The Top Things To Do When You Can't Get A Job

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Figure out what you might be doing wrong, and fix it. Here's how.
clipped from www.forbes.com

Business Basics

Tara Weiss,
04.29.09, 10:16 AM EDT
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If you've been out of work for several months and aren't getting any interviews, or you're going on interviews but not getting any offers, maybe it's time to adjust your approach to job hunting.

There's no particular length of time after which the alarm bells should sound, but the general rule is, if you've sent out dozens of résumés and aren't getting any bites, or you've gone on a dozen interviews but haven't received any job offers--do something.

If you're not getting any interviews, it's time to reconsider your résumé. First, examine it to make sure it contains no spelling or grammar errors. Then have a friend or colleague check it. "You cannot succeed in this competitive market if your résumé isn't 100% accurate," says Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio, an expert at the career Web site Vault.com and former chief operating officer for Merrill Lynch Campus Recruiting.

Thanasoulis-Cerrachio recommends including a personal interest section at the bottom. Most hiring managers aren't comfortable interviewing prospective job candidates, and they're not good at it. Adding a section on your personal interests gives them a conversation starter.

"Most interviewers are just as uncomfortable as the job candidate, so they gravitate toward something they're comfortable with, like personal interests," Thanasoulis-Cerrachio says.

Include a section up top detailing your skills. It should include hard skills like knowing certain computer programs and soft skills like being a strong communicator or team player. Try to match the language used in the job ad.

Most important, though, emphasize the results you achieved in each position you held, instead of just listing job responsibilities. You become a much more compelling candidate if instead of saying you managed a team of three you say, "Managed a team of three employees who interacted with clients and had a 100% client retention rate over two years." Prospective employers also want to hear about money you saved, or new clients you brought in.

As for your cover letters, they should never be a regurgitation of your résumé. Instead, make a compelling case for why you should be hired. The introductory paragraph should state the position you're applying for. The middle few paragraphs should highlight the critical three elements of the job description, explaining why you will fit the job well. Use the hirer's language. If the job ad says the candidate needs 10 years of experience using communication skills, describe how your communication skills saved the day at a previous job.

Don't blast your résumé around like spam. Instead, conduct a focused job search, applying only for positions that you're truly qualified for. Make a list of all the companies you'd most like to work for, and use your personal network and sites like LinkedIn to find connections you have at each one. If you've got a Twitter account that you use professionally, great. If not, start one. Many human-resources professionals are on Twitter. If you can find one at a company you're interested in, start following him or her.

Retweet (Twitter lingo for forwarding) what that person has written, and comment on any interesting posts. "After a few weeks of following them, direct-message them, saying, 'I'd love to talk about your company. It's a place I've always wanted to work, and I'd love to hear about your experience there,'" says Dan Schawbel, author Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success.

Don't blast your résumé around like spam. Instead, conduct a focused job search, applying only for positions that you're truly qualified for. Make a list of all the companies you'd most like to work for, and use your personal network and sites like LinkedIn to find connections you have at each one. If you've got a Twitter account that you use professionally, great. If not, start one. Many human-resources professionals are on Twitter. If you can find one at a company you're interested in, start following him or her.

Retweet (Twitter lingo for forwarding) what that person has written, and comment on any interesting posts. "After a few weeks of following them, direct-message them, saying, 'I'd love to talk about your company. It's a place I've always wanted to work, and I'd love to hear about your experience there,'" says Dan Schawbel, author Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success.

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