I know that this is a bit of a cliche but I've been reading quite a few posts here in JobCase as well as other professional sites. Many of these posts are from people whom for one reason or another are having difficulty in landing the job (or any job, for that matter). I have nothing but sympathy for these people. I spent about two and half years after taking time off to get my specialized degree looking for work and came up fruitless. If anything, I became discouraged and I felt like there was no hope in sight. I also tried desperately to find out why I couldn't land a job even after nearly hundreds of interviews. It was after nearly three years of searching and I finally landed a job, which would not be my final job nor my final search. The difference now is that in the latter part of three years since, I have not been in a lack of employment. If anything, it has opened the door for other, much greater, opportunities.

When all is said and done, it came down to my attitude. As I mentioned before, I was desperate. I had become utterly disenchanted with the job search and the job market itself. I would take the advice of HR Gurus from all aspects of life. I would tailor my resume to optimize my reach. I would actively network with people of influence. I would even call in favors for friends to act as my liaisons. Sadly, even after many interviews, the results would remain the same. No hire status.

I would come to realize that it wasn't any of these things that were the cause of my rejection. It was my attitude. HR personnel are called "head hunters" for a reason. They recognize and expose the human elements of the company. When I would approach the people interviewing or received a screening phone call. I was surely pleasant enough but underneath that cheerful tone was some resentment. I was tired of the process. I was anxious to get to work. I was desperate, jaded, and disillusioned about my marketability in a tough job market.

A good head hunter can spot these insecurities like a hawk....

It would take that change of attitude that would lead to end of my cold streak. After all the misfires, I would land a job that I would instantly be grateful for gaining. This would change my overall attitude and when it was time for me to move on, I did so confidently. This journey would lead to more interviewing and more rejection at times. Changing your attitude doesn't mean that you'll get accepted 100% of the time but it will increase your odds.

Universal Fact: Head hunters are looking for the ray of sunshine rather than a potential storm cloud.

Now, I'm not saying that you have to have a bubbly personality or be one of those saccharin sweet types that causes diabetes. What I am saying is that your perception and your perceived outlook on the situation will make a noticeable difference. In short, people notice are attracted to, and respond in favor to those who have a realistic but uplifting attitude. Your results may vary but overall, I promise you that you'll see more opportunity in looking up and ahead rather than down and behind.

Keep in mind that this is only one aspect of the process. You still have to do the work. You still have to optimize your resume. You still have present yourself well. You still have to be qualified for the position. You still should follow up on prospective jobs and send Thank-You notes for any interviews gained. Your attitude is simply the catalyst that will make all that work worth the while.