Posts Tagged ‘Job Search’

Researchers say that it takes on average ten meetings to generate information about an actual job…

When I first met “Ken”, he was working in health care, and wanted to explore a different work environment where he would be more intellectually challenged and have increased opportunities to work collaboratively with colleagues.

Prior to his contacting me, Ken had half-heartedly investigated options by talking with a few people. He gave up after a couple of months because he didn’t hear of a specific job vacancy to which he might apply.

He came to me discouraged and not particularly hopeful about his prospects for a change. Being convinced that he had only scratched the surface of possibilities during his last attempt at a job search, I suggested that he think of this time as a new beginning, since it would involve new and effective strategies rather than a continuation of unsuccessful ones.

He seemed open and encouraged by this idea and we began to identify next steps. It helped that Ken was clear about his job criteria, his competencies and his priorities. With these factors in mind, he identified key questions to ask people as he explored a new professional setting and was prepared for their questions about what he wanted.

Relying solely on professional introductions made for him by friends and colleagues (as opposed to making “cold calls”), Ken found it easier this time around to meet with people in positions or settings that interested him. He began to develop a list of employers that met his criteria which made him more hopeful and motivated. We both felt that we could take a break from our work, since Ken seemed to have mastered the art of networking.

Fast forward six months later to my phone call from Ken last week…

Ken happily reported to me that several of his contacts had been in touch with him weeks after he’d met with them. He’d had two job interviews and just this week he’d received an actual job offer as well information about a position that was likely to develop in a month or two. He hoped to give his notice next month and was delighted by new prospects that sprung up unexpectedly.

Take away tip: Don’t give up on your job search because the results aren’t happening in your desired timeframe.

One of the most difficult times in a job search is when you are waiting for some type of response from a prospective employer. Often there’s nothing left for you to do but wait and that can be frustrating and keep you on pins and needles. Are you finding yourself in any of these scenarios?

- You’ve done your research on a position, submitted your materials on time and expect to hear in a timely manner from the prospective employer–but don’t.

- You’ve had an interview that you think went well, only to be kept waiting for any type of follow up communication.

- Worse still…You actually receive a job offer, present a counter-offer and are left wondering for over a week to hear if your conditions have been accepted.

If you can relate to any of these examples, you are not alone! These days, the job search, more than ever, requires patience and positive resolve.

If you are in a situation where you are left waiting for a response, try these four tips that may make the wait more tolerable:

1. Don’t jump to conclusions and make up a negative story about what’s happening. Stay with the facts that you know and resist any assumptions or conclusions that are hypothetical. (Such as “I didn’t get the job.” or “Guess I blew it.”
2. Ask yourself if there is anything else you can do to prompt a reply (short of making a nuisance of yourself).

3. Inquire about the time frame of the search process. While the time frame can change at any point, at least you might get an idea about what to expect.

4. Shift the focus of this job outcome to something that’s in your control, such as: researching another prospective job or organization, attending a job search support group (like the Unemployed Professionals Groups that are organized through many Career Centers throughout the country).

5. Check in with a friend or colleague for support.

From vacations to being understaffed, there are many reasons why you are not hearing from the prospective employer. Wait until you know the real reason before you get too disheartened and give up on that option.