While the unemployment rate for the white-collar workers is still stuck at approximately 6 percent, many of the job seekers have been able to make productive searches that have given them new and exciting roles. Some people are even getting pay increases; but what is it that you are doing? If you have been out looking for a job but you still seem to be coming out empty, it makes sense to look over what you have been doing and see if there is anything that you can take away, or improve, to ensure that you are doing everything right.

You Aren’t Getting Enough Interviews:
Searching for a job is pretty much like dating. You have to kiss a lot of toads before you can find your prince, who is out there. This is solely a numbers games. If you are only relying on the Internet to help you find new job opportunities, then you are missing out. To actually conduct a productive search you have to first get your resume in the best possible shape, then you have to find who your target companies are and you must go after them with all of the strength inside of you. Reach out to your network, and beyond, that you have already established to help you identify hiring managers, then introduce yourself.

Your Story Is All Wrong:
Instead of droning on and on about useless stuff that the hiring managers don’t care about, make sure that you conveying your information in a concise and clear way. The recruiters and hiring managers don’t want to know all of your nitty gritty details of you entire work history. They would much rather hear about what you have achieved at each that you were at. When you focus on the specifics on the ways that you added value to the bottom line, then you can paint a much more compelling picture of you.

You Aren’t Following Up:
When you are out there seeking opportunities, it is very important for you to follow up. The hiring managers get very busy sometimes and if there isn’t an opening right away, then they may forget about you when the time comes for an opening. This is why it is so important that you check in a few weeks after the initial interview. Also make sure that you send the person that conducted the interview a thank you note.

You Lack The Right Skills:
If you are continually being turned down because you lack a certain skill or a certain credential, then don’t waste any more time. Enroll yourself into a training program, do some volunteer work that will lead you down a path to more, a better, experience, take an online class. You could even consider changing careers altogether. It will not be easy, but in the end, if you lack the requirements that are necessary to advance in your career, then you really don’t have a choice.