Why Is It so Hard to Find a Job in 2020 and What You Should Do

Why Is It so Hard to Find a Job in 2020 and What You Should Do Spread the loveIf you’ve been searching for a job for any serious amount of time, then you understand how difficult it can be to find a job in 2019. You might even wonder if you’re perhaps not as employable as you thought you were. Believe us when we tell you: you’re not alone. Millions of other job-seekers are experiencing those same frustrations. Sadly, many job-seekers expect that finding a job in 2019 will likely be just as difficult. Once you understand why jobs are so hard to find right now, you can take steps to improve your odds of success.Why Is It So Hard to Find a Job?It can be frustrating to look at job boards and see all those open positions, especially when your resume is being ignored. And it’s hard to ignore all those ‘Help Wanted’ signs you see whenever you’re driving through any town’s business district. After all, if there are that many companies in need of employees, why can’t you land those interviews you need? How is it that your resume is bein g passed over time after time?First, recognize one thing: many companies have no intention of filling all those positions. Many promote from within.Others simply solicit resumes on a regular basis to build up a reservoir of potential candidates they can turn to when positions do come open.As a result, the job market may not be as wide-open as it appears at first glance. In short, don’t assume that your job search is any more difficult than any other job-seeker. The fact is that you’re all competing for a finite pool of available jobs.Why Many Candidates Cant Find a JobSource:  Inc.comAs you see from the graphic above A typical job opening receives nearly 250 resumes. Out of those candidates, 4-6 will be called for an interview and one person will be given an offer.Here are some other reasons why its so difficult to find a job.Companies are Overly SelectiveIt’s also important to recognize that the job market has changed. Decades ago, employers would hire candidates with the in tention of employing them for life. They viewed those hires as long-term investments. That meant that they could take a chance on a new hire, train that person, and get a return on their investment over time.These days, that dynamic has changed dramatically. Most employees move from job to job throughout their career. Companies are no longer as loyal to their employees as they once were. Because of that changed relationship, employers need to get an immediate return from their hiring investment.That’s led them to become ever more selective about who they hire. They need to know that you can provide immediate value to the firm.Applicant Tracking SystemsFor many workers, the ATS may be a real obstacle to finding a job in 2019. These Applicant Tracking Systems are used to screen resumes based on keyword usage. Yes, it is a questionable way for humans to hire other humans but it’s also an unfortunate reality.ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS sca n with our Free Resume Review:Free ATS Resume ScanJob-seekers who are not sufficiently aware of how an ATS screens a resume may find it difficult to overcome that obstacle. Later in this piece, we’ll offer some ATS-related advice that can help you with this challenge.A Reliance on Outdated ResumesFor many struggling job-seekers, the problem is as simple as their resumes. Employers are looking for resumes that stand out from the crowd, so those old, outdated resumes are not the best option these days.When it comes to finding a job in 2019, successful candidates will have resumes that effectively showcase their value as employees. Unfortunately, many of today’s job-seekers have no idea how to craft that type of resume!For example, does your resume still rely on the objective statement to capture a hiring manager’s attention? If so, that could be a major mistake. Objective statements focus on what you want from your career, rather than how you can meet the employer’s needs.Thin k about that for a second. If you were in that employer’s shoes, would that approach appeal to you? Chances are that you’d want to hear more about how that candidate can add value to your team, right?Finding a Job in 2019: Improving Your OddsThe good news is that finding a job in 2019 doesn’t have to be an excruciating experience. There are, in fact, many things that you can do to improve your odds of success. Most of them are focused on just a few key areas of concern, though:Focus on Your Resume!There’s no way around it: if you want to maximize your odds, you need a stellar resume. Sure, there was a time when resumes were all but a formality, but they carry a lot of weight these days. If your resume is mediocre at best, good luck finding a job in 2019.(Hiring a professional resume writer can increase your chances of landing of interview. Check out our post on the best  resume services.)Your application is likely to be passed over time and again by other candidates with bet ter resumes.You can get a head start on improving your resume by checking out this post: Improve Your Resume: 7 Tips to Land More Interviews.Use Keywords WiselyRemember those ATS screeners we mentioned earlier? Do yourself a favor and learn how to use keywords in your resume.That will help to ensure that yours gets past the machine and onto the desk of a real human. The third tip in that linked article explains more about this important subject.Apply for the Right JobsAre you applying for the right positions? Too often, job candidates fail to choose positions that best match their skill sets. Other times, they fail to properly showcase the right skills in their resumes. Remember, most hiring managers only spend a few minutes on an initial examination of your resume.If it doesn’t catch their eye in that time, it gets tossed aside. Make sure that your most relevant skills are the ones required for the position â€" and highlight them in your summary statement.Network, Network, Networ k!Don’t forget about your network. You’ve spent years building a network of associates and contacts in your industry. Leverage those relationships to get your foot in the door. Ask them for referrals. Proactively request news about new job openings that match your qualifications.In other words, don’t just wait for a job to appear use every tool available to you to land that interview you need.Closing Thoughts: Finding a Job in 2019 Doesn’t Have to Be an Excruciating Experience!While the job search experience is seldom easy, finding a job in 2019 doesn’t need to be a painful ordeal. The key is to recognize the challenges that you face, and take proactive steps to counter those obstacles.With the right resume and strategy, you can find that job you deserve â€" and do it without much of the frustration you’d otherwise experience. Why Is It so Hard to Find a Job in 2020 and What You Should Do Spread the loveIf you’ve been searching for a job for any serious amount of time, then you understand how difficult it can be to find a job in 2019. You might even wonder if you’re perhaps not as employable as you thought you were. Believe us when we tell you: you’re not alone. Millions of other job-seekers are experiencing those same frustrations. Sadly, many job-seekers expect that finding a job in 2019 will likely be just as difficult. Once you understand why jobs are so hard to find right now, you can take steps to improve your odds of success.Why Is It So Hard to Find a Job?It can be frustrating to look at job boards and see all those open positions, especially when your resume is being ignored. And it’s hard to ignore all those ‘Help Wanted’ signs you see whenever you’re driving through any town’s business district. After all, if there are that many companies in need of employees, why can’t you land those interviews you need? How is it that your resume is bein g passed over time after time?First, recognize one thing: many companies have no intention of filling all those positions. Many promote from within.Others simply solicit resumes on a regular basis to build up a reservoir of potential candidates they can turn to when positions do come open.As a result, the job market may not be as wide-open as it appears at first glance. In short, don’t assume that your job search is any more difficult than any other job-seeker. The fact is that you’re all competing for a finite pool of available jobs.Why Many Candidates Cant Find a JobSource:  Inc.comAs you see from the graphic above A typical job opening receives nearly 250 resumes. Out of those candidates, 4-6 will be called for an interview and one person will be given an offer.Here are some other reasons why its so difficult to find a job.Companies are Overly SelectiveIt’s also important to recognize that the job market has changed. Decades ago, employers would hire candidates with the in tention of employing them for life. They viewed those hires as long-term investments. That meant that they could take a chance on a new hire, train that person, and get a return on their investment over time.These days, that dynamic has changed dramatically. Most employees move from job to job throughout their career. Companies are no longer as loyal to their employees as they once were. Because of that changed relationship, employers need to get an immediate return from their hiring investment.That’s led them to become ever more selective about who they hire. They need to know that you can provide immediate value to the firm.Applicant Tracking SystemsFor many workers, the ATS may be a real obstacle to finding a job in 2019. These Applicant Tracking Systems are used to screen resumes based on keyword usage. Yes, it is a questionable way for humans to hire other humans but it’s also an unfortunate reality.ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS sca n with our Free Resume Review:Free ATS Resume ScanJob-seekers who are not sufficiently aware of how an ATS screens a resume may find it difficult to overcome that obstacle. Later in this piece, we’ll offer some ATS-related advice that can help you with this challenge.A Reliance on Outdated ResumesFor many struggling job-seekers, the problem is as simple as their resumes. Employers are looking for resumes that stand out from the crowd, so those old, outdated resumes are not the best option these days.When it comes to finding a job in 2019, successful candidates will have resumes that effectively showcase their value as employees. Unfortunately, many of today’s job-seekers have no idea how to craft that type of resume!For example, does your resume still rely on the objective statement to capture a hiring manager’s attention? If so, that could be a major mistake. Objective statements focus on what you want from your career, rather than how you can meet the employer’s needs.Thin k about that for a second. If you were in that employer’s shoes, would that approach appeal to you? Chances are that you’d want to hear more about how that candidate can add value to your team, right?Finding a Job in 2019: Improving Your OddsThe good news is that finding a job in 2019 doesn’t have to be an excruciating experience. There are, in fact, many things that you can do to improve your odds of success. Most of them are focused on just a few key areas of concern, though:Focus on Your Resume!There’s no way around it: if you want to maximize your odds, you need a stellar resume. Sure, there was a time when resumes were all but a formality, but they carry a lot of weight these days. If your resume is mediocre at best, good luck finding a job in 2019.(Hiring a professional resume writer can increase your chances of landing of interview. Check out our post on the best  resume services.)Your application is likely to be passed over time and again by other candidates with bet ter resumes.You can get a head start on improving your resume by checking out this post: Improve Your Resume: 7 Tips to Land More Interviews.Use Keywords WiselyRemember those ATS screeners we mentioned earlier? Do yourself a favor and learn how to use keywords in your resume.That will help to ensure that yours gets past the machine and onto the desk of a real human. The third tip in that linked article explains more about this important subject.Apply for the Right JobsAre you applying for the right positions? Too often, job candidates fail to choose positions that best match their skill sets. Other times, they fail to properly showcase the right skills in their resumes. Remember, most hiring managers only spend a few minutes on an initial examination of your resume.If it doesn’t catch their eye in that time, it gets tossed aside. Make sure that your most relevant skills are the ones required for the position â€" and highlight them in your summary statement.Network, Network, Networ k!Don’t forget about your network. You’ve spent years building a network of associates and contacts in your industry. Leverage those relationships to get your foot in the door. Ask them for referrals. Proactively request news about new job openings that match your qualifications.In other words, don’t just wait for a job to appear use every tool available to you to land that interview you need.Closing Thoughts: Finding a Job in 2019 Doesn’t Have to Be an Excruciating Experience!While the job search experience is seldom easy, finding a job in 2019 doesn’t need to be a painful ordeal. The key is to recognize the challenges that you face, and take proactive steps to counter those obstacles.With the right resume and strategy, you can find that job you deserve â€" and do it without much of the frustration you’d otherwise experience.