Glenford Smith | Tired of rejection

QUESTION: I do not seem to do well at writing good cover letters or rÈsumÈs. I also need help in knowing how to do well at interviews because I may feel that I did well, but I am not getting any jobs. I am tired of being rejected or disappointed when they promise to call and they do not. I am at the end of my rope. Can you help me, please?

- D.E.

ANSWER: Thank you for your question.

To help people who are writing their rÈsumÈs and cover letters, I have set up a blog with samples. This was to avoid having to give the same advice over and over again. It will, at least, give you a fair idea of whether you are doing a decent job or not. You will find it at: www.glenfordsmithcareers.wordpress.com. You will find other career articles there that are likely to be useful, too.

There are a few other observations that I have made about what you have written that I would like to comment on. They regard your feelings of disappointment when you don't get a call-back. I will also comment on what to focus on apart from the cover letter and rÈsumÈ and why one of these points of focus might be more critical, quite frankly.

Do not let yourself become disappointed and go into despair about not hearing from the interviewer. Don't become so personally invested that a no response throws you off. I know this is easier said than done, but a tranquil mind beats one of turmoil and anxiety. Look at it this way: every no encountered brings you closer to a yes. Don't be stopped by a no.

Let's look at your job application process.

You can look at your job application as having three or four stages. I will use just three rÈsumÈ evaluation, which is where the interviewer gets and reviews your rÈsumÈ; job interview performance, which is how you answer questions and conduct yourself generally at the interview; and the most important, though often neglected, aspect of the process comes next, namely, psychological orientation, which takes place throughout.

TOO MUCH TIME

Many candidates put much of their time, energy, and focus into having a pretty rÈsumÈ and cover letter. That's all well and good. But it's what goes into your rÈsumÈ that heightens the chance of getting the anticipated call-back.

As noted in the article 'RÈsumÈ Sample' at the website cited above. don't think of your rÈsumÈ merely as a record of your work history, experience, qualifications, etc. Use it as a marketing tool. That requires that you begin to learn effective marketing and persuasion principles. This is the master skill in life, a career, and business.

It's not the person with the best qualification, experience, or brilliance who usually wins in life, a career, and business. It's usually the person who can sell and market himself or herself and products and services best. It's all about your power to persuade and influence.

Finally, a word on your psychological orientation. how you are using your mind is the most essential part of the interview process. No self-doubt or negativity. high confidence is the key. Cockiness, arrogance, and haughtiness must be avoided. they spell trouble to a seasoned interviewer.

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