Why Is Finding a New Job So Hard? 4 Reasons

The trials and tribulations of finding a new role is a common theme for many job seekers. But why is it such a challenge to obtain a new role, especially when we are told that the job market is littered with open roles and anyone can walk into any position of their choosing?!

Hearing those words makes me do a combination of frustrated sighs and snickering. Why? Because I know that this is not true – yes, there are plenty of job openings, but it does not mean any job you so desire will be offered to you in a blink of an eye. No no, you have to work for it, be prepared for a number of obstacles, rejections and game changes along the way to a job offer.

But why? Why is it such an uphill battle to get a new role? Well, here are four reasons and how to overcome them.

Job Competition Can Make Finding a New Job Harder

You are not the only one applying to the role and you are not the only one who would make a good fit for the position.

Whilst I have heard there is a one for one in the employment market, meaning for every job seeker there is an open job, this statistic does not take into consideration that not every job open is one that people want, have skills for or are even able to easily find online to apply to. So it is not uncommon for 100 or more people apply to the same role as you.

So how do you skip the cue and get noticed over the masses? Take proactive action by picking up the phone and making yourself know via an old fashion call.

Want a little more modern take on it? Then connect via LinkedIn, which is what most companies are using these days to find new talent, and slip into the hiring managers DMs. Let them know you are interested in the open role and how you believe you will be a great fit and an assist to the organisation. If you’re not sure how to properly brand yourself or use LinkedIn, we can help you out – give us a call today to find out how!

Your Resume Can Affect Your Job Search

Sorry to say, but your resume may just not be meeting the selection criteria. The structure of your resume may be all wrong, it reads horribly, you are not highlighting your skills and thus it is rejected by the hiring manager.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It is actually very difficult to write a strong, eye catching resume. At the end of the day your personal expertise is in your industry, not in the recruitment and HR field. So of course, how are you to be expected to know how to sell yourself in a Word document that requires a certain formula and layout. However, it does not change the fact that there is an expected etiquette when it comes to resumes.

It is on you to ensure your resume meets the selection criteria and structure that all hiring managers are accustomed to.

If you need help in your resume writing, then find out how My Career Angels, can be the game changers you seek. Get the resume you need here.

Your Job Search Strategy May Be Too Limited

The reality is, many of us are stuck doing the same thing over and over. We have our preferred way of finding a job, it has worked for us in the past, we are familiar with it and comfortable sticking to one method and one method alone.

However, with more and more job searching platforms available, more and more jobs are being spread out to different avenues. Not everything is under the one roof any longer. For example, once upon a time Seek was the biggest and most used job search engine. Whilst it is still a massive platform, competition has increased and many are turning to Indeed, CareerOne, Glass door and more. On top of this, job search engines which are designed for specific industries are now making it even easier to find the right roles without the clutter of other industries on the platform.

Many companies are working within a budget (looking for a new employee is costly) so if they can find ways to minimise expenses they will. This is why social media such as FaceBook, is making a big impact in the employment game. Being primarily a free platform why wouldn’t hiring manager use it?

Solution – consider all your job searching avenues. List them down and filter through each platform, this includes Networking, Job Search Engines, Social Media, direct company websites and LinkedIn.

Another job searching obstacle you may face is not applying to the right roles. You have not considered the positions and whether they align with your current skills, experience and needs. A hiring manager can see if you are just applying for the sake of applying.

Be mindful of the roles you consider. Make sure that they are not too left of field. Otherwise it looks like you are applying to ANY role without much thought. Before you apply to any job, question if it aligns with what you are looking for and if you meet the basic selection criteria.

Selling Yourself Matters When Finding a New Job

When you are looking for a new role, having exceptional skills and experience is not good enough – not if you can’t sell them in the best light. This is where you need to put on your sales person hat and promote yourself like the Greatest Showman.

The hiring manager does not know what you have done and what you are capable of if you do not tell them. So communication is key. You need to be able to express yourself clearly on paper (resume) and verbally in a job interview.

On top of this, you need to establish a connection / relationship with the hiring manager. Body language, tone and speed of voice, presentation and the way you answer the questions all matter.

The best way is to practise your responses, research the industry, company and role before the interview, come prepared with stories and experience to relate to, know your value and your key skills that you can bring to the role that will benefit the company.

Want to find out how you will go at your next job interview? Then take our quiz here

My Career Angels is able to help and support your interview journey with our Interview Coaching package.

Do not stress if you feel you are ticking some or all four of these boxes resulting in struggles in getting a job offer. Many of us make these errors, whether it is applying to the wrong roles, not expanding our search options, resume not meeting the selection criteria and more. Adapt the recommended changes to your job search journey to see some improved results. It may be the difference you need to get that job offer.

If you feel you need assistance with your job searching journey, then reach out to My Career Angels for a free 30 minute discovery call. The call is for us to get to know you and your needs, provide career advice and solutions on the spot, as well as see if any of our coaching services will help you with your career journey.

Book in your free call today.

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Why is finding a new job so hard?

Finding a new job can take time, especially when there is a lot of competition for the roles you want. Every employer is looking for something slightly different, and the hiring process can also involve several stages. Your resume, the way you search for jobs and how clearly you explain your experience can all make a difference.

How can I improve my chances of finding a new job?

Focus on roles that are a good match for your skills and experience. Tailor your resume for each role, try more than one way of finding jobs, keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and spend time preparing before interviews.

Should I use more than one job search method?

Yes. Jobs can be advertised on job search websites, company websites, LinkedIn and social media, and some opportunities come through professional connections. Using a few different methods gives you a better chance of finding roles you might otherwise miss.

Why am I applying for jobs but not getting interviews?

There could be a few reasons. Your resume might not be showing clearly enough how your experience matches the role, you might be applying for jobs that are not quite the right fit, or there may simply be a lot of competition. It is worth looking at the roles you are applying for and checking whether your resume clearly covers the skills and experience they are asking for.

How important is my resume when finding a new job?

Your resume is often one of the first things an employer sees, so it needs to make your experience easy to understand. Keep it clear, relevant to the role and focused on the skills, experience and results that matter most for the position.

Does LinkedIn help when looking for a new job?

Yes, it can. LinkedIn can help you find job openings, learn more about companies, build professional connections and make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to find you.

How can I prepare for a job interview?

Start by learning about the company and the role, then go back through the job description and think about examples from your experience that show you can do the job. Practising how you will explain those examples can also help you feel more comfortable and answer questions more clearly in the interview.

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Why Is Finding a New Job So Hard? 4 Reasons

Job Competition Can Make Finding a New Job Harder

Your Resume Can Affect Your Job Search

Your Job Search Strategy May Be Too Limited

Selling Yourself Matters When Finding a New Job