Ask the Career Consultant: Ready to Give Up...

Dear Lisa,

I have been laid off twice in the last six months. Although I recognize the challenges of an aggressive job search given the economic situation, I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I've had some good job interviews at different companies, but still no job offers. It's getting me down and I'm having trouble staying positive. Am I doing something wrong?

- Ready to Give Up

Dear RTGU:

First: Take a deep breath. Don't allow yourself to get sucked into the negativity that is permeating in the current job market. You may not be doing anything wrong! It's a highly competitive job market right now; that's reality.

This may sound harsh, but it's important to realize that a normal result of an aggressive job search is going to be rejection. Dr. Paul Powers, a management psychologist from Massachusetts even goes so far as to say that "if you are not getting rejected enough, you're not working hard enough." Ouch!

In reality, the fact that you are going on interviews is a great signal that you ARE doing something right. First, it means your cover letter and resume are sparking attention, which is exactly what they're supposed to do. Right now, that's no small feat since hundreds of people may be applying for the same job.

One of the most valuable exercises you can do is to stay focused and extremely organized with your job search activities. Keep a master log of all the companies you are sending your resume to, the date you send it, whether it was sent electronically or via snail mail, the contact person, the job title, etc. This document becomes your "JSB" - Job Search Bible! Job searches require just as much organization as you need once you land a job! Practice your organizational skills NOW by developing your JSB sooner than later. You will also use this to track your follow up, rejection emails or phone calls, and important dates.

My 25 year old daughter has been laid off twice since moving to a new city back in January. The first time, she spent way too much time feeling sorry for herself and wasting negative energy. She started her job search with no real plan and no way to organize contacts, leads and job interviews. She didn't know whether she was coming or going! After it happened a second time, I suggested she immediately practice some bright-siding techniques, and get organized by creating her JSB. It made a huge difference. She felt more empowered and confident. Within one week she had landed three interviews. She kept track of everything and even used some creative color-coding to visually see what jobs needed follow-up (send those thank you notes!).

It's also helpful to conduct your own post-interview evaluation. As soon as you get back to your car after an interview, take a few minutes to do a quick rewind and assess how you did. Did you answer the questions concisely and confidently? Did you make a good first impression? Where is there room for improvement?

If you are not making it past the first interview, there may be some interview techniques you need to brush up on that land you the second interview. A common problem is that candidates send out resumes for positions that aren't a good fit. Dr. Powers warns candidates to avoid letting a sense of panic cause you to "cast your net too wide." It just wastes time on both ends.

That's one piece of advice I gave my daughter and it's been very beneficial this time around. She is reeling in the net and focusing on jobs that she is well-suited for based on her education, experience and what she has a passion for doing. Now, realistically, the job market may be limited, but now that she is narrowing her focus, she is finding more prospective jobs in her niche market. You may have the same success, and it's worth the effort.

During your first interview, be specific in your answers. This is how you will differentiate yourself so you don't become a blur in the sea of candidates. Be able to communicate in 30 seconds what you are about and how you can add value. In today's competitive job market, there is no time for lengthy, over generalized answers. Stick to the facts. Think before you respond. You've got one chance to convince the interviewer you deserve an invite back for seconds.

Always be prepared to ask questions. One of the biggest mistakes first-interview candidates make happens at the end of the interview when the manager asks, "Do you have any questions for me?" If you answer with confidence, "No, I don't think so," you can be quite confident that you won't get called back for a second interview! Be prepared with at least two good questions about the company, the corporate culture, or the mission and vision of the company.

Finally, send thank you notes after every interview. Again, this is where your Job Search Bible will be useful. Use professional-style note cards and keep the note short. Thank the interviewer for their time and mention one or two specific areas of the interview that stood out. The only exception to this rule is if you are concerned about your handwriting. If it qualifies as chicken scratch, then send a short, typed letter instead. Send the note within 24 hours. I recommend keeping a box of note cards in your car, with stamps. This allows you to draft the note while the interview is fresh in your mind, you've got the business card and address handy for the contact so you can write it, stamp it and mail it on the way home!

Remember to be patient and don't get down on yourself. Take time to re-energize often and be good to yourself. Look for the best moment of every day - even something small - and be confident in who you are, your talents, skills and ability to contribute and make a difference.

We're all cheering for you!

Lisa Olsen provides OfficeArrow members with down-to-earth career advice from her extensive experience as a Career Consultant. An author, trainer, speaker and consultant, Lisa's dedication to building relationship chemistry and helping people power up their potential has been the catalyst for her own success. Learn more about Lisa and her services, including keynote addresses, resume revision, and on-site professional development training here.