You keep getting these words: “We thank you for your interest, but at this time we would prefer to proceed with other candidates.” And as if that wasn't enough, calls from recruiters, which once were more than one a week, have dried up and connections on Linkedin and other contacts often receive no response.

The growing difficulty of finding a job is leading many to give up. According to the most recent US government data, 1.6 million people were looking for work and available to work in December, but did not apply for any positions. Furthermore, in the same month, there were also 346 "discouraged workers", as people who no longer believe that there is a job available for them are identified in official statistics.

These are the data, but from stories and anecdotes the situation seems even worse. Part of the problem is simple mathematics. The number of unemployed has swelled due to layoffs in 2023, while the number of open positions has steadily decreased, from 10.8 million last January to 8.8 million in November.

To be able to attract the attention of recruiters, candidates must have a strategy that goes beyond what is written on their CV.

Deepali Vyas, Head of Fintech at Korn Ferry, tells the story of a recent candidate, who had to leave her job as a data analyst to run her family's deli, as an example. He talks about how he would never have considered him the best choice for the role he was selecting if he had only based it on what was written on the CV. He, however, was able to describe how that experience had taught him a lot about running a business and how this could be applied to the job position. And he was instrumental in getting the position.

Therefore, the ability to tell one's professional story in the best possible way will increasingly become a distinctive skill.

And, since it is not a topic covered by traditional study plans, it will have to be included in the Personal Development Plans of each of us.