Top Three Things You Hate About Job Searching

I blog about ideas and actions that you can incorporate into your job search or career management system. I help my clients stay positive, no matter what. But lately I have heard from clients and friends how frustrating it STILL is out there, even though our leaders have declared the economy on the “upswing”. And every week I read the blogs about how job seekers are doing things wrong, and it is their fault they can't find a job. Either their resume sucks, or they are not networking enough, or blah, blah. Yes, I am guilty of similar blogs, and to a certain point I think that you can control your own destiny. But, there needs to be a destination to go to!

This recession has taught Americans many lessons, such as how to live on less. But it has also opened our eyes to the fact that US companies have pretty much given up on the American worker, they have shipped thousands of jobs overseas to REALLY low cost, no regulation, countries. They have squeezed the employees they have left so much, that they are stressed to the max, often doing the work of 3 people. The top firms have made record profits, and rewarded themselves with huge bonuses. While the unemployed are trying to get meager benefits extended and not cut by Congress.

Top Three Things you hate about job hunting:

1. There are NO Jobs.

You have the best resume you can buy, you have a network of hundreds and you are an active, professional networker. You use social media and update your profiles regularly. You have an outstanding record of career triumphs and achievements. You are known as an expert in your field. You follow-up on leads, you look beyond the job boards, you have a national and international recruiter. And yet, you have received ZERO calls and no interviews for months.

2. No Response to My Resume

The dreaded “blackhole of cyberspace” has been added to the lexicon of job searching. And, if you have been searching, you are no doubt familiar with this one. It used to be, even a few short years ago, that if you submitted a resume online, you got some type of response – a “no thanks, but we will keep your resume on file”, or “we are reviewing your qualifications and we will get back to you”. Today, it is a rare occurrence if you receive any type of response back.

3. You Are “Overqualified” for the Job

The recession has reduced salaries across the board, and in just about every industry. Firms have access to a labor pool that really needs to work, and they can select workers that will settle for a much lower salary than they would have 3 years ago. Many experienced, read older, job seekers hear the line “you are overqualified for the position” which when translated into HR speak means, we are hiring someone with less experience for this position and paying them A LOT less than we would need to pay you.

I have tips how to overcome these of course, being a career coach and all, but I just wanted blog about what is affecting job seekers today.

Do you have something to add? Please comment. 

About the "Overqualifed" Author: Kristi Enigl is a Career & Job Search Consultant who brings over 20 years of Hiring, HR Management and Executive Recruiting across a broad spectrum of industries to her professional practice. She helps professionals identify, create, and market their career brand so they reach their career goals – FAST. Email your resume to coachkristi@kristienigl.com for a complimentary, professional evaluation.