I am struggling with a hit in confidence.

34 Comments

1. Elizabeth WestDecember 2,2023 at 3:02PM UTC

   I'd find a person whose professional job is as helping someone write resumes and take interviews, and/or someone who us a ? Job broker. Both might be helpful in your situation.

   Good luck !

2. AnonymousDecember 3,2023 at 10:00PM UTC

   Where do you find job brokers? For some reason my network has not helped me so far.

3. Wendalyn BrooksDecember 2,2023 at 4:32PM UTC

   Check out Mandy Fard, she’s actually apart of this group and I think she will be a great resource! Also I’m free today if you want to send me your resume w_brooks@outlook.com I can definitely take a look at it

4. AnonymousDecember 3,2023 at 3:11PM UTC

   "a part" rather than "apart" of this group.

5. AnonymousDecember 2,2023 at 5:19PM UTC

   Gosh, I feel the pain and struggle in this, OP. I’ve been there, too.

   What helped me was locating myself in my accomplishments. I made a list of the things that im proud of. In life and in work. Then I stepped back and looked at the trends. This helped me realize a few attributes and character traits: I am good at situations involving high ambiguity, navigating complex projects that don’t yet have requirements, facilitating workshops that foster group ideation and creative problem solving. These are highly marketable skills. Finally, I started getting interviews and landed a job that requires these very same skills. There is hope!

   Might I suggest the same for you. It’ll help you frame what you’re good at: communicate those things in your resume and speak with confidence in interviews.

   Above all, be kind to yourself during this time.

6. AnonymousDecember 3,2023 at 2:30PM UTC

   I am in a very similar situation. I am still employed but who knows for how much longer as my company is having similar struggles. I have been proactively job searching with no success. I feel your pain. Hang in there!

7. Nancy AronsonDecember 3,2023 at 4:00PM UTC

   A better way than just applying for jobs is to network with people in the companies you'd be interested in working for. There are a lot of "hidden jobs" out there that never get posted on job sites, and the only way you find out is by talking to people in the companies.

   If you don't already have a LinkedIn profile and presence, it's time to start. I can point you in the right direction if you'd like.

8. AnonymousDecember 3,2023 at 4:30PM UTC

   I was laid off in March from a senior marketing role and certainly know what you are going for. While YMMV, for me sending out applications at volume has not been a good approach: With the high volume of applications most employers are getting and heavy use of automated tools, it's REALLY hard to break through.

   Instead, as others have noted networking is key. I reached out directly to former co-workers and friends and family and also let people know I was available for consulting work on LinkedIn. I ended up hearing about consulting work or jobs that weren't posted from former co-workers, vendors I'd used, an ex-neighbor and family. I ended up landing enough consulting work that I was able to match my salary for the year.

   To break through, you ultimately need to take both approaches. Make sure your resume is optimized for for the dreaded ATS while you also reconnect with close contacts via in-person outreach and extended ones through being more active on LinkedIn. Post at least once a week and add as many contacts as you can. When you see a job that could be a good fit listed, see if you have any contacts at all that can help refer you.

   And don't beat yourself up for not getting those jobs. One thing I often do is check to see if the job is still listed weeks or months later, and also search on LinkedIn to see if anyone got the job (or ask my contacts within the company). I found that that almost all the jobs where I'd made to an interview ultimately ended up getting put on hold! Many companies also keep job reqs live for months even if they're not ready to hire, so it could very well be that no one was ever interviewed for many of those roles.

9. AnonymousDecember 3,2023 at 5:41PM UTC

   Services? No, just work your network. Take a break first and work on what you want and write it down and then use your own network for reaching out to get connected. Just applying doesn't work anymore as you will only end up in a pile of resumes. Blog in your industry, work not only the main network places but also the places where you might not consider jobs will be and let folks know you are looking around. Limit the time each day spent on searching so you don't burn out on that and always follow up. It might take 6-9 months and in the near term consider contract or temp work if need be. Good luck.

10. virginia garrigosDecember 3,2023 at 6:09PM UTC

    Don’t loose your confidence, trying to get in any jobs is hard unless you know someone in the industry that can recommend you, I had apply a least 100 jobs 90% has been rejects and the other 5% wasn’t the right compensation not even close . Just keep your head up and keep looking forward, you will find the right person who will know your worth.

11. Deanna CDecember 3,2023 at 6:42PM UTC

    Consider seasonal or temp jobs that may be of interest while you are looking. The few times that I have done that, the company offered me a permanent full time position after my assignment was over.

    There are many of these types of companies who like to try out employees before committing.to them.

12. AnonymousDecember 4,2023 at 1:12PM UTC

    Take a good look at your resume; after applying to that many positions and not getting any interest it can be that your resume needs to be refreshed.

    Try working with an agency- many of the postings are actually from the same recruiting company who are under different umbrellas. When you apply to anything your appeal goes down.

    Take a breather from the job posts and when you step back in be mindful of what you apply to. Dig into the posting company, who are they so you can be certain that you are strategic about how you apply.

    Good luck!

13. Tara SDecember 4,2023 at 1:48PM UTC

    It’s difficult to remember BUT it’s not you! Most companies don’t want to add to their budget this time of year and it’s difficult to train new hires when many are taking off for the holidays. Additionally, you must curtail your resume to each job you apply to. I always say looking for a job is a job itself. The systems (ATS) that companies use often grade resumes based on certain phrases or how many times certain words are mentioned. Those with the highest score get phone calls. Hundreds of resumes come in each day & there’s no way for HR to look at each one. They rely on ATS systems to help streamline. It’s also important to network. Reach out to the hiring manager on LinkedIn if you can find them. Make your message genuine so it’s noticeable. Also reach out to your current network & let them know you’re in the market. Sometimes there are positions that are never posted and sometimes a position will be made for you if you’re really good. Keep your head up and try to remember it’s not personal.

14. CharanDecember 4,2023 at 3:39PM UTC

    Hi, so this is a difficult time of year, also the automated application systems are a nightmare. Unless your resume hits all the keywords the system is looking for, you probably not going to get through.

    I suggest networking. There is someone in your network, or their network where your next role resides. This is about building connections and not trying to get past the automation… which is a nightmare.

15. CharanDecember 4,2023 at 3:41PM UTC

    Also here is a resource you might want to use to help find your next role https://www.phyl.org

    never search alone

16. Raquel KrantzDecember 4,2023 at 4:31PM UTC

    Hello, I did a career pivot from Education to Non-Profit Management last year. What helped me was following and applying a career coach tips for LinkedIn and resume writing. Her name is Emily Liou - Cultivitae. Total gamechanger. After a few months, my LinkedIn job applications were getting responses for interviews and I was hired rather quickly. It pays to learn how to rebrand and refresh our profiles and how we approach our career brand. Hope this helps! Keep going!

17. LorraineDecember 4,2023 at 5:44PM UTC

    Little secret from an HR Manager. On your resume find room to include ALL the BUZZ words from the job ad and put that information on your resume in white. The ATS will pick up the words and your resume will soon be on a recruiters desk. And because the words are in white, the words will not print on the resume. It's a strategic and genius move. Trust me it works. I've helped many friends get past ATS process and get interview calls. Good luck.

18. AnonymousDecember 5,2023 at 1:14PM UTC

    I've often heard this advice get debunked. It's not a secret and I'm told it's the fastest way to get your resume chucked in the trash. A simple cntrl+A and change the font to all black will have you found out quickly

19. LorraineDecember 6,2023 at 4:49AM UTC

    Found out or not it’s still a leg up got get your resume seen by more recruiters than not. Big deal if some of the resumes get panned. At least you have a fighting chance with some rather than none. My advice is helpful. Yours is negative.

20. AnonymousDecember 6,2023 at 12:13PM UTC

    Your reply is so weird. I didn't even offer advice I was simply stating that your advice OFTEN gets debunked. All it takes is one opportunity, that's all she needs, and you're fine with essentially telling her oh well if her resume gets trashed. Plus she runs the risk of getting blacklisted at that company. Here's some advice that has been proven to be effective. Bypass the ATS system AND the recruiter and network to find the hiring manager. The ATS and the recruiter are not offering the job it's the hiring manager that is. So she should be reaching out to her network asking for referrals heck, even sites like Blind have folks offering to refer people that they never met just so they get the referral bonus.

21. AnonymousDecember 4,2023 at 8:59PM UTC

    Keep in mind that it's the holidays so there are vacations and long weekends, new budgets that don't go into effect for a bit and folks are ready to rest before plowing into recruiting. Hiring. Onboarding. Training.

    Give things a chance to get going next year. Most of what you're experiencing has little to do with you. The timing and the labor market are not great.

22. AnonymousDecember 4,2023 at 11:01PM UTC

    Try ChatGpt to customize your resume based on specific job descriptions. A.I. will draft your resume to hit all ATS indicators.

23. AnonymousDecember 5,2023 at 12:12AM UTC

    First of all, it is a wise and courageous decision to leave a job where you are not valued, gain value or the management is incompetent , and again knowing that you can do well in an interview is to your advantage. But, I think, applying for 70 jobs at once can be too much. So, I advice you to be more selective to some areas that interest you the most and get prepared as much as you can in advance so that you will increase your odds of success on an interview and you decrease the odds of time being jobless. Be confident that you can do it and you will.

24. AnonymousDecember 5,2023 at 3:47AM UTC

    Everyone that is looking for something new is finding a hard to cutting through the noise. It's important to apply to roles as soon as you see them versus waiting at the end of the day. As others have mentioned you should be using AI to stand out specifically utilizing a SWOT analysis to highlight your experience with the job description. The other thing that's really important is letting your network know you are looking discreetly of course.

25. AnonymousDecember 5,2023 at 8:53PM UTC

    By noise do you mean other job seekers or something else?

26. AnonymousDecember 5,2023 at 3:25PM UTC

    I lost my job several years ago, however, in my case I was wrongfully terminated due to being disabled. Since, I decided to fight back by filing a complaint with the EEOC, my former employer lied and said I was fired for cause when I wasn't, which meant I had to fight to get my unemployment benefits in my state. Thankfully, I had enough evidence on my former employer that I was able to prove that what they did was retaliatory, when I filed an immediate appeal when my unemployment benefits were denied to me. I filed on an early Friday morning and by the following Monday afternoon I had 2 checks from unemployment in my mailbox (1 for all my back pay, and another for the previous week's benefits.

    During the time I was unemployed I applied for over 300 jobs, and had only about 15 interviews. I also took every single class I could that my local unemployment office offered to job seekers, which helped me a lot to learn some new skills and taught me how to tailor my resume specifically to each job posting that I was applying to. Eventually, I decided to become self-employed instead, which has been quite the journey, however, looking back now I can't imagine myself doing anything else and my clients love me.

    You have to remember sometimes, we are meant to do something that we were never planning on doing as part of our original goals in life. I know becoming a small business owner was definitely not part of my plan for my professional life goals, however, it was what I was meant to do and I love it. Keep an open mind and you'll find what you are meant to do next, too.

27. larry jonesDecember 5,2023 at 3:42PM UTC

    I'm going through the same thing myself with the company that I used to work for I had applied for numerous jobs and I had interviewed for for the positions that I had experience for the company lied about why was I terminated they even lied about the date that was terminated and I had to file with the EEOC and I'm still fighting for benefits and that's six months but I have a job now that I'm alright with even though I'm not making what I was making in my last position I'm going to be alright because I have a chance to get back to a position that I like with the company that I'm with now with great benefits and great coworkers but to me a peace of mind is more important than a piece of money

28. Amala LaneDecember 5,2023 at 6:08PM UTC

    Have you made a list of all your contacts in your field or friends who may have leads? It doesn't hurt to reach out with a friendly but formal email requesting suggestions or referrals. Let people know you are on the job market. Many jobs are found through these networks. Also, check your college's career services. They help alumni.

29. AnonymousDecember 5,2023 at 8:55PM UTC

    Some companies have vacant headcount that if empty at the end of the year— they lose it for next year. Ya never know. Maybe the role you’re looking for is urgently hiring? :)

30. caitlin lopezDecember 5,2023 at 9:20PM UTC

    Well, I applied about 2,000, the job market is very soft.

    This had the effect that you would not get any interview, and if you get one and fail for any reason: you will mark yourself as faliure, which is not true!

    I got layoff in July and just interview with four companies. A year ago I will get a job in less than two weeks.

    So please, do not think is you. There too many external forces that you can't control.

    P.S

    Normally I will get so nervously that 2+2 = 309

    Other thing to remember with an interview: is a two way. I had two interviews with the people that I supposed start working with. I had in my mind during the interview the following image: A woman shouting, red eyes with a blade ready to strike, and the shout is: she is not good !

31. Changemaker911887December 6,2023 at 1:31PM UTC

    If you are on LinkedIn check out and follow Liz Ryan, CEO of The Human Workplace. She has great content and advice for helping you navigate during this challenging time.

    Also Sam Owens, CMO of Freezing Point provides great career advice with a little bit of humor to help keep your perspective.

    Here's to your continued success!

32. AnonymousDecember 6,2023 at 3:02PM UTC

    Networking is probably your best bet - reach out to those connections you have from the role and start leveraging them to find your next role. There are many, many good resources available on LinkedIn.

33. Angela MasonDecember 6,2023 at 4:49PM UTC

    Don't give up!

    I applied for over 400 jobs before I landed the career of my dreams.

    You will get through this!

    Hugs

34. Yanin FDecember 7,2023 at 11:39PM UTC

    We have to network for our next opportunity. Submitting an application, unfortunately, is not enough. Build your network on Linkedin. Create a message that includes what caught your attention about the person's profile, a little about your background, and the interest you have in the company they work for. When asking to connect, create a message that would motivate them to accept the connection. Once connected, search in their contacts if they have anyone else that works for the organization within the focus you seek to be a part of. Once you have a connection, reach out and request a phone coffee break to inquire about what they do for the organization, what the culture is like, and the best way to apply for an opportunity with that organization. Hope this helps. Best wishes on your search.