candidates had to be fully interviewed to reinforce that I was the correct choice. (You would do the same for example if you bought a car. You may love one car, but you will check out other cars and dealerships same thing with a candidate.)
- A small thing like the current economic crisis can also be a huge factor in hiring and decision-making delays. As important as it is to hire new folks, keeping the business afloat takes top priority – and that even means you may have to postpone a hire you really want to do now. Don’t give up…many times, the job gets resuscitated.
- Always send thank you notes and follow up with the person. You would be amazed how a note, email or phone call restarts the process. (Be careful with phones calls though…find out first how the person prefers you to follow up by asking politely. And of course – don’t overdo the follow up!)
- Follow up with strength and confidence – yet tactfully too. That is what helped me get this job. I kept the lines of communication open, but with the attitude of “I understand your process and time frames and are mindful of them.”
- If people don’t get back to you a lot of the time, it has nothing to do with you as a candidate. Schedules change, issues arise, decision makers are out of the office, etc. It’s a waste of your energy to focus on what THEY aren’t doing – focus on what YOU can do.
- Your situation creates a yo-yo of emotions. You are NOT alone in these feelings. Please know that.
- Set daily goals for yourself whether big or small. It does make you feel better about yourself.
- And most of all…never ever say Quit!
P.S. – During your job search, you will meet true professionals who, even if they reject you, show respect. Learn from them. Stay in touch with those you connect with. But also – and probably more importantly – learn from the unprofessional ones so that when roles are reversed and you’re the hiring manager, you will know how to act gracefully and professionally.
Well…that’s it. Hope that helps. Seriously, as hard as it gets along the way, it’s worth the wait.
Best of luck!
~ John and Ronnie Ann
A bunch of job search posts that might help
~~~
7 Things NOT To Do in an Interview
18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace that Interview
The Single Most Important Thing in Any Job Interview
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job
How Do I Ace My Phone Interview?
Help! I Get Nervous When I Interview for a Job
What Should I Be Thinking During a Job Interview?
How To Tell If a Job Interview Went Well
After the Job Interview: Why Haven’t They Called Me Yet?
Stuck in the Waiting Game After 2nd Interview
12 Ways to Stay Sane After a Job Interview
I Got the Post-Interview Temporary OCD Blues
Can Weekly Follow-up Calls and Emails Help Get You the Job?
Will My Low Credit Score Ruin My Chances for a Job Offer?
5 Ways Interviewers Make Job Seekers REALLY Angry
7 Career Pros Talk Job Search 2.0
Job Search Question: What Month is Best for Job Search?
Job Search: The Simplest Job Networking Tip of All
10 Things I Look for When I Screen Resumes
7 Ways to Rev Up Your Recession Job Search
I’m glad to hear the advice on writing a cover letter. Since we are in a tough job market and often applications can be submitted without ever hearing a response back, writing cover letters can often seem like a waist of time.
It’s good to hear a success story to show that cover letters have value even in this challenging market.
Good for you, John!
These are all great tips! They echo what I’ve been hearing from knowledgeable coaches (and what I’m trying to put in practice every day myself) … but there’s just something about hearing them from a recent job-seeker that’s even more encouraging!
This is another very good article! Thanks John and Ronnie Ann!
Good call on the cover letter tip. As daunting as I find the task of writing one, I always include a cover letter. During my last job interview the hiring manager mentioned that I was the only person who included a cover letter! I also sent thank you emails to everyone I interviewed with. Didn’t get the job, though.
Although I have a job, I’ve been searching for a new one since the last century. I’m not kidding.
Anyway, it’s encouraging to know that persistence pays off.
Congrats, John. Thanks for the advice (and the vicarious thrill). Thanks to you too, Ronnie Ann.
John, my sentiments EXACTLY! Hang in there all! The economy is getting better and there ARE decent jobs out there! Follow John’s advice and see what happens!
John – First of all congratulations. Second, your advice is excellent and upbeat. Thank you for the reinforcement. Sometimes a gentle slap upside the head is a great reminder to those of us who start to doubt our ability to actually land that job. Much success.
Tips from a Guy Who Got a Job | NextUP Careers // Jun 2, 2010 at 8:28 am
[...] came across this post “15 job search tips from a guy who got a job” this morning over at workcoachcafe.com and thought it would be particularly helpful for all [...]
Finally, some job hunting tips that make sense and go a little beyond the basic.
Don’t get down on yourself. This has to be the most important thing facing those of us who have been unemployed for well over a year. We are constantly barraged by a steady stream of “you’re doing something wrong if you’ve been unemployed this long!” OR “you don’t really WANT to work” in all the media, and political circles. The thing is, in most cases it really IS NOT YOUR FAULT. Don’t let them get to you, or it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
John,
Thanks for the advice. I sometimes forget that
we are all in the same boat.
Regards,
Anthony W. Lista
Love the practical, real-world advice. I really like these points because they come from someone who has been there. In the mental trenches. means a lot to other job seekers to hear this . . .
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks everyone for the great comments and kind words. It was after all great comments from John that inspired this post to begin with.
And for all of you still looking – even those like perri who have a job and want out (been there done that!) – I wish you all the best finding a job you want! You are always welcome to stop by and just let us know how it’s going. Even if I can’t answer each and every question, I always read what you write and it helps others to know they aren’t alone.
Good luck!!
~ Ronnie Ann
The best to you both John and Ronnie Ann. The fact that you took the time and energy to do this says a lot about you. Most people would have turned their back on this and just been happy for themselves. Not knowing either of you, I am willing to guess you are two extraordinary people.
I wish you all the best in life.
Jim
Thanks so much Jim! What a lovely thing to say. Tells me so much about the kind of person you are too. John wrote most of this – and yes, he is a very special and caring person. Like you, I would guess.
I wish you all the best, Jim…now and always!
~ Ronnie Ann
Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice. I have been at this job search for nearly 3 years now.
I need the positive encouragement!
Colin
There is one question I always try to work into the interview process near the end: “Is there any question that I failed to ask that is important for this job?’
I don’t always use the exact words but I always get it in somehow. It is amazing how positive the response generally is. Almost universally they will pause and think about it for a moment before answering. Mostly I get a response something like, “No, I think you cover it all,” but sometimes it will initiate an additional conversation that will give you more insight into the company’s hiring process or work culture.
On several occasions I’ve been complimented for asking it with a comment like, “Good question…”
Best of luck,
Allen
I love that question Allen. I hadn’t thought of that one! One that I ask that I’ve gotten great response to is “what 3 things are you looking for this person to achieve in this position?”
Thank you all for sharing your wonderful comments and thoughts. This site is turning into my favorite place to go! Thank you Ronnie Ann for starting this.
Best to all,
Sandie
Allen, this would’ve a good question to include in a thank you email I sent today. I will definitely remember to ask it in the future.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the post and the comments. Real, practical, and useful advice are needed in this competitive job market and stressful economic conditions. Nobody ever needed fluff, nonsense job advice sites. I compare stuff here and on Monster.com and Monster comes across as a joke now. This is the best blog/site regarding job/career advice.
Hi Colin! Almost three years? Oh man…I wish I could give you a hug. But even more…I wish I could give you a job.
Is there any way to talk someone into letting you show them what you can do on a temporary basis to start? I want so much to help you.
Please pretend I’m there challenging you to find one new contact every week. I did that for someone I know recently – even though she couldn’t think of anyone at first – and she just got an offer. In this market…sometimes a person knows a person who knows a person, etc. As John says…ask EVERYONE! Even folks you’ve asked before. There is someone out there who would be very lucky to hire you. Sometimes it’s just a matter of luck and timing. So let’s see if we can drum up some luck for you. Do you accept my challenge?
All my best!!
~ Ronnie Ann
Hi Allen! Thanks for adding so nicely to the post. Great question. Especially like what you say about initiating further conversation that helps provide you with insight into the company and people. Best kinds of questions for sure.
Hi Sandie! Another good open-ended question. Those are so much more useful and effective than questions that look for one-word answers like “yes” or “no”. And thanks so much for the kind words. I would love nothing more than to sit back and provide a place for folks to help each other. And occasionally speak up if you don’t mind.
Hi perri! Always nice to see you. Actually I think you handled your thank-you note just right. Questions like that are great, but best saved for real live conversation. Including open-ended questions in an e-mail – unless absolutely necessary – forces people with busy schedules to try to respond. Might actually annoy some folks. I think thank yous should be a pleasant reminder – not work for the receiver!
Oh Jonny! I’m touched by your words. Did my cousin pay you to say that?
Thank you so much. I try to stay real and leave room for others to share their thoughts. And if I’m wrong…call me on it. This is mostly for all of you. Oh heck…it’s for me too. Comments like yours make me feel great to know I’m helping.
I wish you all the best, Jonny – and everyone!
~ Ronnie Ann
Well, thanks very much Ronnie Ann. This is a place for like-minded, non-condescending advice forum for people waiting and waiting and waiting… oh, and waiting for job offers. Frankly, I would rather have 12 interviews per day for 4 weeks straight than have 1 interview and wait for 4 weeks. Interviews aren’t killing me here… WAITING is. ;o)
I had what I thought was a really good interview a few weeks back. I did not hear from the hiring manager so presumed that they filled the position with someone else; however, since it was a position I really thought fit me and where I thought I would really fit in well with the group I’d be working with, I decided to contact the hiring manager one last time. I sent an email to allow her to respond or not without pressure and lo and behold I actually heard from her yesterday!!! Apparently the position is not filled; they are narrowing down the candidates; she did feel I would fit in with the group and she asked me to sit tight for now. That could go either way obviously but I took it as positive and very much appreciated that she was responsive. Now we wait. We can just do the best we can and hope we get better each time we get to interview. A friend once told me “I don’t want to be a professional interviewee, I want a job.” We all echo those sentiments but as tough as it’s been for so many of us it certainly teaches us resilience.
Sandie
“Resilience”… I think Sandie brought up a very valid point. We all need to accept that the psychology of HR has changed. There no longer is a shortage of talent out there. In fact, there is an over abundance of talent out there we are all competing against. HR no longer cries for not being able to fill a position. This was the case when the economy was booming, jobs were being created left and right, and people were not looking for jobs. But this is not the case now. Realize it and accept it… the hiring process will get more frustrating; not less. And I suspect that this is a great way to eliminate impatient people among us who will show lack of patience, endurance, and professionalism. I assume some job applicants are unknowingly becoming a pest to HR with incessant emails and phone calls. People are people… you will only end up alienating and annoying them… not endearing yourself to them. Clearly, some of us are realizing that they cannot endure the torture and cannot go the distance. I also suspect that HR is becoming quite adept at becoming sadists as well. ;o) It is discouraging at times… no argument there. But you cannot turn into a crazy before HR’s and the company’s eyes either. Be confident, professional, and resilient… and keep yourself busy with the act of looking for jobs always.
Jonny: I love it. Going to have to use that in a post! “Interviews aren’t killing me here… WAITING is.” Too true.
And love what your friend said too Sandie “I don’t want to be a professional interviewee, I want a job.” Man how that nails it!
Great discussion. Thank you so much. I know it helps others to read what you said…not to mention how good it feels just to say these things “out loud”. Nice tips about not turning Looney Tunes. In the end, this is about you and what you deserve.
I wish you great luck finding jobs you love – or at least like a lot and pays the rent.
~ Ronnie Ann
Just the links | Always on Deadline // Jun 21, 2010 at 8:51 pm
[...] 15 Job-Search Tips From a Guy Who Just Got a Job (Work Coach Cafe) [...]
A post six months in the making | Always on Deadline // Jul 8, 2010 at 8:30 pm
[...] READING: 15 Job Search Tips From a Guy Who Just Got a Job [...]