1,000 Resumes and a Spotty Job History

Terita writes:

I have a spotty career history. My chosen major in college was public relations, and after two positions in the field I realize that this is NOT what I want to do.

I have spent the past 10 months looking for a job, and I have 4 calls and two interviews to show for it. Needless to say I am desperate to find out what it is that I am doing wrong, and why I can’t even seem to get an interview. I have sent out over 1,000 resumes since then.

The Career Doctor responds:

First, let me say how sorry I am that you have not been able to find your career niche; I know it can be a frustrating time, especially when coupled with job-search struggles. And, as you have so unfortunately learned, the shotgun approach to job-hunting — sending volumes of resumes to an unfocused group of employers — almost never leads to any kind of job-search success.

So you know what you don’t want to do, but what is it you DO want to do? If you don’t have the answer, you need to stop everything and first find some acceptable job and career paths. Do some self-assessment. Work with the career services professionals from your alma mater.

Finally, you need to learn how to find a job. It’s a lot harder than mailing out lots of resumes, but the returns are much greater. You’ll want to build and use your network of contacts, you’ll want to go after the hidden job market, and you’ll need to be more focused on the jobs you want — and the process you use to find them and go after them. Go to QuintCareers.com to get more details about job-hunting methods.

I especially recommend you read my article, 15 Myths and Misconceptions About Job-Hunting, as well as another great article, written by my partner Katharine Hansen: Ten Questions to Ask Yourself if You Still Haven’t Found a Job. Both articles are published on Quintessential Careers.