Glenford Smith | Target your job search

QUESTION: I enjoy reading your columns whenever they are published in the Career Section of The Sunday Gleaner, because I find the advice you give helpful and I try to implement your suggestions in my own endeavours. I am currently employed in a full time job, but I am still in search of new opportunities. I have had three job interviews and they have all ended in failure. The other organisations have also responded unfavourably. So I am left asking the question: Is my current employment status discouraging other employers from offering me a job? G. Duncan

CAREERS: Thanks for your question and for reading the Career section of The Sunday Gleaner. It is very pleasing that you find it helpful. Your letter was condensed because of the length.

Regarding your question, I am doubtful whether a prospective employer is turned off from offering you a job because you are already employed. In fact, the consensus is that you are likely to be more appealing to employees because you do have a job. Someone without a job can give the appearance of desperation to an employer. When you have a job, however, you come across as confident, assured and can wait until you get the right opportunity.

You are right in seeking new opportunities, if you are not presently pleased with the job. You must make sure though, that you are completely specific about what the new opportunity entails. I will have more to say on this.

Three job interviews is certainly not cause for alarm. Although it certainly is a good sign that you want to check whether you are doing something wrong. In that regard, I welcome your query.

You have said in your email that you have the requisite qualifications and would therefore hope to be offered at least an entry level position. You cited your two friends, who you said resigned from their employers and in short order they picked up new jobs. However, you seem not to have their good fortune.

They are not getting these jobs because employers prefer people with experience, like you seem to think. Sure, employers would always prefer the employee with the relevant experience. But that is not a deciding factor in their employment decisions.

What is more likely is that you have not impressed the employers enough during the interview stage. There are many factors that drive the decision to choose someone. Search for my articles online, to get a sense of what some of those factors are. What I would like you to be aware of is the importance of knowing what you want and self-confidence.

You see, you can't hit a target you can't see. You have to target your job search by getting specific about the type of job want. Research it and the companies that offer the type of job you would want. Answer the question: What is the biggest problem or frustration they're facing in this industry? This is the orientation of getting a job.

Often times, it is not the job candidate with the best qualifications who gets the job; it is those who present themselves with the most self-confidence and self-assurance.

n Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist. He is the author of 'From Problems to Power' and co-author of 'Profile of Excellence'. glenfordsmith@yahoo.com