Sorry to break it to you but getting hired doesn’t happen as a result of a single transaction like submitting a resume online. But wouldn’t that be nice.
Eliminate Frustration
It’s frustrating when you don’t get a response or a call after submitting your online application. I understand. But your frustration has to do with your unmet expectations, not what the HR team does or doesn’t do.
Furthermore, there are also situations that will frustrate you:
- You won’t get a meeting just because you ask for one.
- No one is entitled to connect with you on LinkedIn.
- Your emailed request for a conversation with a stranger will be ignored.
- Even your Tweet is likely to fall on deaf ears.
- Fat chance you’ll get a job if you go around asking everyone you know for one.
You have to earn the right to get these things. And you do that by establishing a relationship first. Strong relationships are based on knowing, liking and trusting you.
So let’s re-think this.
If you are serious about landing your next job, stop obsessing over how many jobs you’ve applied to (and been frustrated by when you didn’t get a response) or how many people haven’t fed you job leads. Job search isn’t transactional.
Instead, work on building trusting relationships with people with the single goal of getting to know each other- nothing more. No hidden agendas. No ulterior motives. Just get to know people.
Here’s the deal, for so long, you’ve been taught to follow instructions, play by the rules, be compliant. These are important, to an extent. But these rules don’t apply to real life.
Those who have achieved success (landed dream jobs and/or get what they wanted), seldom did it by playing by someone else’s rules. Successful people have supporters, allies, informants, buddies or someone who advocated for them.
Unfortunately, schools and employers put more emphasis on getting you to play by the rules than on teaching you interpersonal skills like how to meet people, build mutually beneficial relationships and help others.
What ultimately influences success usually has to do with how trustworthy or credible you are.
Ever Bought A Car?
When was the last time you plunked down over 20K on a car because you saw a flyer in the mail? The flyer may inspire you to take your next steps and learn more about the car. But that would have to be a pretty great flyer from a brand you recognized and/or trusted. What I’m suggesting is that your decision to invest in a new vehicle is influenced by many factors. More than you may admit to.
The truth is, hiring is not a transaction like buying a car. There are numerous factors that go into the final decision to purchase/hire someone. Ultimately the decision to hire someone is based on a person-to-person exchange.
Change How You Do It
Instead of putting all your effort into tweaking the resume, why not put the majority of your effort into building relationships and NOT expecting anything in return, other than learning about someone.
If you did this with the same sense of frequency and urgency you use when searching the job boards, it could change your outcome.
One last thought to ponder. Could your inability to forge trusting relationships be the reason you’re not landing a job (and holding on to a job for that matter)?
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
