4 Reasons You Aren't Getting A Job

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So, you've been out of work for a long time and still aren't getting job offers? Are you ready to give up? If so, you aren't alone. There are lots of people in the same situation. The job market is tight, and the best way to get a great job is to compete and do whatever you can to make yourself stand out.



If you haven't been able to find a job, maybe it's time to try something new and take a risk. After all, if what you've been doing hasn't been giving you the results you want, there is no reason to think that continuing to do it will suddenly give you something different. It's time to shake things up and try a new approach.



If you aren't getting job offers, here are 4 reasons you might be sabotaging your career:



You wait for someone to get back to you - No one is just going to hand you a job. Submitting applications and resumes and then sitting by the phone might have been enough to land a great job a decade ago, but today, it just doesn't cut it. If you apply for a job and don't hear anything back, give them a call and follow up. Pursue each opportunity and show that you are enthusiastic and persistent. Take ownership of your search and follow up on each job lead until you get a "No". Don't just wait and hope you'll get a phone call.



You think that the job search is about you - Your focus shouldn't be just on who you are and what skills and experience you have. The majority of people approach their job search from this angle, but it's rarely effective. Change your approach by focusing on the company. Who are they? What do they need? What are their goals? What can you bring to the table?



You have a bad attitude - Negativity shows through in everything you do. If you have a bad attitude, think that you are owed a job or don't expect much from an interview, you'll probably not get a job offer. It's hard when you're out of work to keep a positive attitude, but it's important. Do whatever you have to in order to take care of yourself and keep your spirits up. Enthusiasm and passion are contagious and make a much better impression than negativity.



You are stuck in your ways - If you aren't willing to change or take risks, it really hurts your job search. Use your resume and cover letter to show that you are up-to-date by adding links to your Linkedin or Twitter profile. If your knowledge base is out of date, take a few refresher courses or enroll in an adult education program. This makes it clear to a prospective employer that you are flexible and committed to furthering your career.



If any of these mistakes sound familiar to you, don't worry, they are all fixable. All you have to do is recognize where your problem areas are and take steps to minimize them.



Have you ever found yourself doing one of these? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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  • Sharon D
    Sharon D
    Good info, self esteem I think helps the most and or being confident in yourself.  What do you suggest on that?
  • Richard B
    Richard B
    1. There is no point in adding a link to Linkedin on your resume if the information is exactly the same. All an employer has to do is Google your name anyway. Useless advice.2. There is no point in adding Twitter if you are in an area with no cellphone service so you do not use Twitter. More useless advice.3. Focussing on the company is pointless if they do not really know who they are and what they are about themselves. If you have a really good idea, why let somebody else steal it? Do it yourself!
  • Kristie S.
    Kristie S.
    Stacy S. - I have had the same problem with follow-up.  I have left messages (no one ever picks up) and after 3-4 tries I have just given up.  It is very unprofessional and after experiencing that I decided those are not companies I would like to work for.  If they treat job candidates like that how do they treat their employees?
  • Michelle S
    Michelle S
    @Sammy S....LOL! You made my day! It is very difficult to remain positive when prospective employers have no respect for job seekers. I've read all the "job searching advice articles" out there, and I have followed all of the "pearls of wisdom" to the letter. I am more than qualified for every position I have applied for, and I know what the position requires and/or what skills I bring to the table. Result.....still no job after 6 months of searching every day of the week. Nevertheless, I am hopeful there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Advice to all the job seekers out there...Keep your chin up!
  • Ernie C
    Ernie C
    There is also another reason  you are not being hired.The Bush administration signed into law that a company can check your credit report and with the lobbyist in Washington,They can check your medical report, which if they hire you then their insurance rates go up. So you are actually being discriminated for no being able to pay your bills on time. Even though you are a rocket scientist. Production is dropping in this country because our talented population are not being hired. Instead we are hiring healthy credit worthy individuals who can not accomplish the feats of the talented.
  • Debbie H
    Debbie H
    These are great tips.  Most applications are completed online and don't always list the company.  I would love to follow up with a phone call.   Do you call even if it is posted NO CALLS?
  • john w
    john w
    I have recently graduated from college and every job I have applied for is looking for 3-5 years experience. I do not have that experience because I am a recent graduate and no one will hire me so I can get experience. My question is how do you get experience if no one will hire you?
  • Jennifer M
    Jennifer M
    This just isn't true. I have applied at over 85 places in 3 months, the majority of them being online through job sites- there is NO way to follow up on them. AND I have read MANY articles from HR managers asking people to NOT call and bother them. IF they were interested in you THEY WOULD CALL YOU. All you are doing is bothering them in their busy day. I've been at it for months and I do 2-6 job apps a day, I have a degree, I have 10 years of management experience and yet, NOTHING.
  • Janet S
    Janet S
       Thank you for  the advice, I Feel  age is  a determined factor in my applications.No one ever gets back  to me, and I have filled  out many applications.My work  resume should speak for itself, someone could  give some explanation.
  • carla s
    carla s
    It's hard to follow up after you submit your resume because most of the time it's done online.    There is one to follow up with.  You can track the status of your application but that's about it.
  • Hazel J
    Hazel J
    Great intel, I will ck on applications, thanks. How long should I wait before callback?
  • Nancy S
    Nancy S
    Well, I have read and read information online to find out just the right things to do, but sadly nothing is helping. When you lose your job through no fault of your own, just because your boss wants to hire someone younger for 3.00 dollars less an hour and tells you that to your face, it becomes very discouraging. There are all sorts of ways to find out people's age now. Seriously, It is discouraging but I get up every day and do all the right things and I work at getting a job 8 hours a day and it seems that people can not even have the common courtesy to let you know if the position is taken. But, what choice do we have but to continue getting up every day and repeat the process.
  • Susan L
    Susan L
    Because I am getting older, I decided to advance my degree in nursing to a BSN thinking it would open opportunities for me.  What an eye opener!!!  I am more than qualified to do many jobs in my field, but my age gets in the way. It doesn't matter that I am  active and don't look 58, my resume reflects too many years in the industry, hence, I am old and in the way.   
  • Michael A
    Michael A
    I would like to agree with The Y of How jobseekers are not gotten back to. There also as I am now over the age of 45 and even with 5-7 years experience at most of the work I have been doing do not even get a response e-mail as to under or over qualified for a given position. Ignoring an inquiry was once considered more than bad etiquette but Extremely unprofessional   Your Thoughts?
  • Scott D
    Scott D
    Too many employers hide behind e-mail addresses.  You are unable to see them in person and discuss their needs or what you have to offer.Therefore you have to wait for them to contact you. That rarely happens these days.  I have been searching for six years.I am always labeled over or under qualified by employers that do take the time to answer me.  Over due to all the education and experience I bring to the table.  Under because I do not know every PC language on the market.
  • William M
    William M
    The real truth is a certain group wants to bring down the wages.Back to where it's been set. HELLO
  • Prosper B
    Prosper B
    These are wonderful pieces. Thank you.
  • Beth B
    Beth B
    I feel there is an age bias and long term  unemployed you are at a disadvantage.   I work with a group of professionals that are long term unemployed and it is a problem for them. Takes 1-2 years to land a job that is half the pay they had before.  10-20 years exp.  they still stay current with skills and learn new ones and can not even get an interview.  They have been execs and directors
  • Roseberge C
    Roseberge C
    Thank you for the advice, I don't know what to do anymore, because I have been out of work for two years now I try everything you say, but none of it work. I hope God help me very soon.
  • Stacy S
    Stacy S
    These are all great tips. Some of them I already do and some I am going to start doing, thank you. But one question about following up..What do you do if you have followed up 2 or 3 times, and no one returns your calls? (No one ever answers, and I've left messages at a small branch and at the main office of the same company) Do I just give up on that company?
  • Lisa  P
    Lisa  P
    Omg thanks for your help ..
  • Walter B
    Walter B
    Im just mad as hell at the world right now.  Sometimes, I feel like I want to kick someone's ass to give me a job!
  • Tina K
    Tina K
    Thanks for some great advice....And the push in a positive direction!
  • Jaya H
    Jaya H
    Excellent ideas and it helps
  • S. D
    S. D
    It seems that every place listing available jobs, ask for all the background information.  Why do you suggest that also the person trying to get a job should list Linkedin or Twitter where these social networks are just that...social places.  I don't particularly care sharing my background with friends of friends' friends.  Suggestion?

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