Job search got you feeling ignored, rejected, down in the dumps?

Stop taking it personally.

Recently a colleague of mine put a call out asking “why do HR/Hiring Managers seem to ignore candidates, even the qualified ones?”

Good question – so why do qualified candidates (seem to) get ignored?

Yes, this is rejection, but it’s a form of rejection you can’t take personally. It’s business. It’s not your fault. And it’s not just about you. It’s about what’s right for all.

So you can’t possibly hope to know everything that’s going on in the minds of employers.
But here’s some insight to what might be affecting some of the ones saying no to you.

First, most managers (including HR professionals) are heavily overworked and have a great deal of pressure being put on them to recover ground lost during the past two recession years. Regaining market share, repaying debt, and creating new business models are catch-phrases you’ll be hearing a lot of.

Hire (extra) slow, fire fast is another one.

Managers are being put on notice to seek out only the A-level hires that not just can, but will, positively impact bottom line. Consequently interview processes and hiring decisions are, and will continue to be, well, just plain gruelling for both candidates and employers.

To add more pressure, many business owners and/or managers are in or approaching their retirement years and are being forced into a hiring process known as succession hiring. In my experience employers in this mode are typically looking for early to mid-career professionals who are well-educated, have good business sense and are highly coachable. They are in career-building mode and highly motivated to take on responsibility during the retirement transition. These are probably the most valued and sought after assets for corporate stake holders. Hence candidates who fit this profile will continue to be in growing demand over the next five to ten years --

This may make the job market seem more difficult for those who don't fit that 'ideal hire' mold. But it’s only a small part of what’s going on out there. Forces are at work daily, even hourly, changing the way business is being done and subsequent hiring decisions are being made.

Your job is to try to be there when the time is right.

Look hard, read news, follow events, seek out companies who are awarded new contracts. Pick up the phone and politely ask who you should be talking to, who is making hiring decisions, or what the hiring process is like.

Today you may be rejected, tomorrow could be when the right job comes along. It’s always as close as an email or phone call away.

Do not give up. Persistence does pay off. I guarantee it.