Why am I Not Getting an Interview?  

The average corporate job opening gets 250 resumes – and of those, between four to six will be called for an interview. Waiting to hear back from a potential employer can be one of the most nerve-racking parts of any job search. After spending time on an application and compiling all the information needed, not hearing back from a company can often leave job seekers frustrated and disheartened during the job search process. From overlooked resume mistakes to lack of experience, there are many factors that leave applicants asking the question, “Why am I not getting an interview?” This article identifies five reasons why candidates may not be getting a job interview and how to improve them.  

You’re Not Tailoring Your Resume 

The idea of quantity over quality in the job search process can be a hindrance to gaining an interview. Often, when applicants send out many applications, they are not tailoring each resume to fit the needs of the organization they are applying to. A well-written resume not only increases a candidate’s chances of being noticed but also shows future employers that they understand their needs. Additionally, it shows that they have the relevant skills and experiences necessary to excel in the role being applied for.   

To better tailor a resume, it is important to first look at the job description for the role. Candidates should carefully read the job descriptions to identify the key skills, qualifications and job responsibilities that the employer is seeking. From there, they should identify and take note of the relevant keywords in the job descriptions. These keywords and phrases are essential to include in a resume as they will often match the criteria being set by the companies.  

You’re Overqualified / Underqualified 

There are many reasons why being overqualified can hinder a candidate’s chances of getting a job interview. Hiring managers may assume that an overqualified candidate will expect a higher salary than what the company is willing to offer for the position. Although this can be a negotiable factor when offered a job, it can often be a halting factor when considering selecting an interview candidate. Employers may also have concerns if the role will be challenging enough for an overqualified candidate. This can also create some concern on whether the candidate will only take the role as a filler until they can find another job that better aligns with their experience and knowledge. In these cases, amongst many others, employers may often choose a candidate whose qualifications and experiences better align with the job description. An overqualified candidate can tailor their resume to focus on the skills and experiences that relate to the specific job they are applying for, highlighting their qualifications that match the role requirements. They also should emphasize their willingness to adapt to the position and that they are genuinely enthusiastic about contributing to the organization’s success. Overqualified applicants should also assure the hiring manager that they are seeking a long-term commitment and career growth with the company.  

On the contrary, being underqualified can also hinder a candidate’s chances of getting a job interview. With the numerous other applications that hiring managers receive for a specific role, employers often use screening criteria to filter out the resumes that do not meet the basic qualifications. This means that a candidate’s application may be automatically filtered out before it is even seen by a hiring manager. Underqualified candidates can also be doubted regarding their ability to effectively and efficiently perform the job needed to be done. Employers seek employees who can jump into a job and contribute to the overall success of the organization. When candidates lack the necessary skills and experience, the organization will have to invest in more training and resources, which can be a deterrent for hiring managers looking for new candidates. To improve their chances of landing a job interview despite limited experience, candidates should focus on highlighting industry skills, relevant coursework, internships or any projects that demonstrate their capabilities and enthusiasm about the field.  

You Have Gaps in Your Work History 

When job seekers have gaps in their work history, it can be seen as a red flag to many hiring managers. Employers may prefer candidates with consistent work histories, as career gaps may raise concerns about a candidate’s commitment to their career and the ability to hold down a job. Depending on the length of the gap, employers may worry that the candidate’s skills and knowledge may be outdated and that the candidate will need more time to adapt to the current work environment.  

To address employment gaps and increase their chances of getting a job interview, it is important to be transparent. Candidates should be honest about the reasons for the gaps in their resume. If the gap was due to personal reasons or job loss, they should briefly explain that in a cover letter. Candidates should highlight their skills, achievements, or any relevant activities to showcase a continued commitment to professional growth. The key is to address gaps proactively and demonstrate an eagerness to excel in the role.  

Your Resume Has Typos and Grammatical Errors 

Having typos and grammatical errors in a resume can significantly reduce the chances of getting a job interview. A resume reflects a candidate’s professionalism and attention to detail. Typos and errors can show carelessness and leave a negative impression on the hiring manager. In fact, 77% of recruiters see typos and poor grammatical errors as dealbreakers. In some industries, attention to detail is critical for job success. If a candidate’s resume contains errors, employers may question the overall ability to handle tasks that require precision.  

To avoid typos and grammatical errors on a resume, take the time to proofread thoroughly. Candidates should consider using an online grammar-checking tool like Grammarly or asking a friend or colleague to review it. Candidates should read their resumes out loud to identify errors that can often be overlooked when reading silently. A well-written and error-free resume showcases professionalism and attention to detail, increasing the overall likelihood of landing a job interview.  

Your Cover Letter is Too Generic 

A well-crafted cover letter is vital to any job application, as it compliments a resume and allows a candidate to tailor an application, showcase their passions and demonstrate their ability to do the job. A generic cover letter that does not address the company, hiring manager, or position may give the impression that the candidate is not completely invested in the job they are applying for. A hiring manager can quickly spot a generic cover letter and can suggest that the candidate did not take the time to research the company. A generic cover letter is also a missed opportunity. Tailored cover letters give the candidate the opportunity to stand out by highlighting skills, achievements and experiences that would make a candidate an ideal employee for the job.  

To create a non-generic cover letter, candidates should tailor their cover letter for each application. They can do this by naming the company and position, addressing the company’s needs and explaining how the candidate’s background makes them the ideal fit to support those needs. Candidates should research the company’s values, culture and recent accomplishments, and incorporate them into their cover letter to show genuine interest in the company. Overall, candidates should make sure to keep their cover letter clear and concise.  

Conclusion  

Waiting to hear back from a hiring manager or potential employer can be an intense experience, especially when faced with the idea of not receiving a response. However, by identifying potential reasons for the lack of job interviews and taking proactive steps to address them, candidates can significantly improve their chances of landing a job interview.  

Looking for a new job? Check out Hunter’s job openings today! 

Five Tips to Organize Your Job Search

In today’s competitive market, organizing your job search is essential for maximizing your chances of success and making the process more manageable. There are many aspects to a job search that can be intimidating to those who don’t know where to start. Whether you are a recent graduate eager to kickstart your professional career or an experienced professional seeking a new opportunity, implementing an effective organizational strategy can help enhance your chances of success during the interviewing process and enable you to navigate the job market with more confidence and assurance. Here are five tips to help you better organize your job search.

Define Your Career Goals

Defining your career goals is one of the most important steps when organizing your job search. Taking the time to consider the type of job you want to apply for and defining your expectations for the position is crucial in aligning your efforts with your ultimate career goals. A recent study done by the Dominican University of California shows that individuals are 42% more likely to achieve their goals when they are physically recorded. With that in mind, it is very beneficial to take the time to write down your career goals. By identifying the specific roles, industries, and companies that align with your skills, interests, and values, you can prioritize your job search efforts and focus on pursuing the opportunities that are most relevant to your career goals.

Create a Separate Email Account for Applying

The job search process can often cause job seekers to be flooded with emails that can get lost in their everyday email folder. By creating a new email account specifically for your job search process, you can keep all your job search correspondence organized and separate from your personal or work emails. This allows you to maintain a focused inbox exclusively for job-related communications. This will help you avoid missing emails from hiring managers and company leaders that may normally get overlooked or lost in a general email inbox.

When creating a new email, choose a professional email address that includes your name or initials. Avoid any unprofessional or quirky handles. This email serves as the direct line of communication to potential employers, recruiters, and networking contacts, so you want to put your best foot forward. Also, consider creating a professional signature for this email account that highlights your education and accolades.

Utilize a Spreadsheet

Each application that you submit will come with various pieces of vital information. It may be easy to keep track of at first, but the information will easily become mixed up after applying to multiple jobs. To avoid any confusion, create a spreadsheet to keep track of all the information you have collected about each job application you have submitted.

Here are a few key columns to include:

• Company Name – Name of the company applied to
• Contact Name – The point of contact in the company, typically the hiring manager or who you addressed your cover letter to
• Contact Email / Phone – Preferred contact information of the point of contact.
• Date Applied – Date you submitted your application
• Documents Submitted – What you submitted in your application: cover letter, resume, portfolio, references, etc.
• Interview Date – The day of the interview
• Interview Time – The time of the interview
• Interview Notes – Any notable things from the interview
• Follow-Up – Did you send a follow-up thank you email
• Status – Where you are at in the process: Resume submitted, Rejected, Offered position, Phone screen, etc.

By creating a spreadsheet, you will be able to maintain a complete overview of your progress in the job search process. You also will be able to prioritize your job search efforts and stay on top of deadlines and follow-ups.

Keep All Job Descriptions

Keeping job descriptions for each of the jobs you apply to is vital in your job search process. Job descriptions provide a valuable reference to be used in your organization process. By holding onto the original job description, you will have a clear understanding of the requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications being looked for by the hiring managers.

With this information, you will be able to optimize your application materials to better align with the key points in the job descriptions. By carefully reviewing the words used in the company overview, job responsibilities, and experience requirements, you can identify recurring keywords and phrases. These repeated keywords are crucial in tailoring your application materials to demonstrate how your skills, experiences, and qualifications align with the specific needs of the position.

Use a Digital Calendar

With a vast number of tasks, deadlines, appointments, and interviews in the job search process, utilizing a digital calendar ensures that you can organize tasks that need to be done. By inputting job application deadlines, networking events, informational interviews, and scheduled interviews into your digital calendar, you can stay on top of your commitments and avoid any scheduling conflicts. Digital calendars also allow you to set reminders and receive notifications, ensuring that you are well-prepared and on time.

You can also use digital calendars to block out specific times for job search activities such as researching different companies, updating your resume, networking online, and writing a cover letter. By delegating tasks to different time frames, it will allow you to maintain focus on your job search process.

Some examples of digital calendars you can use are Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook Calendar, and Apple Calendar. It is important to research what calendar meets your specific needs, preferences, and device compatibility when deciding which one is right for you.

Conclusion

Job searching can be intimidating and the process can feel like its own full-time job. Organizing your job search is a key factor in maximizing your success and making the process more manageable. By following these five tips, you can streamline your efforts, stay focused, and increase your chances of getting a job that is right for you. By implementing the strategies mentioned above, you can approach your job search with confidence and ease, positioning yourself for success in finding the perfect opportunity.

Looking for a new job? Check out Hunter’s job page for our recent openings!

How to Bounce Back After Getting Rejected From a Job 

You made it through the application process, phone screen and multiple interviews only to get rejected from the job you were thrilled about. You may be discouraged, but you are not alone. A new survey from Joblist found that on average, successful job seekers applied for 10 to 15 jobs and received between 6 and 10 rejections when looking for a new role. If you made it to a formal interview, you should feel proud, as data shows that only about 5 out of 250 applicants actually make it to a face to face interview.  

No matter what stage you receive job rejection at, it can feel defeating. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to bounce back and find your next great career opportunity. Read below for our tips on re-starting your job search after getting rejected from a career opportunity. 

Send a Thank You Note

Despite any negative feelings you may have towards the company that you interviewed with, it is always a good idea to leave things on positive terms. A good way to do this is to send a thank you note to the individuals you interviewed with. You can also ask them to connect on LinkedIn and politely request to be considered for any future openings. By leaving things on a positive note, you can open up opportunities in the future and feel comfortable keeping in touch on any potential opportunities. For tips on wiring a thank you note, check out our blog, “Should You Send a Post-Interview Thank You Note?” 

Capitalize on Feedback 

While constructive criticism can be difficult to swallow at times, it can be a useful tool for self-reflection and improvement. Sometimes feedback will be provided automatically from the organization, while other times the company may not provide those details. In that case, you can professionally and respectfully ask the interviewer for information as to why you were not selected for the position. Having some insight into why you were not selected will help you identify any potential weaknesses or gaps that you may have and help you improve those for future opportunities.  

Reflect on Your Experience  

In addition to analyzing any feedback received, you will also want to take time to reflect on your experience. How did you answer the questions they asked? How do your skills and experience match up to the position? Thinking about these things and more can help you identify the reasons you may have not been successful in landing the job and shape your experiences for next time. For example, if you made it to the phone screen but didn’t ultimately make it to a formal interview, you may have not included information on your resume that matches the job requirements. It is also possible in that scenario that you might have answered some of the questions that were asked in a way that made the recruiter think you might not be a good fit for the role. Analyzing these scenarios may help you identify areas of improvement and ultimately help you do better next time.   

Take Action

Once you’ve had time to reflect on the reasons why you may not have previously been successful in the role, it is time to take action and continue in your job search. Start by researching open roles that are in your field of interest and fit your skills and experience. From there, continue to apply to companies that you are excited about the opportunity to work for. By casting a wide net, you can get your resume in front of more hiring managers. Additionally, consider other methods of job searching, such as networking. A shocking 60 percent of jobs are found through networking versus online. Professional organizations, volunteering and online forums are great ways to network with professionals that can ultimately help you learn more about jobs that you didn’t know were out there.  

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