OPERATOR
Q: Dear Dr. Culp, I can't seem to get from the interview stage to the employment stage. I have had many interviews lined up and have gone through over five rounds of interviews with multiple companies but never get the position. Is there a reason I get sent on so many follow-up interviews but never get the job? Holding the Bag
A: Dear Holding, This situation could be occurring whether you're job hunting on your own or working with recruiters. Break the pattern by breaking through the wall of silence.
Dial the workplace operator, the person who interviews you or the recruiter who sends you on interviews. Explain that you want to do a better job of interviewing and would like to know what you could do to improve. Then, listen carefully for reasons for not being hired:
• You might have been a misfit for the culture.
• You might have failed the background check.
• Someone else might have had more experience or a skill you don't have.
• A known quantity might have won out.
• Budget constraints might have compelled the company to eliminate the job.
• Job requirements might have changed.
Find out or drop out. It's part of the job of job hunting. mlc
ADHD
Q: Dear Dr. Culp, Are there any resources or links to websites that can help me? I'm an office manager at a small financial services firm. I am loyal, hard-working and honest. I do great work, yet I am told that I continually overlook small proofing errors. My boss, who is detail-oriented, is very frustrated that my work is not perfect. Concerned
A: Dear Concerned, You mentioned in your original email that ADHD is holding you back. It's possible that it conflicts with the kind of work you're doing. If keeping that job necessitates learning how to concentrate better, enlist another person's help or find a therapist specializing in clients whose ADHD causes them problems on the job.
If possible, trade tasks with an employee. Identify one who has the skill and is willing to help. Don't mention ADHD, just your desire to create error-free work. Suggest one or two things you could do for that person in exchange.
If this plan can't or doesn't work, search Google for ADHD and concentration. You'll find more than five million hits. Read about people who have ADHD. How are they overcoming the problem? mlc
**BlogTip**
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Many job hunters bemoan the fact that employers don't even acknowledge their applications, let alone respond to them. Are they being rude? Are they just ignoring applications? Doesn't a person who goes to the trouble of applying deserve some sort of response?
Lavie Margolin tells the story of John, a b-school grad who was laser-focused on finding a job (lioncubjobsearch.com). In the spirit of thoroughness, he decided to apply for every job he found online. "He didn't spend much time reading the job listings," Margolin emails, "but he glanced over each one briefly." He made one change in his cover letter, the job title.
John might have felt good at first about what he was doing, but shortly thereafter, sensing a black hole, he lost heart. One day, though, he received a response from one of the employers and invited his family to come hear the news.
According to Margolin, John "called them all into the room, saying, ‘I got a response! I got a response! Come in quick. I'd like you to see this with me!'" Once everyone was there, he opened the email. Here's what he read:
"Why did you apply for this job? A JD is a requirement for this position!"
(Dr. Mildred Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. © 2012 Passage Media.)