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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can't get any first-round interviews (after a few a few months ago), between jobs, it's been about 6 months, late 40s. What would you do? I've not had this experience before; good resume, I'm told. This is more about the bad job market we're in, am I right? Are other people experiencing this too? Feeling defeated and want to work smartly on where I put my energy. Any tips/insights (especially from HR professionals) appreciated. Thanks. [/quote]

You need to network.  Almost anyone I know who has been hired the last year has had an "in" through their network.

A friend's spouse was laid off more than a year ago, but only wanted VP roles and salary range that quite frankly did not meet their skill set.  They had been at a Director level when laid off.  I offered to connect them with someone I knew, but this person only wanted a certain VP role that was open, not the Director role that would have been a better fit.  They kept pestering me for the private email and phone number of a C-Suite.  I refused and they didn't want to speak to someone in my network who would have been able to push their resume forward for the Director role.  So, after that I just didn't offer.  I found it rude and was concerned their attitude would harm my reputation.  I understand they were probably very stressed, but don't be pushy.  It is easier to find a job if you have a job.  The Director role was filled 6 months after the layoff.  Who knows if they would have got it, but if they were not "too good" I would have tried to connect them with more people.  It took them more than a year and they finally got an AVP title, but at a place I have never heard of and according to my friend (their spouse) they are unhappy.

Ask for help.  People want to help, honestly.  I have a couple friends who were laid off and we are all using our networks to connect them to people.  Try and have concrete asks "Hey Lisa, I am apply for X and Y role at A Company.  Would you mind talking with me for 15 minutes about what it is like to work there?"  Or my friend wants to move from corporate to pharma and I know three friends who are executives or senior leaders at 3 different pharma/bio companies.  I offered to connect them with one first and if they need another then go from there.  You need to be strategic in your asks, but ask!

Tighten your resume.  You need to tailor it to each role.  Write an excellent cover letter.

My spouse hires a lot-not in HR, but hires for their team and is on many hiring committees for different departments.  Spouse also reads every resume that comes through, but cover letters are also really important.  Some hiring managers  HR weed out the first round, so it is important to try and find someone to get your info in front of the hiring manager or someone on the committee.  Even if you have a former boss or coworker who could send a quick email just to flag you could be helpful.

Apply early.  Doesn't mean don't apply if a role has been up 30+ days, but I know many places that look almost within the first couple weeks a post is open.  [/quote]

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