What No One Tells You About Job Searching 

By Perminus Wainaina

Lillian interviewed for a job that she really wanted. For her, it was the perfect role at her dream company. She worked hard to prepare for the interview and even though she was nervous on the day of the interview, she felt ready.

“I was at ease with the interviewers and felt we developed a strong rapport. I left the office sure I’d made a good impression–only to find out a few days later that they hired someone else,” she says.

She was devastated and disappointed.

This was a critical lesson for her.

When looking for a new job opportunity, you want to believe that you will be presented with many options from which to choose. The hard reality, however, is that there is so much outside of your control in a job search from what openings are out there, to who else is in the running, to whether your interviewer is having a bad day.

This may frustrate you, especially when you are not getting any feedback from a potential employer. However, a much better way to spend your time and energy is to focus on the parts that are within your control and not what is out of your control.

What does no one tell you about job searching?

1. You can’t control the employer, but you can control your efforts

As a job seeker, many times you may feel like you have been looking for jobs everywhere without much success.

Sometimes, it may feel like those around you are getting jobs quite fast, but they have been putting in effort such as updating CVs, networking, and even personal branding.

You may not be what the employer is looking for, but you can make sure that you devote enough time to make every job application. Ultimately, your efforts will bear fruit.

2. The job market is uncertain, but you can control how you react to the uncertainties

During one of my previous coaching sessions, I met a man who was 27 and felt like a failure, having not secured any job since graduating at 22. His friends had all gotten jobs and this added to his pressure. He later mentioned that his friends had been interns when they joined the different companies they were working for. He, on the other hand, had taken a break after graduating. When he was finally ready to work, it was hard to get a job.

The job market is constantly changing. Knowing what is currently trending in the job market will help you have a targeted job search. If you possess transferrable skills, you can research the roles where you could use them in a new sector.

A good way to know whether it’s the change in the job market or how you are applying is to reach out to a career advisor or mentor. Talk to them about the landscape.

Are they seeing a lack of open roles? Are there certain things that help other people stand out and get hired despite this? Find out from them.

3. You Can’t Control The Competition, but you can control your preparation & performance

Sometimes, your competition is more qualified than you are. While you may be qualified for the role you are applying for, your competition has more experience than you do. In this case, there is nothing more you can do differently.

However, when you have been invited for an interview, focus on how much you can be as prepared as possible.

Talking about yourself, your experience, and your interests can feel unnatural, and it’s hard to remember examples of past projects offhand. Practicing aloud, either by yourself, with a trusted friend, or during an interview coaching session will help you make the best possible impression when speaking with someone new.

In The End,

While you don’t have full control over everything in your job search, you can uphold high expectations for yourself and your career. Keep your spirits up by knowing that you are doing what you can do and that you’re prepared and ready. All the best!

Perminus Wainaina is the C.E.O and Managing Partner at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading HR consultancy firm based in Westlands. Through career mentorship programs, he assists mid-level and senior professionals get solutions to complex and challenging career issues that they are facing.