How do you keep pushing when it seems like no one wants to hire you?

Question

I have been applying for jobs since July and I have not received a call or email for an interview.  I think If I at least got a chance to interview for a job I'd feel like I'm doing something right, but to go this long and NONE of my applications have advanced to the next stage?  I'm feeling discouraged! I'm a logistics captain in the army, but transitioning into the civilian sector.  I will be fully out of the army by December but eligible to work in the beginning of November.  I'm looking for work in logistics  preferably at Long Beach, California, but I'm not ruling out Los Angeles.  I have what I think is a great resume. I know I'm talented and have great skills to offer.  What am I doing wrong?  And how do I keep going when It feels like I'm not wanted?

StillClimbing@38 · Answer

This sounds VERY cliche but believe me when I say IT ISN'T YOUR FAULT!  Trying to get a job is frustrating and exhausting.  I am FINALLY at the stage where an offer is coming across and I have been applying AND interviewing for six (6) months.  Below are some changes I made that actually resulted in phone calls/interviews.
1)  INVEST in your job hunt.  You have to spend money to make money.  LinkedIn has a Premium membership that is about $30/month but the first 30 days are free.  Once you upgrade, you automatically get pinged in more job searches, you can see who is looking at your profile, and you can send so many free 'inmails' which come in really handy when you have submitted a resume and want to say hello to the hiring manager for that company.  Also, get yourself a career coach and have him/her look at your resume and cover letter.  You can usually find someone for about $50/hour and you really only need 1-2 visits to work the kinks out.  Plus, they have tons of connections for companies who are seeking to hire.  Another good website is flexjobs.com where you set up a profile similar to LinkedIn and all jobs are either partially or 100% remote.
2) MODIFY - Have a different resume and cover letter for each job you are applying for.  You have to dig deep into the details and use language specific to the job posting to sell yourself.  The resume outlines your experience (WHAT) and the cover letter hi-lights how your experience aligns with what they are looking for (WHY).
3)  BE GOOD TO YOURSELF - It is FREAKING HARD to find a job, especially if you are a female and/or person of color and/or over the age of 35 (seriously).  Set aside time to do things you enjoy doing that have nothing to do with job hunting.
4)  CELEBRATE - When that interview comes around celebrate it.  Even if it doesn't turn into an offer, you have gained experience that will enable you to one day land that job.
5)  BELIEVE IN YOURSELF - It will happen - and when it does it will be awesome!  :-)

Johana Tatlow · Answer

This is a rough transition. I strongly suggest you send your resume to someone to evaluate and ensure it is hitting the key words that the civilian sector is looking for, and that it is 'scanable' by ATS systems. The glossiest resumes do no good if the recruit-bots can't read them. I would recommend working with a recruiter as they will be able to pitch you directly to companies that have openings, even some openings that are not posted.

Also, just as an encouragement, the job market lags from July till just after Labor Day as that is when all the hiring managers and HR staff take vacation. They should really post a warning about that on hiring sites :-P I send in one application at the beginning of July that I just had a second interview for this week. They are moving slow as molasses! It's not about you and your qualifications or desirability. It's really all about the hiring processes.

Patty · Answer

Finally, many employers welcome military veterans. They value your integrity, punctuality, dedication to task and mission, and the fact that you have had significant management experience (budgets, personnel, etc.) early in your career. Be sure to emphasize these points.

As another poster mentioned, be open to Federal jobs. Check out the USA Jobs website; that’s where I found my current position (I’m a Fed contractor working with the military).

Keep in mind that, generally speaking, a search for the right mid-career professional job can take a few to maybe six months.  You have great skills to offer. Hold your head high. Best of luck!

Sharmisa Ford · Answer

Than you everyone for your feedback!

Janet Parkhurst · Answer

Dear Anonymous,
Don't feel bad. I've been looking without success since February 1st of this year! I got two bites almost immediately, but neither was a job I could really sink my teeth into. If you're looking online, chances are your resume is being lobbed into the deep, dark hole by those freakin' life-destroying ATS systems. I would love to suggest a GREAT book that puts a whole, new positive spin on job hunting: Reinvention Roadmap by Liz Ryan. It tells you ways to get around those ATS things and get yourself in front of a HUMAN BEING, which is what success is all about. Get it. It's Great. Also, review your LinkedIn profile. Recruiters are putting as much weight on that as your resume nowadays. Best of luck to you and, yes, thank you SO MUCH for your service.
Janet

Anonymous · Answer

You may want to check out Four Block, a career transition program for vets (not sure if you live near any of their locations for their program but worth checking it out) https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/fourblock-a-career-transition-program-for-vets/.  Also, I am sure you have done lots of research, but I wanted to mention that you can find SO many lists of companies actively seeking veterans by searching online - here's an example: https://militarybenefits.info/veteran-jobs-with-military-friendly-employers/.  As mentioned in one of the other comments, they key is to find a company and job you want to apply to and then see who you know at that company or who you know who might know someone on that company (LinkedIn is a great resource!) - networking is key! Good luck and stay positive - it will all work out!

Patty · Answer

Another suggestion is to join Linked In to keep up to date on what’s going on in the civilian job market, and to network. Someone mentioned networking as the #1 way most people, especially degreed professionals, find job leads. There are a lot of retired/separated individuals on Linked In who have already made the transition you’re beginning. study their profiles and how they have worded their experience and their goals and objectives.

Patty · Answer

If you haven’t done it already, ask someone to help you translate the military-specific jargon on your resume to comparable civilian terms. For example, rather than brigade substitute “department (or division, depending on size) of X number of employees”. Utilize the free resources you have on base while you’re still in to get help with this. On our joint Army/Air Force Base, these resources are located at the “Service Member and Family Readiness Center”.

Patti · Answer

It is HARD! I have been looking for about two years and finally got an offer and start date on Friday for a job that aligns with my career.  My husband is still looking and has been actively looking for a year and a half. You really do have to take time for self care. You have to remind yourself that you will get a job and that persistence pays off. You also have to tailor your resume and cover letter to the job you want. Best of luck!

Sharmisa Ford · Answer

Great advice ladies! Thank you!

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