Question: I call or e-mail companies that I know are hiring inquiring about openings. Sometimes I reach somebody who asks me to send in my resume. After I do I never hear from them again.

I can’t get work because:

1) I’m “over-qualified”

2) I’ve been unemployed for a while

Anything I can say or do to get around this?

Answer: I’m addressing the latter part of your two-fold dilemma first because it is the more challenging and thought-provoking of the two. Know you are not alone on both counts. This dilemma plagues all job hunters who have been laid off…

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In November of 2008, I was laid off from my position as a Project Manager for a real estate developer in L.A. due to the financial crisis. I’m 36, and have been in city planning (complete with an MS)/real estate development my entire career-two industries that have effectively vanished. The process of transitioning out during the recession has been an absolute nightmare and now I’m faced with almost 1.5 years of an unemployment gap. I now feel like this is the most threatening aspect preventing future employment and need to address the best way possible. I’m considering designing a website, offering professional services and giving myself a title simply to have on my resume. Is this outside the bounds of what’s acceptable? I certainly wouldn’t lie about work performed under this heading. I’d like to be able to point to classes taken, etc. but frankly finances simply wouldn’t allow (I have massive grad student debt and refuse to go in deeper-esp w the nightmare stories/statistics that are out there for those who have done so). What should I do?

Thanks, Ben

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(Ed. Note) We are excited to introduce Lesley Pink, an editor and writer who has worked in marketing, financial journalism, and immigration law.  She wishes she could swim for a living, but for now you can find her here in her new “Single White Unemployed Female” column. Enjoy.

I thought I was lucky. After seeing a number of my former colleagues laid off in 2009, I held my breath and continued to work as an editor. I knew times were still tough, but thought I had escaped the hatchet coming down on me. I was wrong.

The first week of January, I was laid off. It was my first time. I had been at the company over two years, had gotten good reviews, thought my [now former] boss liked my work. The phone call came from the HR director right before 5 on a Thursday.

I knew that her call meant one of two things: either I had gotten in trouble somehow or I was being laid off. Based on the timing, I guessed the latter. HR Director and Former Boss were seated at a round conference table, stacks of large white envelopes surrounding them. “I can guess why I’m here,” I said, waiting for what I knew they were going to tell me. “And what is that?” asked HR Director. “I’m guessing I’m getting laid off,” I replied. “Unfortunately, you are correct. We are eliminating your position,” she said. And with that, I entered the ranks of the unemployed. HR Director went on to explain the meager severance package, COBRA coverage, and, of course, how all of this would go down.

Having just seen “Up in the Air” a week before, I felt like I was in the movie itself…

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Dear HR,

I recently had my resume critiqued by a recruiter.  The recruiter liked the content but did not like the format.  The format is exactly what my business school uses for all of its students.  Should I try to create a resume which does not adhere to a “normal” looking resume?

Sincerely, Resume Inquirer

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Dear Resume Inquirer,

Although there are countless books on how to write a resume, how  you format your resume is really a personal choice. Everyone who reads your resume may have a feeling of how it is formatted and you cant please everyone. Most recruiters spend less than 60 seconds reviewing each resume. I would suggest that you focus on making sure the content reflects your skills and abilities, is easy to read, void of typos and grammatically correct.

-Kelley Anglin, Director of Talent/Human Resources

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Have a burning question you would like to ask the Human Resources Department? The 405 Club gives you full access to HR with the AskHR series.  To submit a question please use the online form [here].

Ed. note: Ask HR is a brand new featured series on The 405 Club which gives you full access to the Human Resource Department. With this Q&A feature you can ask real Human Resource representives anything you’ve ever wanted to know - they’re here to help! Submit questions [here].

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Dear HR,

We had our interview. I wrote a thank you note and mentioned an idea that gives you a sense of how I would contribute to the team. You said you would email me in the next week.

It’s a month later. You don’t reply to my email; you don’t return my call. I know you’re busy; I’m not a stalker, so once every two weeks I try to connect with you.

Get a return on YOUR investment of the valuable time you (and your hiring manager) spent with me. When are you going to tell me that I will NEVER hear from you again?

Sincerely, Candidate Waiting

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Dear Candidate Waiting,

First off, let me say that I am embarrased by my profession for not closing the interview process with you. I believe the interview process is hard enough and candidates should be treated with respect. From a purely business perspective, HR folks should understand that marketing the company is part of their role and this kind of behavior only leads to bad press. So let me apologize for my fellow HR practioners who do not respond to an applicants follow up phone calls or emails. If I were you, I wouldn’t reach out again and consider this a place you would not want to work in anyway. Good luck.

-Kelley Anglin, Director of Talent/Human Resources