According to the latest statistics from Monster.com, if your resume appeals to a hiring manager or recruiter, you should hear from them in about two weeks, but the entire interview process may take eight weeks or more. Even then, the company may reject your application. Other recent statistics show that most people apply to over 200 jobs before they get an interview. No wonder some experts suggest sending out 10 to 15 resumes a week—even after you get an invitation to interview.
Discouraged?
If you are, maybe these tactics will help to change your job search perspective:
- View silence and rejection as an opportunity—more time to find the perfect fit. That job might be wrong for you; the next job will be right.
- Consider asking someone in the field or career where your interest lies to find out whether you need to update your credentials or skills or whether you are overlooking a possible career path.
- Read job postings with a different search perspective. Instead of looking at the job title or industry, look at the experience, education, and skills required. You may recognize opportunities you never thought about before.
- Widen the possibilities. Have you looked outside your original preferred geography, industry, or positions to consider if there are places where you might compromise—maybe adding 15 minutes to the commute, for example?
- Recognize that companies have multiple reasons for not choosing your resume, not inviting you to further interviews, and not hiring you. Never assume they are rejecting you for who you are.
- Practice to develop your confidence. The more confident you feel on phone or video interviews, the better you will perform.
- Give yourself a break. Every long-term effort causes stress, and stress will undermine the most optimistic job search perspective. A short break will renew your energy.
- Run the numbers. Are you sending out 10 to 15 resumes a week? Have you made 200 or more applications, or does it only seem that way?
Bring in the professionals. You may benefit from working with a professional resume writer and career coach. You will find the professional help you need at Robin’s Resumes®, where we have over 20 years of experience helping people just like you enjoy a successful job search