There is a difference between unemployed and unemployable people. Many unemployed ones wait for weeks and months to land a satisfactory job. Finding out the reasons for not getting the job and the related curative measures will help you improve yourself. It will take you in the right direction, thus, eliminating your ambiguity. Let’s learn about ‘Why Can’t I Get A Job?’.
Why Can’t I Get A Job?: Reasons & What To Do?
The reasons for not getting a job include employment gap, the application does not pass the ATS, the resume being in general, you being overqualified or underqualified, or you being not prepared enough. Realizing where you lag and improving those areas will help you a lot.
Reasons And Solutions For Not Getting A Job
The following are the reasons and solutions for not getting a job:
1. Employment Gap
Your resume may indicate a long period since you left your previous job. Your skills can be seen as rusted iron. The interviewers ask about the same after going through the resume.
Solution
Explain to the interviewer what you did during the employment gap, and explain it in your resume or cover letter. Your issues can be frequent shifting, medical, family, higher education, and more. So, frame your sentences properly and make your issues look legitimate. It is better than being quiet.
2. The Application Does Not Pass The (Applicant Tracking System) ATS
Companies that get thousands of applications regularly tend to use the ATS to filter the applications according to the job requirements. Your resume may not pass through it if it does not get tailored well.
Solution
Use keywords in your resume; especially while mentioning the skills you possess. You will find those keywords in the job requirements, skills required, and responsibilities of the job posting. Thus, go through the job posting thoroughly. Do not cheat to pass through the ATS. Otherwise, you may end up getting rejected.
3. The Resume Is In-General
It indicates that you did not put enough effort and research to create your resume. You must be sending the same cover letter for different applications without tailoring it for every job. It indicates that you did not put enough effort to apply in this company.
Solution
Tailor your resume and cover letter according to the job description and read them. Recognize the keywords and use them in your resume even if you are applying for the same role in different companies. Mention relevant skills, leadership positions held, accomplishments, challenging tasks, and more. Use bullet lists and avoid mentioning entry-level tasks if not required.
4. You Are Underqualified
Underqualified means the candidate does possess the minimum required qualification, skills, experience, etc according to the job requirement. Similarly, several eligible candidates must be waiting for the position you have applied for. If a candidate does not possess skills for the position requiring the same, the company may not choose that candidate. No company will waste its resources to train an underqualified candidate.
Solution
On the one hand, keep trying for jobs. On the other hand, keep gaining the skills required for the role. Work somewhere temporarily to gain experience till you find the relevant job because it may take you a long to land a satisfactory job. Demonstrate the related skills to the employer correctly.
5. You Are Overqualified
Start-ups or companies looking for candidates for low-level roles may not afford highly-experienced candidates. They may even think that you may leave the company when you find a better opportunity. You may be even more qualified than the senior. It indicates your high salary demand.
Solution
Mention your flexibility related to salary in your cover letter/resume. Mention only the required skills, experience, etc. So, do not exaggerate. Make your intention of joining the job/company clear during the interview.
6. You Have Not Prepared Enough For The Selection Process
The selection process includes a written test, aptitude, group discussion, interview, etc. Poor communication and vocabulary, stammering, and grammatical mistakes may land you in trouble. Technical interviews are equally important. You may lose the opportunity if you get screwed in the technical round even if you have cleared all other rounds.
Solution
Do thorough research and understand the selection process of the company. Similarly, look for the questions asked during the same. Go for understanding the logic behind the questions instead of only memorizing.
Utilizing Time
Utilize the period when you are unemployed to improve garnish your skills and personality. Go through various job descriptions to understand what the companies are looking for in the candidates. Gain the required skills and develop your personality.
Meditation, yoga, and exercise will help you to get confident and overcome the depression of being unemployed. Start valuing your time even if the world does not. Increase your online presence. You may even take a break from the job search for a few days to work on yourself.
Conclusion
Improve yourself every time. Take every failure as a stepping stone to success. Not getting a job is depressing, but you may overcome it using the appropriate methods mentioned in this article because you may be going wrong most time. Moving ahead gets easy when you know where to go.
