This may be KILLING YOUR JOB SEARCH
If you’re in a job search and not hearing back from any of the companies you are applying to, there are two common explanations you likely point to.
The first explanation is that your resume isn’t great. This explanation feels good as it lays the blame squarely on the resume.
The second explanation is that the screening processes (both human and technical) of companies suck. Whoever or whatever is reviewing your resume is missing how qualified you are. This explanation feels good as well because it lays the blame on the company.
But there is a more likely explanation – one that you’re avoiding. One that doesn’t feel good because it points to you playing a big role in the lack of progress in your job search. The explanation is this: How you perceive yourself and how others perceive you is different. Sometimes vastly different. For example, the story you tell about yourself professionally (your brand) is not the image your target employers have of you. The jobs you perceive yourself as being qualified for are not what your target employers perceive you as being qualified for. Simply put, how you see yourself (your brand, your qualifications etc.) are not how employers see you. And because there is a gap in perception, you are being eliminated as a potential candidate before you even get an interview.
“But Bill,” you say to yourself, “I get to define my brand! I can apply for whichever jobs I want!” That is very true. However, if a large gap exists between how you see yourself and how your target employers see you, you may not be successful in achieving your job search goals. And you need to know that.
So, if you’re not getting any interviews and want to determine if a gap exists between how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you, consider taking the following steps:
Step 1 – Determine your perception of you
Write down your brand (your professional identity, how you describe yourself professionally etc.). 1 – 3 sentences.
Write down the role you are targeting and which you feel you are qualified for (let’s assume you are taking a step up in role and responsibility i.e. from Program Director to Executive Director of a nonprofit).
Step 2 – Find out others' perception of you
Survey your network. Reach out to approximately 10 people who know you professionally (your Career Advisory Board, former colleagues etc.), let them know you are conducting a career assessment, and ask if they’d be willing to provide some input and tell you the following:
How they would describe you professionally if you weren’t in the room.
Which of the following roles you are most qualified for (i.e. Executive Director or Operations Director of a nonprofit), should pursue a new position. One option should be your target role and the other should be one level below your target role.
Step 3 – Review the data to determine if a gap in perception exists, and if so, where, and how large it is.
Step 4 – Take action to close the gap. This could involve any number of steps, including:
Branding yourself in a more accurate or clearer way.
Adopting the behaviors and attitudes that align with how you want to be seen.
Attaining the education/training, skills, and experience necessary to become qualified for your target role.
🗝 If you’re applying for jobs and not hearing back at all, don’t default to blaming your resume or the employers you are pursuing. Instead, take the time to figure out if there is gap or not between how you see yourself and how employers/others see you. If there isn’t a gap in perception, then maybe all you need is a better resume, network, mindset, or job searching strategy. On the other hand, a gap in perception, while difficult to learn about, can highlight the steps you need to take to better position yourself for job search and career success – and motivate you to do so!
[This article was originally published on LinkedIn on 7/10/23: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/may-killing-your-job-search-bill-leonard-mhrm%3FtrackingId=qVKOyFPSTBW7JYvm%252FCJmWg%253D%253D/?trackingId=qVKOyFPSTBW7JYvm%2FCJmWg%3D%3D]