The successful job seeker understands that a systematic campaign approach is necessary, that a tight job market requires an "all-out" effort in following up job leads, and that keen competition in the marketplace will cause job rejections for even the most qualified candidates.
The successful job search is fueled by four healthy traits:
- understanding,
- self-confidence,
- patience, and
- perseverance.
It is healthy to pursue each job lead with interest and enthusiasm, but unhealthy to become overly involved or preoccupied with any particular job possibility. Preoccupation tends to drain energies that might otherwise be used to pursue other good job leads. Understand the need for controlling your worries about not landing jobs that seem particularly interesting, realizing that worry is a handicapping trait. Also, recognize that many job rejections are received by very qualified people and do not in any way suggest personal inadequacy or incompetence. Of course, if job rejections become the predominant response from prospects, then examine the techniques you are using and make any adjustments necessary.
With full confidence in yourself and in your job-getting skills, and convinced that you will land a good job-only one job is necessary-you will be sufficiently prepared to overcome any minor disappointments produced by letters of rejection.
Once you have done your best to follow up a job lead, time is necessary for your credentials to be fully considered. Recognize that the process of selecting job candidates does take time, and demonstrate patience.
Do not waste your time by applying to only a small number of prospective employers and impatiently hoping for quick responses. Instead, recognize that you can increase your chances of getting favorable responses when you increase the number of job leads that are followed up. Perseverance is the key word here. While you wait for some applications to be processed, continue to apply for other jobs. Following up job leads should become a regular and continual planned activity. As you persevere in applying for various positions, you begin to accumulate a host of new job possibilities.
In conclusion, understand that your energies should be spent in productive activities and not in unproductive worry. Realize that rejection in the job-search process is normal and experienced by even the most qualified people. Maintain a high level of self-confidence throughout your search; for without this, you will surely fail. Once you have done all that is necessary in following up a job lead, be patient and allow time to run its expected course. Finally, use your job-search time prudently and continue to persevere in expanding your job opportunities.
Job-Search Records and Control
Effective control over your job search results from the keeping of good records. A good record-keeping system includes:
- Job-Search Journal,
- File Folder of Active Correspondence,
- File Folder of Inactive Correspondence, and
- File Folder of Job Documents.
Each time you follow up a job lead with an application letter-resume packet, enter the following information in the Journal:
- Date Sent
- Name of Company and Location
- Job Title
- Job Lead
In addition, record the nature and dates of all subsequent contacts with prospective employers that result from your initial mailings. Below is an illustration of a Journal with five sample entries:
Devise a journal form that works for you, adding any extra columns you feel necessary for optimum control. By periodically checking through recorded entries, you will be able to make adjustments in your campaigns whenever necessary.
Your File Folder of Active Correspondence should contain copies of correspondence with prospective employers. Place copies of initial job correspondence behind one another in chronological order, according to the dates sent. As you receive letters back from employers, pull the copies of letters you have sent and staple their letters to yours. If an employer contacts you by phone, write up the key points of the conversation and staple this sheet of paper to your original letter. In this way, records of all communications are maintained in a well-organized fashion and can be used for reference at a later time if necessary.
It is unnecessary to file copies of reproduced resumes or application letters in this folder. Instead, on a blank sheet of paper indicate the particular resume or letter form that was sent and insert that paper into your file folder.
Whenever you are turned down, remove the appropriate letters from the Active Correspondence file, staple the letter of rejection to them, and then insert this correspondence in the File Folder of Inactive Correspondence.
Keep your important job-search documents in a separate File Folder of Job Documents. Such documents include copies of resumes, application letters, transcripts, and any other material that you may have to send to prospective employers.
The simple record-keeping system suggested here helps you to organize all essential communications of the job search and places you in control.
