Why Is It So Hard To Find A Job?

After months of job hunting, you are still unemployed. Your friends and family think that you are not trying hard enough. They do not see your hours of preparation before interviews. All they see is the result and pass a judgment. It is easy to lose heart in such situations. The system is not rigged against you! Remind yourself that you are not the only person going through this so, why it is so hard to find a job.

Some people say that there are no jobs out there. Others might say they could not muster enough recommendations. And one can always blame their government. It is easy to sit and point fingers at people.

Avoid getting stuck in this vicious cycle of rejection and self-pity! But it would help if you also steered away from excessive self-doubt. It can hamper your confidence.

So, what should you do if you fail to land a job? Don’t worry; we are here to assist you. Sometimes, the reason you can’t find a job is not straightforward. It is not one but a mixed bag of reasons why you face rejection.

Why is it so hard to find a job? Let us analyze the various reasons.

Companies Need The Exact Experience

Companies are sometimes too particular with their recruitment. They keep looking for their mental image of the perfect candidate. The interviews get trickier and skill tests harder.

And the reason why companies can be picky is the competition. Applications pour in as soon as companies put out job listings. It is this competition that allows companies to be as particular as they like. Candidates don’t get any leeway during the recruitment process.

From the candidate’s point of view, this is hard to expect. It is not easy to gauge how tough the competition is. One might end up underestimating the competition and face rejection.

Most companies aren’t always concerned about hiring employees in the long run. The relationship between company and employee is not the same. Loyalty is not as important a factor as it used to be. It means that companies are looking for immediate value when they hire you.

This is another reason why companies seem to have gotten a lot pickier. In other words, companies know what they are looking for in a candidate. And they settle for nothing less!

Is this why you are facing repeated rejection? After all, companies getting pickier can answer why is it so hard to find a job?

It’s the Resume!

When did you last update your resume? The most successful job seekers pay close attention to their resumes. Your resume should showcase the value you bring as an employee. And only a well-crafted resume can do it for you.

When preparing your resume, try to think from the employer’s perspective. Does your resume explain how you can add value to their company? Or does it contain clichéd statements on your career aspirations?

Also, you should check your resume for any spelling or grammatical errors. Even minor mistakes can stop you from getting that job. Make sure your resume stands out from the crowd. It should be presentable as well as relevant. Be very clear with the points you mention in your resume.

Today’s corporate environment has no room for outdated resumes. And candidates often make the mistake of underestimating its importance. Even though the recruitment process has changed over the years, your resume is still a handy tool!

A good resume can help you stand apart. And a poor resume might be the answer to the question, “why is it so hard to find a job”.

Job Seekers Being Picky

We have already talked about companies being too picky. But sometimes, candidates also get too selective. They let too many suitable opportunities go and keep waiting for the “dream job.” You cannot afford to do this, especially if you are a struggling job seeker!

There is a chance that there are great job opportunities out there, but you don’t try to grab them. Or facing many rejections might have turned you apprehensive. This is the case with a significant percentage of struggling job seekers. And that’s when the cycle of denial and self-doubt creeps in.

Some job seekers close themselves to other options. This is where they get picky and particular about the job they want. Companies can afford to be picky, but a struggling job seeker cannot. This is something you must understand.

So, if there are opportunities around you, stretch your arm and grab them!

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Are you sure about what type of job you want? Or are you barking up the wrong tree?

Luckily for candidates, there are various types of jobs available today. Remote work has become a trend, and so have flexible jobs. There are creative companies today that pay well. These are luxuries that did not exist years ago.

Make sure you know what type of job will suit you. It is a possibility that you might be looking at all the wrong places.

Try to open yourself to the opportunities around you. After all, you cannot afford to be rigid when you are a struggling job seeker. And finding new job opportunities will help you sort out your career aspirations.

But you need to be patient through the entire process. Your self-evaluation and search for new opportunities might take some time. You must stay positive and keep learning!

Job Hopping Leads to Rejection

Employers do not consider job-hopping as unprofessional as they used to do. But frequent job-hopping can still get you rejected. Do you have a track record of switching jobs every few months? That might be your answer to why it is so hard to find a job.

Remember, switching a couple of jobs in a decade is not job-hopping. Here, we are talking about people who are frequent job hoppers. It only makes sense; if you are hopping too many jobs, you aren’t probably mastering any skills too.

It also shows that the person is not loyal to his job or the company and is also indecisive about what he wants. Employers find it impossible to trust their loyalty. And as a result, they get more rejections than offer letters.

So try your best to stay in your jobs for a longer period of time. It isn’t wrong to change jobs, but it’s also not very impressive to change them frequently.

Ways to Improve Your Chances of Getting Hired

Now we know the various reasons why it is hard to find a job. But how can you find your way around these obstacles? Here are some tips to improve your chances of landing a job:

• Understand the importance of having a polished resume. There is no excuse for putting in a resume that fails to showcase your value as an employee. Your employer should know everything you are about by going through your resume. And it would be best if you check your resume several times for any mistakes. Make your resume as polished and error-free as possible!
• Start leveraging your contacts in the industry for referrals. After working in any industry for a significant duration, we all build a network of contacts. When you are struggling to land a job, these contacts might be helpful. You can also use your network to learn about new job opportunities in your industry.
• Take a break and think about your career aspirations. We are not talking about the superficial aspects, such as your passion. Instead, it would be best if you tried to be more practical in your approach when job-hunting. Try to determine what type of jobs appeal to you and apply only for those!

Analyze, Improve, and Grab Your Opportunity

We discussed the various reasons why it is hard to find a job. There can be many other factors that stop you from getting the job you want. You might be aiming too high or selling yourself short.

The key is to analyze your job hunting. Remind yourself that you are not alone in this situation. Even a shred of self-pity can harm your chances of succeeding.

Analyzing, improving, and reaching for opportunities is the only way out. Think about what type of job you would enjoy doing. Catch up with your former colleagues or employers and have a chat with them.

Try to make positive changes in your personality. And even if you start doing this, you will see a massive shift in dealing with rejection. You will begin to aim at the improvement and spend less time pointing fingers.

So, if you are a struggling job seeker, start now! Find your answer to why it is so hard to find a job and start working a way around it. You won’t have to ask this question ever again if you find your way!

Christian T.

Christian has over ten years of experience in marketing agencies.​ ​Currently, he has been dedicating his time to a tech startup and also writing for major publications. He loves podcasts and reading to keep up with the latest trends in marketing.