Having worked with job seekers for more than 25 years, I’ve seen many changes in how the process works. It’s evolved with technology and of course, adjusted to economies and job markets in general. Communications now go way beyond the resume, to include a whole suite of communication tools. People connect and network online, as well as face to face. It’s transformed from a push to pull market.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the fact that the job search can be frustrating and disappointing. Many job seekers hear “no” a lot. Or worse, after painstakingly customizing their application documents or making phone calls, they don’t hear anything. Waves of self-doubt and insecurity often follow with this scenario.
Well, there’s something else that has not changed. And it’s relevant to handling the frustration and disappointments. It sounds too simple. It’s not simple. But it’s crucial to job search success. It’s best summed up using my husband’s mantra:
You can’t catch fish without keeping your line in the water.”
In the job search, it’s a big body of water. Those opportunities are out there; some are hidden. You look for weed beds, underwater drop-offs, shady or land points. You ask family, friends and networking contacts about opportunities. You look for businesses or organizations that are prospering. You do your homework through informational interviewing and research.
You need the right bait and equipment—from resumes to pitches. Patience is key. You won’t catch a fish with every cast. And even when you get a bite, you need to land it in the interview. Sometimes you’ll do everything the right way; and you won’t catch a thing. Sometimes you’ll make a mistake; and you’ll still catch something. But there’s one thing that is certain: if you don’t apply and get out there, you won’t get anything. If you don’t cast your line and keep that line in the water, the fish are not going to jump into your boat.
A friend of mine had a plaque on her wall that read, “You never give up; for that is the time and place the tide will turn.”
Keep your line in the water. This could be the big one.
