289: What to Do if You Aren't Getting Any Job Offers

What to Do if You Aren't Getting Any Job Offers

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Oftentimes, people who schedule a consult with me are doing so because they have been job searching with little to no success. On the scheduling form, they indicate that they need a resume re-write.

One of the questions on the scheduling form has to do with the number of applications they have completed, the number of interviews with different companies they’ve had, and the number of job offers they’ve received.

I ask for this information because it helps me begin to narrow down where their problem might be. Let’s look at each step of this process, and what to do if your problem is in that step.

Not enough applications.

There are three main points I want to make here:

1. Clients will indicate that they’ve applied to 12 jobs and not yet received an interview. My rule of thumb is 1 job interview for every 10 applications, so while 12 applications should have yielded an interview, we really don’t have sufficient data here.

2. It’s a numbers game — but those numbers have to be quality. I often hear from clients who aren’t getting interviews that their solution has been to apply for more jobs — even jobs they aren’t that interested in and/or aren’t at least 75% qualified for. Your applications should ALWAYS be quality over quantity.

3. If all you are doing for your job search is applying to jobs online LIKE THE REST OF THE UNIVERSE, then you’re going to be in for a long haul. Enter networking to access the 70-85% of jobs that aren’t advertised.

Not enough interviews.

Here are three considerations: 

1. If a client indicates that they’ve applied to 75 jobs without a single interview — or with just one or two interviews — then I dig down to determine the QUALITY of the jobs they’ve applied for. As previously stated, the client is often in QUANTITY over QUALITY at this point — and they are operating from a place of desperation and lack.

   Here's what happens when you apply for jobs you don’t really want or don’t think you have a shot at: You get discouraged, and your motivation begins to dip. EVEN THOUGH YOU DIDN’T REALLY WANT THE JOB IN THE FIRST PLACE. 

2. Another consideration if a client isn’t getting enough interviews is, are they customizing their resume and cover letter for that position? Are they completing the application? A resume that isn’t tailored for that position isn’t likely to beat out other applicants who took the time to do so.

3. Finally, I talk to this client about my “+1” approach — doing one more thing in addition to just applying like everyone else. Who can they ask to advocate for them? How can they make a personal contact? Remember, applying online is like trying to get the attention of the people on stage in the most crowded auditorium there is. You need to make yourself stand out. 

Interviews aren’t converting to job offers.

Here are four possibilities:

1. I find that many people think they should have received at least one job offer after two-three interviews. My rule of thumb is the same as with application-interview: 10 interviews for one job offer. And these are 10 interviews with 10 companies, not multiple interviews with the same company.

2. If the client has had 15-20 interviews without an offer, one possibility is that, while they are qualified for the job, they aren’t really interested in the job — or at least they aren’t conveying their interest in the interview. The interviewer isn’t getting a sense of the candidate’s excitement about the company and the job.

3. Another possibility is that the candidate isn’t adequately preparing for the interview — they haven’t done their homework. NOTE: This preparation also often tracks with the candidate’s excitement level.

4. Finally, the candidate may need interview coaching. Some clients who come to me for this service have been given feedback that they don’t interview well; others sense it based on their experience; still others want to improve their interview skills before they start getting interviews.

Here are eight suggestions if you aren’t getting enough job offers:

1. Develop an actual job search strategy — one that doesn’t rely solely on job boards. My rule of thumb is 25% networking if you’re right out of college, 50% networking if you are mid-career, and 75% or more networking if you are at the executive level.

2. Improve your networking skills so that networking is an equal exchange of energy. Most people who hate networking feel that way because it feels creepy or desperate. I teach a much better way of networking, where you give at least as much value as you get.

3. Have a professionally written resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. And take the important step of customizing your resume and cover letter each time you submit these documents.

4. Improve your interview skills. Ideally, work with a coach like me who can give you professional feedback, rather than advice from a friend or family member based on their limited interview experience.

5. Consider adding certifications, coursework, or other short-term credentials to your resume. Even beginning an undergraduate or advanced degree can work to your favor.

6. Volunteer or freelance. This is a great opportunity to build skills, network, and gain valuable relevant experience — maybe even earn some income while you’re doing it.

7. Work with a coach on mindset. I find that candidates who are in the job market for a while often begin to make the rejections and non-responses mean something about themselves and their qualifications. Working with a coach to look at your thoughts, and how to make conscious changes to those thoughts, is invaluable during a job search (and always).

8. If you suspect the problem is the career path you are on, you’ll definitely want to work with a career coach like me to assess what you really love to do and what jobs would make the best use of your Zones of Genius.

DIY vs. DFY

DIY:

The number one piece of advice I can give you is to use my conversion rule of thumb to determine where your problem might be. Once again, it’s 10 applications for one interview; 10 interviews for one job offer.

Tell yourself the truth about the jobs you are applying for — are you very interested in every one of them, and at least 75% qualified? If not, what is the thought driving your decision to apply anyway?

Also — use my +1 approach so you aren’t just applying like everyone else. Commit to either going all-in on the jobs you apply for, or not applying at all.

DFY:

If you are listening to this podcast when it first comes out, I highly recommend checking out my Land Your Dream Job Accelerator, starting on October 5th for four weeks. In this small group coaching program, you’ll build out a targeted, proactive job search strategy; learn my “bow-and-arrow” approach to networking that teaches you how to give as much value as you get, and how to manage your mindset throughout your job search.

You’ll also have two, 20-minute laser coaching sessions with me for targeted 1:1 help with your job search.

Click here to learn more about LYDJA and to register.