Your job search, especially if it’s been years since you’ve been looking, likely has a frustrating element that dampens any motivation you have for “getting out there” and searching for a career. Your resume it seems is sent into cyberspace never to be seen, or heard from, again. Literally.

You are not alone when it comes to expecting some sort of phone call or even any type of correspondence to let you know where you stand. And you are not alone when you hear nothing for weeks and sometimes when you hear nothing…ever. There are a number of reasons for this. Some have nothing to do with you and some may have everything to do with you. An article posted on a popular job search site breaks down this new phenomenon in job searching and provides some hints on how to overcome it.

The company is not into you.

Yes you may qualify but someone else more closely matches what they were looking for. This is one of the tightest job markets ever so employers can usually get exactly the type of candidate they want.

They like you-they just haven’t come across your resume.

Companies are inundated with applications, so much so, they don’t even have time to send acknowledgement letters. Some companies spend months looking through resumes for one open position. So, while you may want the job today it may take months before you even get an interview.

Did you follow directions?

One way companies siphon through resumes is to see if the applicant followed directions. Did you respond exactly the way the company asked you to? Did you tailor your resume to show you have the experience and qualifications that are required? Additionally, don’t expect success if you are using a shotgun approach by sending the same letter to dozens of companies.

Is the job you applied for appropriate for you?

If you’re not right for the job, whether it’s because you are over qualified, under qualified or just plain wrong for the job, don’t expect the company to find a spot for you on their roster. Read the job description carefully and make sure you are a fit.

Your application materials could use some work.

Did you send a cover letter? Does your resume show you’re the right person for the job? Did you remember to spell check everything prior to submitting? Mistakes and coming across as having no idea what the position is for won’t result in a call back.

The job is gone.

Sometimes companies realize they don’t need the position anymore or budget cuts end up axing the position which means they no longer need you. In some cases, companies will collect resumes for a job they plan to open sometime in the future.

This is not a comprehensive list by any means but if you are not receiving responses, there are some steps that you can take:

1. Call. Try and track down the hiring manager for the position you applied for and see if you’re even in the running.
2. Don’t be a pest. If you did get an interview, send your “thank you” letter and wait a week to call. You can even send an email or two but no more; you’ll just come across as desperate.
3. Reread the job posting. A second or even third read may reveal some tidbits that do indeed disqualify you as a viable candidate.
4. Review your resume. Ask others what they think of it and if it needs tweaking.
5. Network even more. The best chance for you in the healthcare field, especially in this job climate, is to network your way in.

I talk a lot about being a stand-out on the job as one of the ways to help you get a job and keep a job. One of the ways to stand out is to take the high road when faced with conflict or criticism on the job. This will help you to develop a reputation for being thoughtful, mature and resilient.

My friend Pamela recently found herself in the painfully classic position of being hired into a management role over someone who had been there longer and felt the position should have been hers. Amy, the management wannabe, shares her bitterness vocally and regularly in Pamela’s presence, continually complaining of how the boss treats her unfairly and also pointing out every one of Pamela’s mistakes.

Rather than react emotionally as would certainly be one’s natural inclination, Pamela has listened impartially, nodded empathetically, and after she feels Amy’s had enough venting time, redirects Amy’s attention to a task or project that needs immediate action.

It’s a daily challenge, trying not to be distracted or influenced by Amy’s negativity, but it may pay off in the end. Pamela’s boss said to her in passing one day, “You’ve been very indulgent with Amy’s behavior. We value her work, but we’re aware of what’s going on and this will be dealt with. Thanks for your patience.”

Adam was training for a new job and after three weeks was called into the boss’s office for a meeting. The training period had been rough and Adam was feeling discouraged, especially when his boss, John, raked him over the coals. His judgment was called into question as was his commitment to the position. Adam felt unfairly judged on many counts and was quite hurt and angry. But he listened impartially, took notes, repeated back what he heard to be sure he understood, apologized for his mistakes and perceived offenses and presented his side of the story.

He went into work the next day determined not to nurse his hurt feelings and to think the best of John (John was, after all, a highly talented man whom Adam respected and had wanted to work with). Not long into the day, John said to him, “I really appreciated that we could talk yesterday. That we could tell each other how we feel, get it all out in the open and move on without having to come in today walking on pins and needles – that we can work together without feeling uncomfortable.”

Adam gave himself a big pat on the back. This was a big step for him because had the previous day’s encounter taken place just a few years earlier, it probably would have become a major confrontation. But now Adam is glad that he had the foresight to react as he did.

The moral of the story? Take the high road. Or as they say at my daughter’s elementary school: STP – Stop Think Plan.

1. Stop – Don’t react emotionally. Stop the behavior when possible.
2. Think – Listen and carefully consider the situation and the other person’s feelings.
3. Plan – Be intentional about your words and actions.

My final words of wisdom: If you’re not sure how to handle a conflict in the workplace go to your supervisor, your HR manager or ask a respected friend for advice.

Are you a closet thespian? Okay, I don’t quite know how to follow that one up, but it sounded clever, didn’t it? How many of us secretly dream of leaving behind the security of a regular paycheck to give free reign to the actor, dancer, singer, painter, sculptor within?

“Don’t quit your day job!” used to be a favorite phrase we used to tease our friends who couldn’t hold a tune in a bucket. In today’s economy, however, it is a truism for all of us, even if you can sing like Pavarotti or dance like Barishnykov. If you have a job, you hold onto it for dear life no matter how creatively unfulfilling. This isn’t the time to throw caution to the wind in the hopes of being discovered! But all is not lost. There are ways to put your creativity to work and still be on the payroll. There might even be a way to combine them both.

Myra, an aspiring actress, has worked for Kaiser for 10 years in their educational theatre program, first as an actor, then as a booking agent. The program’s goal is to “inspire children, teens and adults to make informed decisions about their health and help build stronger communities.” Myra toured with the Los Angeles area troupe for 4 years and then moved into an administrative role when she started having children. She’s learned that “creativity isn’t just about being in front of people to act,” and is grateful for the steady paycheck, great benefits, and the opportunity to exercise her creativity even in a healthcare setting.

In addition to these kinds of hospital-sponsored community outreach programs, many hospitals and clinics around the country are embracing art therapy, music therapy, drama and movement therapy and, get ready for this – social and therapeutic horticulture – that’s a fancy term for garden therapy. Whether you’re a licensed therapist or support staff, working in one of these arenas might give you the creative boost you’ve been looking for.

Or you might try working with a career coach to help you brainstorm ways to parlay your passion into a marketable skill. For example, if you’re a visual artist, learning the latest graphic design software will give you a competitive skill that you’re company might really be able to use. If you’re a writer slaving away on the Great American Novel, consider taking some business writing classes and looking for work as a grant writer or doing blogs and other writing assignments for your company’s marketing department.

Creative careers with paychecks attached are not plentiful. You have to think outside the box (which is something we creative types do well), be persistent, look for unexpected avenues of artistic expression within your chosen field and possibly become a maverick-doing something that no one’s done before. After all, someone had to be the first to say, “I really love gardening. It surely must have some restorative effects? I think I’ll start a social and therapeutic horticulture program!”

No, it probably wasn’t that easy, but you get the point!

Why do you work in healthcare? You can’t deny that our chosen field makes a huge impact on people, how they live and even the outcome of their lives. When we chose healthcare for a living, it usually has something to do with making an impact and being able to positively affect lives.

But every job has its challenges, and whether yours are conflict with co-workers/superiors, low pay for long hours, patient “unappreciation” or just plain-ole office politics-jobs can get discouraging. How can you prevent those discouragements from affecting your job performance and burning you out?

Here are some suggestions for you:

1. Never doubt the impact that you can make. You won’t always hear it and sometimes, you might hear it in an odd fashion (such as a twisted compliment or overhearing family members talking about you), but know that your impact is great. Consider jotting down each compliment that your receive. Then you will have a list to refer to when you have a tough day.

2. Know when you need a break. If you are overly tired, feel discouraged or dread going to work, it’s time for a break. There is a reason why your employer allows vacation time. Breaks will keep you refreshed and thinking clearly. Take the breaks that you are allotted.

3. Encourage and use humor while on the job. Humor is an essential stress reliever and having some appropriate fun with your coworkers can do wonders to relax everyone who is there. Feeling stressed? Keep a joke book at the desk and pull it out when everyone is as tense as a stretched rubber band.

4. Don’t forget to eat! I’m not kidding. In the healthcare field we are incredibly busy and at times will go hours without the food needed that fuels our body and minds. Don’t let yourself move into low blood sugar, irritability and stress. Make sure everyone has scheduled breaks to eat and take those breaks. If you can’t, stash some higher protein snacks in your work area that you can grab on the go.

5. Communicate with your patients, co-workers and superiors. Communication is incredibly vital to keeping the work environment running smoothly. If you are uncomfortable with someone, there is a reason. Try and talk it out. Make it a priority to verbally de-clutter the workspace as needed. This will help everyone’s stress level, even those not directly involved with the issue.