Being unemployed for more than 6-months is considered long-term unemployment and it is the most emotionally draining experiences – it’s reported that over 6 million people are stuck in this rut. Whether it be the lack of available jobs in their profession, adjusting with the times or facing personal issues while searching for the right job – below are some of the most common problems & solutions:
- Irrelevant experience – As difficult as this may be, not everything should be listed on your resume. It might have been an amazing experience for you but it doesn’t relate at all to where you’re trying to go. That can leave recruiters confused as to what your relevance is to the job position.
- Typos & Errors – Proofreading your resume is key – if possible, ask someone else to read your resume entirely to find grammatical errors, typos and poor sentence structures. These mistakes while small to you can hurt your chances dramatically because hiring manger’s will assume you’re careless and lack common sense. Also, you want a resume that tells a story and shows results instead of basic responsibilities.
- Skipping Steps – Taking shortcuts shows you’re unable to follow direction and many applicants fail to follow applications instructions because the process can feel mundane. Once again, this paints you in a negative light – the job search process is like a job in itself. If you don’t put your all into it – you will receive poor results.
- Job isn’t for you – When facing long-term unemployment, people can become desperate and start to apply to ANYTHING. Basically throwing a handful of darts at a board – this rarely works. Most of the time you come across as overqualified and not suited to take the position since you don’t match their needs. Focus your search on jobs you’re qualified for, you’ll have a better chance of getting selected for interviews.
- You lack industry knowledge – Obtaining a solid understanding in the job field/industry shows you have what it takes during interviews and on your resume. Study the job advertisements that match your background and point out the necessary skills that you lack – it might be time for you to advance yourself for the position you want. While unemployed, take this time to learn new skills by attaining certifications or a college degree. Advancing your knowledge to become a resourceful leader in the field will only elevate your chances at getting the job with a higher salary.
- Giving up – Being rejected is not an easy thing to accept but you have to learn from the experience and move on. Don’t let anything make you doubt your capabilities, maintain a positive mindset so that you stay focused on applying to jobs that match your skillset and something will eventually work in your favor. Don’t give up!