No Call Back For That Perfect Job? Here’s The Fix

“I’ve applied for 170 jobs over the last 4 months. What I don’t understand is this: I’m seeing jobs that are absolutely perfect for me. I could do them in my sleep. But I still can’t manage to get a call back.”

Long, long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, someone put the notion in your head that job search is a numbers game. So when you apply for 170 jobs in 4 months, how is it that you’re still losing the game?

I’ll tell you how: it likely has to do with what you believe. And, naturally, your beliefs guide your actions. So let’s dispense with the old school beliefs that are keeping you stuck in your job search significantly longer than you thought you would be.

“If I just apply for more jobs, I’ll get more calls.”

So, no. The 1st problem I see in the 170 jobs in 4 months scenario is the high likelihood you are not qualified for that many jobs.

But your belief - in this case, let’s call it a “wish” - is that you can cast the invisible wide net so you don’t miss out on any opportunities, and some employer somewhere at some time sooner rather than later will see you as the ideal applicant.

It just doesn’t happen that way. And when you stop to think about it, when has it ever happened that way? WHY do you believe more jobs has to equal more calls back? In the ‘80s, you applied for a few jobs, went on a few interviews, and got hired. In the ‘90s, you networked your way into one job after the next, after the next. This whole concept of resume blasting came about in the 2000s - and guess what: it didn’t work then either.

Instead of resume blasting, apply for 1/2 the number of jobs, but go deeper with each attempt. Adjusting a few of your other beliefs will prove helpful.

“That job posting was perfect for me!”

So, let’s examine that from a few different perspectives.

The job is perfect for you because you’ve done that exact thing before. This is the strongest position. I want you to take a look at your resume. What does it actually SAY, because there’s a big difference between knowing in your mind that you’ve done the job, and your resume actually stating that.

Another scenario: the job is perfect for you because you have the skills and ability to perform the work. You’re going to have a slightly more difficult row to hoe here, but it is still reasonable to land the role you have your eye on.

This is where you’ll likely need to make some resume adjustments. It’s always a good idea to have a base version of your resume, then customize it to align with the particular opportunity. “Customize” means just that - it does not mean “overhaul.”

Look at the ad and identify the top 3-5 things you’ll be doing in the job. An easy way to identify these primary tasks is to ask yourself, “What will the employer want me to do that he’ll actually be writing me a check for?” That question will easily move you away from things like having “communication skills” and being a “team player,” to the true fundamentals of the role.

Once you identify those 3-5 tasks, make sure your resume says you can do them. What’s important here is to use the same language on your resume that you see in the ad - you literally need to speak the employer’s language.

“I went through the trouble of customizing my resume, so now they should call me.”

There is no prescribed number of steps to take in your job search. There is no equation. You don’t put your resume on a job board, then stop. You don’t customize your resume, then stop. You don’t apply, then stop.

You keep going until you land. And - dare I say it - keep searching for the 1st 2 weeks after you land that new job, just in case something doesn’t work out.

The next step to take is to contact the relevant person directly. There is zero reason for you to not do this, in these days of LinkedIn, Google, social media, and just the whole Internet. In fact, if you’re not reaching out directly to someone regarding EVERY opportunity, then you’re just not pursuing that opportunity.

If you don’t know the relevant person’s name from the posting, call up your best friend and mine, Google, and ask for “HR” or “recruiter” at IBM. Plug in the company as is appropriate for you. Tell that person why you’re interested in the company and why you’re perfect for the role.

Making direct contact is so crucial to your job search success. You can find out how to do is with a 95% success rate of funding and reaching the right person quickly. I go over this in, “5 Secret Job Search Hacks for the Age 50+ Job-Hunter!” Plus, there’s a super-simple 1-page action plan you can grab so you can do this on your own. Make sure to register today.