4 Job Search Excuses That Just Dont Cut It

4 Job Search Excuses That Just Dont Cut It4 Job Search Excuses That Just Dont Cut ItIf youre looking for a job and feeling like its taking a while, you may be right. Thats because a job search wont happen overnight. While a new job wont simply land in your lap a week (or even a month) from today, your efforts will certainly pay off in the end. Youll need to stick to the course, be persistent and follow through to realize that. When I worked in recruiting and advised hiring managers who wanted to hire candidates extremely quickly, I repeatedly explained timing and expectations regarding the job posting, interview process and background check all of which took a minimum of six to eight weeks in a perfect world. The process takes time, so dont give up on your job search during this time period. In reality, the search is probably successful and progress is being made. It may feel challenging to recognize strides when theyre muddled between thoughts and beliefs that are not benefici al. Here are several excuses and ways to eliminate to eliminate them once and for all1. Its taking too long. Years ago when I moved internally from international HR into recruiting, it took nearly two months for the interview process to occur, decisions to be made and for my transfer date to be confirmed. In hindsight, thats a pretty fast turnaround, butthat didnt seem like that caseas it was unfolding in real time.New mantra Anything worth having is worth waiting for. Were used to being immersed in an instant gratification society. Want takeout? Within minutes, you can have a meal delivered to your door. Need a car service? Theres an app for that, too. Texting a friend making dinner plans? Instant messages galore. But job searching is not instant.Leverage your insatiable appetite for a new job as fuel to continue pursuing meaningful networking rather than allowing that same hunger to stifle and distract you. Create an Excel spreadsheet, take notes in your smartphone or do whatever you need to do to stay organized and remain focused. Keep your eye on the prize. Making life changes whether its finding a new job, buying a house or researching rescue shelters to get a new dog will take time, energy and effort. Accept that as parte of the process, and focus on what you do have control over your actions and positive beliefs.2.But I havent interviewed in years. My skills are rusty. Sure, this may be true, but there is no time like the present to eliminate this alienating thought, which serves as a block to either not interview at all or not ace an interview once one has been scheduled. New mantra Im an excellent conversationalist and enjoy meeting new people. Youve most likely had meaningful conversations about your career, whether it was during a year-end performance review with your boss or a conversation with your mentor, mentee or staff. As for your interview skills, they may feel a little rusty, but you may be pretty skilled at making small talk, highligh ting your strengths and asking intuitive questions. That sounds a lot like a job interview, doesnt it?The only way to remedy the situation (in addition to owning the new mantra) is to abflug interviewing.3.I dont even have arsum. I cant start looking for a new job without one. Even if you dont have a currentrsum, you can always work on one. Begin today This is similar to working out You may feel out of shape, and yet the only way to get fit is to simply start moving. One situp leads to two and then three, and the same applies to yourrsum, so get moving. And just because you dont have arsumreadily available doesnt mean you shouldnt network.When I worked in corporate recruiting, sometimesrsums got submitted after the fact. As in Congratulations, youre hired and, by the way, we need you to submit yourrsumso well have it on file and can generate an offer letter from the system.Yes, youll need arsumfor the job-search process, but dont let not having one prevent you fromhavingmeaningfu l networking conversations, which can lead to interviews and possible job offers.New mantra Myrsumis my passport but instead of a new destination, its leading me to a new job.Think of yourrsumas your one-way ticket to a new job.Instead of dreading it, embrace it as your port ofentry.Candidates have told me once they actually sat down to revise their old one, the process didnt take as long as they originally anticipated. Working on theirrsumtook less time then the amount of time spentprocrastinating. Remember that yourrsumis a work in progress. You can tweak responsibilities and revise the document as you go along. After you land a new job,incorporate facets from the job description into yourrsum.4. Myrsumis just going to get submitted into a black hole online, so Im not going to bother. Thats like forfeiting a ballgame by not even showing up. You owe it to yourself to show up. The applicant tracking system (better known as the ATS), will get inundated withrsums pegged to each spec ific job opening, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt apply.While it doeshelp to have a referral so yourrsumis flagged differently in the system for recruiters to easily spot, dont give up. Definitely apply.New mantra My efforts are paying off. One of the most important things to remember about your job search is progress. Many job seekers tend to only focus on one tangible aspect whether or not they landed a new job.In reality, many other intangible strides are taking place, such as conversations, applications, interviews, open doors and movement closer to your goal.Although you may not have landed a new job just yet, keep the faith and, more importantly, keep the focus.