It seems like only a few months ago when recruiters could not get enough applications to fill the mountains of jobs that were available.  

Now they have a mountain of candidates to choose from but not enough jobs to go around.

How times change! 

Anybody who has been through a recession before will tell you that the role reversal produces unwanted results for job seekers.  Most notably, so many companies and recriters just never contact you after you have dilligently completed all of the steps in the recruitment process.

For some people, this is frustrating and for others humilliating.  For others still, it makes them feel value-less and some folks get very angry.

Whilst your first reaction might be to scream, to cause bodily harm to others or to kick the cat, it is important to know what to expect.  I will call this, “How Life Works” and to deal with the situation in the most productive and advantageous way possible.

First things first

•  Times have changed - recruiters will often not get back to you no matter how qualified you think you are for the job - you need to expect this.
• Keep Applying for Jobs - persist, persist, persist - even in the face of extreme frustration.  As long as you keep applying for jobs you have a shot.  The moment you stop, you guarantee failure.
• Carefully read and execute the instructions in the advertisement…..if it says do not call, do not call…if says Quote Job Number 123 in the subject line, then make sure you execute perfectly
• Where possible and not expressly prohibited, follow up your first communication eg, send an email then follow up with a telephone call
• Match yourself to the employers requirements…when times were good, you could often get away with meeting some key requirements but not all.  Now that employers have an excess of candidates that meet ALL of their requirements to choose from, it is important to select jobs to apply for where you are a solid match to the requirements.

If you find yourself unemployed it is important to keep your mind, body and soul in good health.  The best way to look after yourself mentally is to adjust your expectations to match ”How Life Works” - instead of being angry that 5 out of ten recruiters never even acknoledged your application, be happy that the other five did!.

People that do this will have the best chance of remaining confident and positive when they are interviewing.  

And it is most likely those people that will be selected for employment.