Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Job hunting: the most demeaning activity ever?

cnwoods · 10-03-2009, 08:59 PM

I was in the same boat as you, just in a different country. I ended up signing up with temp agencies and letting them find me short term jobs, but then I wasn't considered for permanent ones because of my "unstable job history" (I'd also paid my way through college with casual & temp work). I also lived in a regional area with higher than usual unemployment. I got sick of being told I was overqualified for positions, or underexperienced. One interviewer told me I was 'too intelligent' - I went home and wondered how many brain cells I'd have to kill to find work.

In the end I did survive. I don't know how many people starve over there, but if you look around locally there are bound to be charities and/or government agencies that can help you out short term, or renegotiate your loan situation. The main job hunting lessons I learnt, though, that I'll share with you here:

Jobhunting is a numbers game. For every 100 applications you put in, you might get 10 interviews, and 1 offer. Keep going. I used a software tool called 'Resume Maker Deluxe'
The jobs go to the people who appear as though they least need it. We want what we think we can't have, in preference to what someone's trying to push on us. Employers are no exception. If you appear needy, you can guarantee you won't get the offer.
You'll only get offers based on what you believe you're worth. If there's a disconnect between what you believe your value level is, and what's on offer, you won't get through
The clearer the picture you have of what you want, the quicker you'll get it. Not "I'll settle for..." - there's no attachment or commitment to something like that. Work out your dream assignment and start chasing those companies, whether they have something on offer or not. Brush up your negotiating skills and be persistent. It may not end in a paid job, but even if it gets you that work experience you're a step closer than you were.

10-03-2009, 08:59 PM	#72 (permalink)
cnwoods Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 48	I was in the same boat as you, just in a different country. I ended up signing up with temp agencies and letting them find me short term jobs, but then I wasn't considered for permanent ones because of my "unstable job history" (I'd also paid my way through college with casual & temp work). I also lived in a regional area with higher than usual unemployment. I got sick of being told I was overqualified for positions, or underexperienced. One interviewer told me I was 'too intelligent' - I went home and wondered how many brain cells I'd have to kill to find work. In the end I did survive. I don't know how many people starve over there, but if you look around locally there are bound to be charities and/or government agencies that can help you out short term, or renegotiate your loan situation. The main job hunting lessons I learnt, though, that I'll share with you here: Jobhunting is a numbers game. For every 100 applications you put in, you might get 10 interviews, and 1 offer. Keep going. I used a software tool called 'Resume Maker Deluxe' The jobs go to the people who appear as though they least need it. We want what we think we can't have, in preference to what someone's trying to push on us. Employers are no exception. If you appear needy, you can guarantee you won't get the offer. You'll only get offers based on what you believe you're worth. If there's a disconnect between what you believe your value level is, and what's on offer, you won't get through The clearer the picture you have of what you want, the quicker you'll get it. Not "I'll settle for..." - there's no attachment or commitment to something like that. Work out your dream assignment and start chasing those companies, whether they have something on offer or not. Brush up your negotiating skills and be persistent. It may not end in a paid job, but even if it gets you that work experience you're a step closer than you were.