A jump in unemployment numbers, coupled with the Bureau of Labor Statistics new figures on length of unemployment (average 26.2 weeks) mean that job seekers are getting desperate and that desperation comes across to employers who in turn reject the desperate candidate. Vicious cycle.
Forbes recent article is full of stories of what not to do when your search has gone on too long and you are desperate. Forbes interviewed New York career coach Eileen Wolkstein and Scott Robinson of Kensingnton International in Chicago.
Here is a summary of some of the articles key points:
- Don't bombard the employer with emails- especially those that sound pushy or show you are annoyed or anxious or emotional.
- Don't oversell yourself in an interview- listen more than you speak. Robinson stressed that no answer should last longer than one minute.
- Don't ask questions that have already been answered during the interview. Again, that demonstrates poor listening skills.
- Don't confess that you haven't been doing anything for awhile.
- Remember professional etiquette, send Thank You letters.
Knowing that our emotions can get the best of us sometimes, it is important to think of ways of alleviating financial stress. It is also important to get a second opinion before you send an email or attempt an aggressive job search strategy.
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