The job search can be a long and tiring process. More so when it keeps failing repeatedly and leaves you with a feeling of hopelessness. Of course, job rejections aren’t a new thing, nor are you the only person facing them. Nevertheless, rejections, especially when addressed towards your skill sets, can be extremely damaging. They can leave a person challenging their worth and force them into a cycle of self-depreciation. Why Am I Not Getting a Job Interview?
Is it your fault that you’re not being called for job interviews? Not. Every individual has something to offer and being rejected once, twice, or even five times does not make you a ‘worthless’ candidate. Believe me; you have a lot to offer.
However, the hiring staff of a company often shortlists candidates based upon their skill sets and the company’s requirements. A major reason candidates are often not shortlisted for interviews is that they fail to meet the company’s requirements and not because they aren’t ‘good enough.’ Most selected candidates show potential to adequately meet the company’s requirements and fill the existing vacuum.
This article attempts to help job seekers understand why companies might not be reaching out to them and how they can modify their job search to get more fruitful results. By the end of the article, we believe you will better understand the hiring process, allowing you to bag in countless opportunities.
Are You Sending Out Quality Resumes?
Resumes are critical if you wish to be shortlisted for a job interview, which is why you need to ensure that your Resume is exceptional. But what is a good resume?
A resume isn’t just a summary of your experience within an industry. It is a statement of your work ethic, aims, and how you wish to achieve them through a particular job. It should very clearly state your experience, accomplishments, and ambitions, all of which would make a strong and impressive statement.
Secondly, make sure that you make your resume presentable. It doesn’t have to be colorful with modern designs, but it must be aesthetic and pleasant to look at. Bold lines, margins, clear distinctions between different headings make it easier for your hiring team to follow the document. Hiring managers shuffle through hundreds of resumes in a single day, and a neat, coherent resume will leave a good impression.
List only the most important and relevant jobs on your Resume. Adding too many jobs, half of which may nowhere be related to the job you’re applying for is no good.
Lastly, send it to the right place! Do not just mass send your Resume to a lot of job openings. Read the requirements, and see if you meet them. Mark keywords in their job descriptions and try assimilating them in your Resume. Also, do not forget to follow up. If you sent your resume weeks ago and have yet to hear a reply, send them a follow-up email.
You Don’t Meet the Requirements.
Now, you might think, isn’t that a given? We’re not being shortlisted because we don’t meet the requirements. However, there is a lot more to that.
Being underqualified for a job seems like a valid reason for not making it to the interview round. However, being overqualified, too, can mess up your chances of landing a job interview.
While having more experience might seem like a bonus, often employers second guess your motives and intentions for applying for temporary and junior level jobs. Employers might hence, end up choosing a candidate with less but more relevant experience than a more experienced person.
For example, they might not consider you a temporary position if you’ve already worked as a senior manager before. Instead, they might look for more fresh candidates who have experience closer to the open position.
You’re Not Applying to the Right Places
No one is tailor-made for anything and everything. There are certain job positions that you’re inexperienced in and not qualified enough for.
Look at your work history and match it with the company’s requirements. While you don’t have to check to mark every requirement they put up, it is still beneficial if you meet at least two-thirds of those requirements.
Also remember, that often in a resume that is too bulky and full, brimming with job experiences, relevant work tends to get overlooked. So, while you might be qualified for the job due to a lengthy and unseat Resume, your experience fails to catch the employer’s eye, which ends with, yet again, a failed try.
It is advised that you edit and modify your Resume each time you send it across for a new job position. Edit your statement and only add relevant job experiences and projects. Make it short and neat such that the important bits truly stand out.
‘Faults’ and ‘Patterns’ in Your History and Resume
Is there a work gap in your Resume? Or a pattern of job-hopping? Employers are quick to notice such gaps and patterns on your Resume, which may influence their decision.
To not send the wrong message across, you can simply acknowledge this in your cover letter.
The goal of a cover letter is to sell your accomplishments and why you’re fit for the job. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase yourself as a worthy candidate and highlight your strengths and what sets you apart from other candidates. This is also the opportunity to address any drawbacks that you feel might cause a problem in the future.
All in all, address your issues in a confident yet polite manner and avoid writing a generic cover letter to give your overall profile an edge.
Another commonly noted error is that candidates often do not give referrals. A good way to ensure that the employers seriously consider you are to give a genuine and reliable referral as it adds more weight and helps them verify your candidacy.
Others
There are also countless other reasons as to why you might not be getting shortlisted for job interviews. The result is never-ending. These were just some most commonly noticed reasons why employers might not be considering you. Other reasons can be extremely vast.
- Social Media Presence
Yes, you read that right. An unprofessional social media presence can be extremely damaging to your candidacy. Employers often go through the profiles you write down on your resumes to get an idea of your interests and if you are a suitable fit for the work environment. Therefore, a social media presence that isn’t very ‘professional’ is best left out unmentioned.
- Distance
You might live far from the location and might be an out-of-state candidate while the employer prefers to hire more local people. It is always better to check the job description and cross-check if they have distance or location preferences.
- The Company Made Other Decisions
It is possible that the company decided to rethink its decision of hiring a new employee and went back on its decision. Perhaps, they just hired an in-candidate or had someone already working there to fill up the position. However, it isn’t unheard of and more common than more candidates may think it to be.
There are various other reasons. The list is too long. However, the more important part is to remind yourself that you aren’t ‘good enough.’ Rejections are handed out for several reasons; the only thing you can do is keep applying until you find a job that perfectly suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. If I haven’t heard back from a job interview, does it mean I have not been selected?
It is most likely that you’ve not been shortlisted for the job position. However, if you haven’t heard back from the employers, it is probably a good idea to send a follow-up email.
Q2. How do I make my Resume look more attractive?
In a way, your Resume should have its aesthetics. Hirers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and hence, often skim over the entire thing. A neat resume uses margins, grids, and lines to separate different heading and leaves adequate white space, which is easier to read and comprehend than a bulkier one.
Don’t overdo it. It is okay to stick to a more professional, black-blue-white color scheme. Unless you’re applying for a more creative job, then having fun with designing your Resume is just another bonus!
Q3. What information should I add to my Resume?
Add the most relevant piece of information. Do not try to make your resumes extraordinarily long and heavy. Instead, only add experiences and projects relevant to the job opening you’re planning to apply for.
Tailor your resume for every job. Edit and modify your career statement, your experiences, and even your goals and ambitions. Of course, the same also stands true for a cover letter.
