Why don't people know job-hunting strategies for landing better paying jobs?

[Doublejm1]

Over the past few months, I've had friends and relatives -- all of which are looking for work -- come to me with questions pertaining to resumes, interviewing, and the like. They are all looking to land higher paying jobs.

I had to reiterate the same suggestions over and over again to different people. It got to the point where I felt inspired to write an article on the topic -- one that I could simply send to everyone en masse:

The article helped them a great deal, but here's what I don't understand: Why is it that so many people are clueless out there when it comes to polishing resumes, shining in interviews, etc.? Granted, I've had ample interview/job hunting experience, but it seems people just don't take the time to research the topic. And then they wonder why they aren't getting the jobs. It's not rocket science by any stretch.

Have you guys encountered the same?

[TheKayla]

I've actually noticed that too.. it's amazing how most people don't know the sheer basics of what's professional, good interviewing tactics, and what's appropriate. I've had friends apply for technical jobs with a @hotmail.com address, and others with 5-page resumes with their high school job experience listed, and wondering why they can't find anything! I even have a friend who just moved half way across the country who has yet to find a job in her field because she feels as though they're not offering her enough, and keep in mind she's looking for entry level and trying to get $90,000 starting ... it can be insane what people thing is reality!

[ua_guy]

I'm not surprised. Those skills aren't commonplace, most people learn them rather than possess them from the start. Unfortunately we teach everyone in this country that they have the muster to land high paying jobs. It's true that anyone can, but not everyone has those skills. In business, we call this mentorship. Some people seek and learn, others do not, and then they wonder why they are miserable and unlucky when it comes to finding work that suits them. Reaching out to someone "in the know" is the first step.

I believe professionalism and job hunting to be comparable to driving. Everyone thinks they're "above average" in terms of skill, but when put to the test, they're not that good. It takes a willing soul to be receptive to advice, lest they become defensive.

[Gailete]

I think there is more to finding jobs than what you have written. There is also the psychological aspect of job hunting. Did this person grow up expecting to get a good job, was everyone at home a job failure (never getting or keeping good jobs)? what message about jobs did they learn at home? I grew up in a home where top of the line grades were expected and you would think that would translate into a big push to college and a career - NOPE! Arby's and McDonalds was a waste of talent but there was just always something so greedy about trying to find a decent paying job. We kids were always in limbo about what to do with ourselves. Getting mixed signals constantly. I've always had trouble getting jobs even when I had the obvious experience. I've been at job interviews where the first interviewer has basically told me I have the job only to meet one more person and they are frosty towards you and you don't even get a rejection letter much less hear from them any other way.

With the understanding of these things now, I think I could ace pretty much any job interview, but before understanding that I had to sell myself and that I was actually worth selling, job interviews became distressing and nerve-wracking for me. Also for that polished job interview look, some of us have never had the appropriate clothes/shoes for the higher up interviews and if that is important to the company, the person won't get the job even if they are the most qualified only because they are wearing Walmart shoes instead of $800 Italian leather shoes.

These things impact interviews much more than we may be aware. I went to a job interview once where some one sat in front of me and the other person behind me and the person behind me asked most of the questions. I was getting a migraine from having to swivel my neck so much. Now I would just say, how about sitting so I can see you, but I think they wanted to see what I would do in such an odd situation and I didn't have enough self confidence to say it then.

[FrugalSensei]

I believe professionalism and job hunting to be comparable to driving. Everyone thinks they're "above average" in terms of skill, but when put to the test, they're not that good. It takes a willing soul to be receptive to advice, lest they become defensive.

I agree with ua_guy. I know many get defensive and sometimes just sulk or shy away rather than taking the proactive steps to learning and doing what needs to be done.

I think it is also a problem because many people don't tend to change jobs/positions often. If you have held a job for many years then you have to re-learn how to do things like writing a resume and performing in an interview and that can be tough for anyone who has not had to prove anything to anyone for many years, maybe even decades. It's tough on the ego to put yourself out for judgement whether on paper or in person. Unless you are very ambitious, it is also not common for most to keep their resumes and interviewing skills up to date and up to par. When the need arises it can be a painful process.

[Doublejm1]

I've actually noticed that too.. it's amazing how most people don't know the sheer basics of what's professional, good interviewing tactics, and what's appropriate. I've had friends apply for technical jobs with a @hotmail.com address, and others with 5-page resumes with their high school job experience listed, and wondering why they can't find anything! I even have a friend who just moved half way across the country who has yet to find a job in her field because she feels as though they're not offering her enough, and keep in mind she's looking for entry level and trying to get $90,000 starting ... it can be insane what people thing is reality!

You're right. It seems people out there don't know the first thing about applying and interviewing for jobs. $90,000 for an entry level position? That's crazy!

[Gailete]

she's looking for entry level and trying to get $90,000 starting ... it can be insane what people thing is reality!

One of my last nursing jobs I had moved up to finally being basically second in charge. The boss would have me run my eye over resumes that were faxed in. I couldn't believe the what we got from new nursing grads. They wanted Monday through Friday, 9-5 jobs and would quote that they had 720 hours clinical experience. Well since we kept getting that same number over and over, we realized pretty quick that these girls were talking about their supervised student clinical work None of them had ever worked yet without supervision and yet they wanted to walk into a job with the perks of an experienced nurse (it can take years for some nurses to get first shift and straight Monday through Friday even harder. And of course go immediately from being supervised to being in charge of what was going on. Frightening and insane. One girl got hired and showed up late her first day, showed up late her second day and I don't think lasted more than a week. Another one kept 'forgetting' her glasses so she didn't have to work alone since she couldn't read her medication chart and then found every excuse not to work on second shift when assigned. Why not be honest from the get go about the ability or desire to work a different shift or desire to actually work in that particular situation. It was a country prison which some couldn't handle although I loved it.

I am so glad I'm done with job interviews although I feel I would do much better now if I had to do one.

[Thrif-t]

Ugh, some people don't know because they've never had the experience in it. Like me I had one job all thru college; waitress. Made enough money to put me thru school, was close to home had good hours, no reason to ever leave. Then when I graduated college I got a job at a small business that my sorority advisor's husband owned. Didn't really interview, came in and talked to him a little and I was hired, but not a real interview. That job just wasn't a good fit so a year later a relative got me into a company where they worked. I was there 11 years. Would still be there but my boss left for another job and made me an offer I couldn't refuse to follow him. Again no interview and no resume. Now I've been at this job 12 years and honestly never experienced the whole interviewing process.

My situation probably isn't typical, I'm a mother of 3 and only want to work part time. I have no aspirations to have a career. Just a good part-time 8-4 job so that I can do my #1 job which is be a mom.

If I ever lost this job, I think I'd just sign up at a temp place and see if I'd fall into a job that way. I'm terrified of having to interview and don't think I'd be too good at it, but I'm a good worker and have a good work ethic, so I think my chances would be better if they got to try me out first to see what I can do.

[Wino]

I'm the guy who is on the other side of the desk when you interview. I'm the one who asks questions and decides whether or not you'll be hired. Most of my interviews are with engineers, designer/draftsmen, experienced electricians or technicians, and administrative positions.

First rule: Don't try to BS your way through the interview. Chances are, I'm asking you questions that I know the answers to. If you treat it like a test where you need to get 6 out of 10 correct to "pass," you're wrong. If you don't know the answer, the best thing to say is, "I don't know, but if I were to have to make a guess..."

Second rule: Act like you want the job. I'm not hiring you to do you a favor. I won't be paying you so you'll have money to buy a new car. I'm hiring you to do tasks that I need accomplished.

Third rule: You only get one chance to make a first impression. If you show up in jeans and a T-shirt, you aren't getting hired. I hire professionals, and professionals look professional. If you think you are so good that you can be slovenly, then start your own business.

Fourth rule: You're paid based on your abilities, not your grades. This is a tough one for a recently-graduated engineer. You've shown you have some brains, and that you can handle reading and memorization. I need someone who can solve problems and make decisions. That's what engineers do. I will pay you entry-level wages for at least a year, until you prove you can do the job. Your degree got you to the interview. That's all it's worth. Everything else is contingent on you doing the tasks you are assigned.

Fifth rule: Smile. I don't want someone who grumbles all day long. A smile goes a long way to say, "I'm a cheerful person who won't be a burden to work around."