12 Reasons You’re Not Getting Hired & What to Do Instead
We’re all familiar with the monthly U.S. jobs reports that indicate more people are getting hired and fewer people are unemployed. If you’ve been out of work for a while and have been looking for a job, you’re probably wondering why you’re not getting hired.
It’s not that you’re unworthy of having a career, but it may be because you’re unknowingly doing (or not doing) things that reduce your chances of getting hired. All hope isn’t lost. Once you know what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it, you’re returning to gainful employment.
1. Using the Same Resume
The days of typing a single resume and sending it to every company are over. This approach may have worked in the past, but no longer. Employers want to see how you fit in a role; a generic resume doesn’t do that.
Instead, craft resumes that are customized to each job you’re applying for. Make sure to highlight your skills that match what the specific job is looking for. Use the same terminology that the job description uses. That will increase your chances of your resume getting seen.
2. Not Including a Cover Letter
Some companies require a cover letter to be written as part of the application process, but many do not. By not including a cover letter, you may not attract the hiring manager’s attention, and your resume may be overlooked.
Even if the company you’re applying to doesn’t require a cover letter to be included with your resume, send one anyway. This demonstrates you’re willing to go above and beyond what is asked of you. If the company specifically states not to include a cover letter, skip it.
3. Failing to Proofread
You put much effort into creating and typing up your resume and cover letter. You work hard to make it look professional, and at first glance, it does. That is, until you see the typographical errors. If you notice them, prospective employers will, too.
Take the time to closely review your resume and cover letters, checking for errors. If you can, ask someone else to look at your resume and cover letter to see if they can spot any errors. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can catch what you may miss. It’s an extra step that’s worth taking.
4. Lying About Skills and Experience
While searching the job boards, you find what you believe is the perfect one for you. It offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. Still, your experience doesn’t quite line up with the description, so you exaggerate your skill set, knowledge base, or length of time that you’ve worked. It’s too easy to verify falsehoods, and they’ll come out at some point in the process.
No matter how badly you want a job, always be 100 percent honest on your resume and during the interview if you make it that far. It’s better to admit you don’t know something but are willing to learn than it is to lie. Prospective employers will respect you more if you tell the truth.
5. No Application Strategy
You‘ve probably heard the stories of people who’ve been unemployed for a while, who send out dozens of resumes a day without a call back for an interview. Maybe you’ve even done this yourself. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and counterproductive.
A better method of applying is to research which jobs you want to apply for and customize your resume to highlight your skills for the specific position you’re applying for. This extra step will save you time and frustration from sending out random resumes.
6. Avoid Networking
Networking is probably one of the hardest things to do, especially if you’re naturally introverted or don’t want to come across as needy. Networking can open career doors that otherwise wouldn’t be on your radar or would be difficult, if not impossible, to get in.
Friends, relatives, and even business acquaintances may have the inside track on job openings within their organizations. They may either know about impending job openings or know of an open position that would fit your skill set. It doesn’t hurt to ask for leads.
7. Underselling Yourself
Think of a magazine ad page or billboard for a specific product or service. The purpose of the ad is to sell something to prospective buyers. That’s what your resume does for you: it sells your skills and experience to potential employers. If you’re not highlighting the strengths that make you the ideal candidate, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
The goal is to land a job, not a date, so don’t be afraid to boast about your accomplishments and what you’re good at. Organizations won’t know what you can do for them unless you say it, so go ahead and toot your own horn on that resume!
8. Not Researching the Company
Blindly applying to a company without knowing anything about it, such as its mission and values, is a big mistake. You’ll want to work for an organization that’s a good fit for you and aligned with your values, not just because it’s a steady paycheck.
Review the company’s website to see what products or services it offers. Check the pages about the company’s history and who the current members of the leadership team are. Look at its mission and values statements. Re-read the job description. This information is useful before applying for a job and during an interview.
9. You’re Overqualified
Experienced workers seeking new jobs can attest to this issue. They apply for a job they’re overqualified for, and prospective employers are wary about giving them a chance out of fear they’ll either expect too much money or they’llbe bored with the position and won’t stay.
To combat this perception, highlight your skills that match the job description. Indicate in your cover letter that you’re willing to be flexible regarding salary and will do the work that’s required. That will increase your chances of being interviewed.
10. Being Unprepared
Landing an interview is half the battle, but you must be adequately prepared for the meeting to have a fighting chance of landing the job. Not researching the company, not knowing the job description details, dressing inappropriately, not having questions to ask, and arriving late are all signs of an unserious candidate.
Knowing about the organization, remembering the job description, and having 2-3 questions ready to ask are signs of a serious, prepared candidate. Wearing the appropriate attire, silencing your cell phone, and arriving no more than 10 minutes early let interviewers know you’re enthusiastic about the opportunity.
11. Responding Too Quickly to Questions
Job interviews are nerve-wracking, and you want to make your best impression on the interviewers. In your nervousness, you may cut them off when they’re asking you a question or respond immediately to questions. Even though you’re just nervous, it may come across as rude or thoughtless.
When you’re asked a question, actively listen and allow the interviewer to say the entire sentence first. Before responding, take a breath to calm your nerves, give yourself a few seconds to think of a response, even if you already have one planned, then speak. That way you’ll sound more polite and thoughtful.
12. No Follow Up
Once you’ve completed the interview, going radio silent and waiting to hear back from them is an excellent way to get forgotten in the group of candidates applying for the same job as you. You need to give yourself an edge over the others.
Take a few minutes to write thank you letters or emails to the interviewers. If possible, get their business cards at the end of the interview so you know where to send the letters or emails. It’s a small gesture that makes you stand out and can make the difference between getting a job offer or not.
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