It's Not Them; It's You: 3 Reasons You Haven’t Gotten the Job Offer

It is daunting not to see the results of your efforts when seeking a new job. It is even more frustrating when you progress through the interview stages, and still not offered the position. However, after several close calls, or no calls at all, you must conduct a job search reflection to evaluate your application materials and overall interview preparation and conduct. To launch your thinking, you must first identify the roadblock that best matches your situation.

1.     I apply to jobs all the time, but they never call me to set up an interview.

2.     I had a phone interview, but they never followed up with me about the next steps.

3.     I thought that the in-person interview went great, but they chose someone else.

In the blog below, you will learn more in detail about how to combat these typical roadblocks to get the job that you desire. Answer each set of questions to guide your thinking and reflection. 

I Apply – They Don’t Call

·      Am I applying to any vacant position or specifically to ones that match my experience?

·      Have I tailored my resume to match the roles that I am applying to? 

·      Is my contact information accurate and displayed on my resume and job profiles?

Hiring managers and recruiters typically receive 250 applications for a single job posting, which means that 249 other people are applying for the same role as you. High apply rates are one of the main reasons companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), which delete applications/resumes that do not contain the qualifications, technical knowledge, or experience that companies seek. To combat this, you must make sure that your resume is tailored to the specific job roles that you are applying to. For example, if you are applying for retail marketing roles, your resume should match what a typical retail marketing job posting would detail. You should not use this same resume to apply for a teaching position, because the terms and competencies are different. If you are not getting called back, your resume is not making it through the ATS system. Invest (time or money) into revamping your resume to set yourself up for success.

Ghosted After the Phone Interview

·      Did I adequately bring my personality to life over the phone?

·      Was I too modest, or too proud, in the delivery of my skill set and qualifications? 

·      How did I share my interest and knowledge of the company?

Companies utilize screening interviews to gauge a candidate’s ability to be successful in the specific role and with the broader team. Phone interviews are the bridge between understanding a person's on-paper and actual selves, and hiring managers use them to understand who you are as a person and what you have to offer. Therefore, you should not read or regurgitate your resume. Instead, you should pull out 2-3 essential qualifications that make you the perfect candidate for the position and emphasize them! Focusing on less is more, as they have already seen your resume. Use this time to convince them that you would be a great hire. Even though they cannot see your smile, it still translates, so make sure that you are smiling when speaking. Then, to seal the deal, impress them by asking questions that covertly tells them that you have done your research and are interested in their company. For example, 

“I noticed on your website that Pepsi is launching a new Diversity and Inclusion initiative. I know that it might be early in the planning, but what are some new programs? Is there an opportunity for all staff members to get involved?”

They Liked Me – But Not Enough to Give Me the Job

·      Did I present my best professional self (attire and interactions)?

·      Was I adequately prepared for the interviewer’s questions? 

 How you prepare for an interview shows in-the-moment. In addition to researching the company, you should also spend time writing out responses to some of the most popular interview questions. As you are preparing your anticipated responses, you should ensure that you are clearly articulating the scenario, your specific action steps, and the resolution. To help frame your responses, consider utilizing the STAR method, as it ensures that each of your responses contains a: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Once you have scripted all of your anticipated questions and answers, have someone conduct a mock interview with you. Practicing will allow you to succinctly convey your answers and reduce any interview anxiety you might have. Then following your real interview, take 5 minutes to write down all questions that they asked. Then you can reflect and plan for your next interview and walk in with even more confidence.

To be insane is to do the same things, expecting different results. It might be time to step back, reflect, and plan a new approach to your job search strategy, and that is okay! You’ve got this!

Diana Williams, Resume Tailor