It is all too common to become disillusioned during the job-hunting process, we often get caught up in the moment when applying for our dream job, and in many cases, after filling out multiple applications, we don’t receive a single reply from a potential employer. Maintaining a positive attitude in your job search can be a challenging endeavour. Understanding the competition in your area of expertise and managing your expectations can transform your fortunes and keep you focused in the right direction.
Many students find that the highs and lows of the process can be daunting. You are not alone. If the job seeker takes the time to view the experience through an alternative lens, it is all part of a learning experience and includes an opportunity for personal growth. An average job posting gets about 250 resumes. Still, most employers will shortlist fewer than ten candidates, and 75% of resumes don’t get past the initial screen.
Any rejection is an opportunity to develop as an individual and learn from the experience. Sometimes it is not just the competition but the sheer volume of resumes that will have yours overlooked. According to Forge Recruitment, a specialist legal recruiting firm, we should understand these four steps to managing our expectations in our job search, which can be applied to any industry:
1. It is unrealistic to think you will apply for one job, secure an interview, and be offered the position.
- Know the job market and understand where you fit in.
- Come to terms with what you can do without and be flexible.
- Apply to jobs for which you have relevant experience and/or skills.
A Growth Mindset
When thinking of the complex process of job searching, we must learn to be resilient and develop a growth mindset; a term conceived by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck and her colleagues. A growth mindset is a belief that a person’s capacities and talents can be improved over time. Individuals with a growth mindset believe that they can get smarter, stronger, and more talented by putting in time and effort. According to Malcom Gladwell in his bestselling book “Outliers”, it takes 10,000 hours of intense practice to master complex skills. Gladwell based his 10,000-hour rule on the research done by the scientist K. Anders Ericcson. Dr. Ericcson conducted numerous studies on the power of practice and believed practice could take an individual’s game to another level.
If practice makes perfect, then developing these life skills can be viewed with a positive approach. The time and energy required to invest in yourself and secure your ideal position will set you up for future opportunities and less frustration in subsequent job searches. You certainly don’t need to put in 10,000 hours to see results! Multiple small changes (or tweaks) to your current approach can make all the difference. Remember, if you had to eat an elephant, you could do it by taking one bite at a time!
If you are having challenges in your job search and need advice from our team of Career Advisors, please reach out today. We can help you identify and work on the small steps that will get you there!
Written By Andrew Woods, Business Development Specialist, Yorkville University