“Why am I still
unemployed?”
1. You aren’t networking
enough. Almost all jobs these days are found
through networking. If you’re applying through job boards, searching the
internet, counting on recruiters or responding to want ads.. you’re not doing
enough. And as I’ve said elsewhere, your resume is almost useless.
2. You interview poorly. – We have interviewed few people for a job we have open. While this
is admittedly, a lower-level position, I’m surprised and shocked at how poorly
people interview. Chewing gum, not dressing for the interview, arguing, and
saying what you will and won’t do are all interview killers.
3. You’re pierced – Take out those facial piercings! Younger generation workers – this
really turns off old farts. I won’t hire someone with a facial pierce or
visible tattoo. It is unprofessional.
4. You didn’t shave – don’t go in with one of those “stubble beards” either actually have
beard or be clean-shaven. The people who are probably making the hiring
decision really really hate the three day stubble beards that are the norm
among young men.
5. You’re asking too much
money – Look there’s a great reset” going on.
Salaries are lower these days. We interviewed one person for a $30k job who had
been making $70k. Frankly we are not going to hire someone with that huge of a
salary gap. It isn’t the problem of employers; you have lived beyond your
means. Everyone is tight these days. Don’t go asking for a large salary and
tons of perks. You might as well have to bite the bullet and take much less to
get off of the unemployment rolls.
6. You are very
overqualified. – Realistically, I’m not going to
hire someone with 10+ years of experience with a great deal of responsibility
in their last job for an entry-level job. Entry-level jobs will be filled with
entry-level people. All you do when you apply for these things is annoy the
employer. I know you might be desperate. But it is better to consult or start
you own business, than to apply for entry-level jobs. When i see someone with
an extensive experience applying for an intern job. I’m not even going to
interview you. I know that they’ll be gone in a heartbeat if something if
something in their field comes along, and that they won’t stay and grow in the
company.
7. You smoke. – Many of us won’t hire smokers. The smell on their clothes drives
off customers. They get sick more often. They take excessive breaks. And,
frankly it’s a filthy and disgusting habit. Quit and quit now. You career
future, not to mention your life and health, may depend on it.
8. Your attitude stinks. – You might be coming across as having an arrogant or generally bad
attitude. If someone is not upbeat and positive, i will rapidly end the
interview.
9. You’re depressed. – Many people who have been laid off and can’t find work in a hurry
need anti-depressants. Get on them if you need them. Just be careful which ones
you use. Some depression is normal during a time when you’ve lost your job. But
if you’re always in a dark mood, crying, unmotivated and not sleeping, see you
family doctor at once.
10. You’re angry. – Your anger is not hurting the “jerks” who fired you or laid you
off. It is however, killing you physically and killing your career. Get over
it. Realistically, if you were fired, you most likely deserved it. If you were
laid off, it was nothing personal.. just a business decision. Deal with your
anger before interviewing.
11. You didn’t follow the
directions in the posting. – Do what you’re asked
to do in the job posting or by the hiring authority. If you’re not going to do
what your potential boss asks you to, you’re not going to do what he or she
asks you to when you’re employed, now, are you?
12. You missed an important
piece of the interviewing process. – We asked a
candidate we liked to come to one of our events and meet our clients. She wrote
us an e-mail and said she couldn’t make it, but wanted to continue to the next
phase of interviewing! This woman had posted she had been unemployed for two
years. No wonder.
13. You’re evasive. – if you’re asked a question, answer it. Don’t beat around the
bush, and don’t give stupid canned answers. A clear example of this is number
of people who say, when asked about a weakness, “I guess I’m just too much of a
self-motivated, self-starter who is too hard on himself” stupid answer.
14. You can’t communicate. – Don’t make the interviewer crowbar information out if you. If you can communicate well, you won’t get
employed. If you do happen, by some miracle, to get employed, you won’t last.
15. You’re unprepared. – I’ll be very clear. If you go up against one of my highly
prepared candidate, you’re going to lose and lose big. Don’t be cheap! Hire someone
to help you with interviewing, networking and finding the hidden jobs.
