The Waiting is the Hardest Part

It's the worst. You send in your resume for that perfect job. You two are made for each other - you just know it. Then something happens. You wait....and wait....and wait for a response. Any response.

You wrack your brain with questions: Where did my resume go? Did my employer-to-be get it? Did anyone even look at it? Is there a black hole I don't know about? It can be a maddening experience, and believe me, I have been there.

Job hunting is not the time to doubt yourself and worry over your abilities. One of the best strategies in successful job hunting is learning how to maintain your confidence, energy and outlook that the right job will come along, no matter how deafening the silence.

Since I have been there (more than once) I can share a few strategies for staying positive and by all means, moving forward!

1. Don't let a non-responder dampen your spirits. Remember there are loads of employers out there looking for your skills. So when you send in your resume for that perfect position, don't expect that you will be their perfect candidate. Recruiting software and screening systems do a great job in limiting the number of candidates an employer will invite in. If your resume doesn't cut the mustard, you might be shelved very early on. Unless you ask (and it is highly doubtful you will get any answer) you will not know why your resume was not selected for an interview.
2. Follow-up. If you are bemoaning the lack of follow-up (can't they let me know they GOT my resume?!?) about a job you have applied for and really feel this employer would be missing out by not talking with you, give them a call. This might sound unconventional, but following up with the HR department and inquiring about the status of the job (or, the receipt of your resume) demonstrates imitative and interest. I have left plenty of creative self-marketing messages on voice mails which have allowed me to stand out and often get an interview. Once I even got the job!
3. Identify an internal contact. The #1 way to get a job is through networking. If you are really interested in that job and that employer, it makes sense to try and find someone internally who you can schedule an informational interview with or find out more about the job and the company. Informational interviews are excellent methods by which to get yourself noticed and remembered, and who knows...you just might get the response you are looking for in the form of a job offer!