We all have roadblocks; little and big snares that catch us and keep us from making progress towards something we want. In a job search, as in the rest of life, it is possible to get stuck and not even realize it.
These are four ways people get “stuck” in their search, how to recognize when you’re stuck, and what you can do to move forward.
Roadblock #1: Waiting to hear back
The first way people get stuck in their job search is one of the easiest ways to bring it to a dead stop. Danger number one is the curse of “waiting to hear back.” After you’ve applied to a few jobs, it’s easy to stop actively searching for opportunities and completing applications. You may find you’re spending your time thinking about when employers might get back to you or about how well you match the requirements for the job. You might even picture yourself working in the role.
While envisioning your success is a good habit in moderation, thinking about the jobs you have already applied to won’t get you closer to getting a job. In order to make progress in your search, continue to apply to additional positions.
Not sure if you’ve fallen into this trap? Keep track of your job applications using whatever method works best for you: keep a list on your computer, make a journal list, or build an Excel spreadsheet. You can also see an application history of jobs you’ve applied to on most job boards. Keep in mind those lists don’t include jobs you’ve applied to directly through employer websites. By keeping track of the number of jobs you’re applying to regularly, you can better manage your job search activities and avoid becoming complacent, especially during a long job search. Set yourself a target number of jobs to apply to daily or weekly. Keep in mind that it can take awhile to complete applications, so give yourself adequate time to complete the task well.
Roadblock #2: Difficulty finding job opportunities
One wall you might run into is having trouble finding jobs that interest you or fit your skills. If you’ve run out of options in your daily search, you might want to vary the way you look for potential jobs or consider broadening your search.
The internet offers tremendous resources when considering alternative titles or types of job opportunities. One of the best resources for job related information is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS is the primary agency of the U.S. government related to labor economics and information. Leverage the Occupation Outlook Handbook to find details on job types and the related requirements for those jobs. You’ll also find useful data such as projected growth of specific occupations and pay expectations.
Another resource for identifying and learning about job opportunities is O*NET OnLine. O*Net allows you to search for occupations. Using some of this data, O*Net and the U.S. Department of Labor have partnered to create My Next Move which allows you to identify potential occupations by searching specific skills or keywords, browsing by industry or by completing a profile questionnaire. The site also has a modified experience specific for veterans.
Next, check out the competition. If you’re interested in working for a specific company, also consider similar companies. You might end up finding employers you didn’t know about. One way to determine a company’s competitors is by searching within their industry or category. Some job postings include a category listing for the company. If you click on the category links, you’ll access a list of similar companies. Another method (especially for larger and public companies) is to look at their Wikipedia page. For example, on Apple’s Wikipedia page, you’ll find several lists of related companies. At the end of the article, there is a list of other “Electronics companies” and “Companies based in Cupertino, California.” Further towards the very bottom of the page, under Categories, is a listing for “Technology companies of the United States,” clicking on that category will take you to an extensive list of technology companies.
Roadblock #3: Unsure of what comes next
For various reasons, you may decide it’s time to take your career in a different direction. Maybe after years in a specific type of job, you’re ready for a change or perhaps your industry has evolved and you feel it’s time to look elsewhere for the future. Regardless of the reason, deciding on your next career can be challenging and stall your job search. If you find yourself asking, “What do I want to do?” it’s time to start researching the possibilities.
Reach out for informational interviews to get to know more about potential roles or industries that interest you. You can ask a current employee for an informational interview to learn more about what it is like to work there or what the job is like. Ask the question; “Do you have 15-20 minutes to speak with me about XYZ?” Keep it brief and polite, especially if it is a request through social media. Getting to the point demonstrates that you value their time.
When you speak with them, have some questions in mind, but be flexible. Also, ask questions that you can’t find from a Google search or from the company’s website. For example, “What does a typical workday look like for you?” or “What do you like most about working here?”
Additionally, be prepared to answer questions about your work history and background—it’s natural that the person you are interviewing might be curious about it. Ahead of time, think of a brief elevator pitch of what you do and what opportunities you are looking for.
Finally, don’t ask for a job, because this is supposed to be a pressure-free conversation, but do ask for a next step. If you’ve put the work in to get to this point, don’t let the conversation end without asking. Good things to ask are who else they think you should meet or speak with, or any recommendations they have to help you with your research (books, websites, or professional associations, etc.). If you execute informational interviews well they can be a great source of referrals and help you get refocused for your job search.
Roadblock #4: Waiting for perfection
There’s no such thing as perfect during the job search. So, make sure that your resume is well edited and customized for each application you submit. If you plan to invest time on your resume, spend less time on formatting and more time on content. Unless design is part of your field, keep the format simple and straightforward. Be sure the format includes a snapshot of the most important information about your work history, experience, and key skills that make you a good fit for the role. Lastly, read your resume aloud, it will be easier to identify any written errors.
Wanting the perfect resume isn’t the only type of perfectionism that can hinder your search. Sometimes looking for an opportunity that fits the idealistic one you have in mind can bring your job search to a grinding halt. The longer your job search takes, you risk creating financial pressure and increasing the odds that you’ll make a choice that isn’t the right fit for you in the long run. If you aren’t finding the right fit, consider consulting or temporary work to relieve financial stress while you are looking for a better long-term job match. Also consider speaking with peers to help you mold your expectations for the current local marketplace and ensure that you are keeping your goals realistic and actionable.