Why are You Still Unemployed

The unemployment rate in Malaysia is reported to go up by 0.1% in 2017 from 3.4%, which means that the future is still not getting any brighter for job seekers.

On another note, more Malaysians are losing their jobs due to the tumbling economy as companies face financial crisis. Also, the speedy automation revolution will soon replace millions of jobs across the entire South East Asia region (source).

You think that those statistics have fully explained your unemployment status? Think again.

No matter if you are among the unlucky employees who have been laid off, or a fresh graduate who is struggling to compete against the senior professionals in the job market, don’t let these facts and figures distract you from finding a job.

Here are the actual reasons why you are still unemployed (which you can change to get hired).

Being unemployed for a long time

Before you question us about the logic behind that statement, ask yourself this question: “What have I done while being jobless?”.

Although it is true that employers tend to skip those resumes that show a long unemployment period, it doesn’t mean that every door to your future job is complete shut. Here’s a more accurate fact, HR managers bin your resume because they cannot evaluate your competencies and skills without enough employment history.

Do yourself a favour by going online more frequently. But instead of scrolling Facebook, be active on LinkedIn. There are many professional groups where experts hangout to discuss industry updates or simply to exchange knowledge; you can request to become a member and start sharing your views to get some exposure even though you are not working.

Let’s not forget about the power of networking. Sign up for a membership on meetup.com and start making meaningful connections! To make sure that you won’t ruin any chance to get a job, do read these networking dos and don’ts.

You are too picky

You may hear this advice before: “find your dream job so that you don’t have to work a day in your life”, but just how often can someone land their dream job?

You may not realise that successful people are those who create their own dream careers, rather than waiting for it to happen. Don’t keep chasing after the big industry players, say Google or Facebook, and forget about the smaller businesses that offer you an opportunity to learn and grow. When you are passionate about your job, it doesn’t really matter where you earn it, as long as you are on the right career path.

Another factor that you may want to deprioritise is the salary package. You can’t expect the company to pay you a huge amount of money knowing that you’ve been away from the workforce (unintentionally) for too long. If the job is what you are looking for and the offer is justified, don’t say “no” even if you will earn less than you used to. Remember that there will always be an opportunity for you to increase that figure when you excel at your job.

You didn’t do well during the interview

After going through the hurdles of job search, you have finally landed an interview. But weeks passed by and you haven’t heard from the hiring managers. Yes, that’s the most frustrating part that we have all been through.

Now, set aside the disappointment, it’s time to reflect on your performance during the interview so that you know which part you should improve. Let’s say you are competing with hundreds of applicants whose background and experiences are just the same as you, then the only thing that will set you apart is your communication skills.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Follow-up Email After A Job Interview

Perhaps, instead of plainly repeating the information that you put in the resume, try to communicate with the interviewer. However, don’t spend a great chunk of the time explaining to them why you are unemployed, it won’t make a good impression. Note that asking the employer the right questions at the end of the interview will actually help you to score better.

Besides that, it is essential to keep in mind that language proficiency also determines your employability. As many businesses use English as the primary communication tool, you need to brush up your language skills if you can’t speak or write fluently.

Opportunities for job seekers are boundless, but only a few can grab them. So even if you feel stuck at some point, don’t give up. Remember, “good things come to those who hustle”.

So what are you waiting for? Submit your resume to Jobstore.com to get back on the career track now!