If you’re like many of my clients, you’re beyond frustrated with the endless job search and starting to wonder if you’re even employable. But it’s almost certainly not you!
So what the heck is going on, and what can you do about it?
The state of things
Let’s start with why it’s so hard to find something right now. The first thing, of course, is that the world is a hot mess right now: uncertainty about North America’s economic future, escalating Syrian civil war, an attempt at martial law in South Korea, France’s governmental insanity, the shooting of the UnitedHhealthcare CEO and people’s reactions to it—it’s just madness! And yes, it all has an impact. I know it seems utterly unrelated to whether or not you get hired, but world events (including things that happened earlier than what I’ve listed) contribute to economic turbulence, which causes employers to be extra cautious about hiring. Many of them seem to be waiting to see what happens. That, of course, leaves job-seekers out in the cold.
Technology
Then there’s technology. Applicant tracking systems, those clever little AI tools that screen applications right away, are getting smarter but they’re still just robots. They miss things that would be obvious to a human, and they often weed people out for not using the language they’ve been programmed to seek.
The widespread availability of video conferencing options has also made it possible for recruiters to interview lots of candidates, often many, many times, without the inconvenience of having people come in, with all those logistics and added time commitments. And because HR was disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, the Great Resignation, and the subsequent rounds of layoffs, most companies are also operating with much smaller hiring teams, which means a more drawn-out process even after you get through the endless screenings.
And, of course, there are some businesses looking for ways to replace humans with AI—I don’t think that’s ultimately a sustainable option, for a variety of reasons, but for a while it’s going to make things really hard for people whose roles appear to be replaceable to their employers.
Industries
And finally there’s the stuff about sectors of work. IT, as we all know, has been particularly hard-hit with all this turmoil, and hiring hasn’t picked back up to what it was before the layoffs. The news about the economy so far has mostly continued to be good, but what you aren’t likely to be hearing is the details. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most of the job growth has been in just five sectors: healthcare, government, and leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, and retail. So you’re probably struggling more if you’re looking outside those industries.
How to take action
So what can you do, then?
Even though these factors are largely out of your control, there are some things you can do to put yourself in a better position to find a job.
Step 1: Evaluate what you’ve been doing. Has your search process had successes, like you being asked to final-round interviews, or are you still doing the same ol’ thang and expecting different results? It may be time for a refresh on your search: more networking, different job boards, an updated LinkedIn profile. Be sure you break any plans you make into small, achievable goals.
Step 2: Create a target list. This can be employers you want to work for or job titles you want. Then get advice from mentors, coaches, old colleagues, and new people in interesting roles. You want to get good, honest feedback, including constructive criticism and advice. This might be hard to hear sometimes, but it will ultimately help you, so try to take it in.
Step 3: Consider adding a recruiter to the mix of tools you’re using. Don’t rely solely on a recruiter, but think of them as another tool in your toolkit. The more specialized the recruiter is, the more luck you’ll have, so be sure to check for success rates, reviews from others in your field, and who the recruiter’s connections are with.
Step 4: Rework your resume. Career professionals like me really encourage job-seekers to tailor their applications to each job. That means carefully matching your skills and accomplishments to those listed in the job description. AI tools can be incredibly useful in this process, but be sure you edit the end result or it will sound like something written by AI. That can get your application tossed in the reject pile right away, so make sure your voice is still present in the documents.
Step 5: Remember to take care of yourself. Looking for a job stinks. It’s frustrating and scary and not great for mental health. And, of course, you’ll put yourself in a better position go be hired if you are feeling more positive, so take breaks as necessary, and do whatever you need in order to be in the best possible mental space as you continue this process!
