Dear Dr. Lisa:

I am so frustrated. Everyone says it’s a great economy. Every time I apply for positions, I can’t seem to land. I get interviews but not chosen. I am not sure why this is happening. I am starting to lose hope. I am ready and qualified. Why am I not getting the yes???

Signed,

My Hope is Fading Fast

 

Dear My Hope is Fading Fast:

Take heart – you are getting interviews. That is a huge positive in this scenario. We do need to figure out why you are not being selected. Here are some suggestions you can use to explore the answer.

Can you:

• Reach out to one of the recruiters you met with, and see if they will give you any feedback? I have done this and been given helpful hints letting me know I didn’t blow it, plus suggestions on my ideal positioning in the marketplace. In your case, they may or may not. It is worth asking.
• Do some sleuthing and see who was hired when you were not? Determine if their profile gives any clues to explain the outcomes – again more insight into your competitive positioning.
• Make sure you are doing some mock interviewing and practicing answers to ensure they land well?
• Determine how well-known you are? Being known by hiring managers and recruiters can be very helpful in landing, particularly for senior positions. Are you networking? Do they know you?
• Keep applying? It’s a numbers game, even in a good economy. Keep getting interviews and you will land!

Don’t lose hope. Being hopeless is a bummer. Really, it’s hard to quit and decide there is no hope. There is always hope. Tomorrow could be the day or maybe it’s the day or year after that, but if you quit, you never get to it. I would rather take a year to do it than never get there. Keep your hope.

Good Luck,

Dr. Lisa

P.S. Your theme song is, “With a Little Help from My Friends” by The Beatles.