Why Most People Fail At Job Hunting

I'm working on a new book called "How To Get The Dream Job You Really Want, Need, and Deserve." If you like the title, let me know!

In doing some preparation for this book, I've come to realize that MOST people are actually working at jobs they DON'T LIKE very much. How about you? Do you like your job?

If the answer is somewhere between "as much as I like watching butter melt" and "as much as I enjoy being told to go play on the freeway" then the odds are high you'll be job hunting very soon. My Dad used to tell me:"If you want to go look for a new job just start talking about how much you hate the one you have and it will be a matter of time before you'll be out of your job!"

That leads you to something that terrifies most people: INTERVIEWING. It's almost as bad as public speaking, isn't it?

But before you can even GET an INTERVIEW (which most people dread) you've got to somehow GET IN to the RIGHT PERSON (hard to do if you want to work at Apple, Cisco, GE, or Ford, right? And, once you get in front of that person via phone, letter, or email, then you've got to convince them to at least meet with you. Most people find their job opportunity on Craig's List, Monster, HotJobs, or in the classified section in their local newspaper. They hear about a job that sounds sorta interesting, and call the number. Rather than ask "who is this?" They instead ask about the job and say they're calling to apply for the job #15304. (Damned classifieds never say enough, huh?!)

So, you put together a cover letter. You work on revising your resume. You have a friend or two edit your resume. You do have friends edit, right?

The cover letter is generic. You didn't research the company or know what they might be seeking. Your resume is written with an objective like "To find a job in the computer industry using my talents and skills."

You then carefully call HUMAN RESOURCES. Human resources then kindly asks you if you've submitted your cover letter and resume, so you do. You then call back in a week and/or receive a letter kindly informing you that if they are interested they will get back to you.

In other words, you lose and don't even have a clue whether anyone saw all that work you put in to this opportunity.

Grade: F = FAIL

STOP!

Is this the way you think about job hunting?

If so, you're taking the road highly traveled and setting yourself up to be a LOSER. Seriously, besides sitting at home on the couch doing nothing at all, this generic approach to job hunting is the most pathetic way to job hunt I've ever heard. Why? Because it is REACTIVE. Do you want to hire someone who waits for things to come to them (REACTIVE)? No, right?

Nope. I don't either. Therefore, the vast majority of people who send in their generic resume, email, or call human resources are SCREENED OUT as opportunities to actually HIRE because they were REACTIVE and showed POOR INITIATIVE into getting a job.

Does that make sense to you?

If you're nodding, then you'll be a candidate for my upcoming book. I'll be sharing a lot more about job hunting in the days ahead. Hope your hunt, in the meantime, is proactive, focused as what you want, and something you're PASSIONATE about doing!

Legit online jobs: click here!
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