6 Reasons You’re Not Getting Hired (And How You Can Rise Up)
March 16, 2021 | Career Blog
Trying to find a job can become frustrating very quickly. If you find yourself asking ‘why am I not getting hired?’ it can be really tempting to go down a rabbit hole of self doubt. Don’t go there! There are a lot of possible reasons for why you are experiencing difficulties. What matters the most is figuring out what gives and then coming up with a plan. Here are some ideas of what could be holding you back and how you can turn it all around.
What Gives
Whether you have little work experience, you’re considering a new path, or you’re trying to navigate the new job market with the addition of the Covid-19 pandemic, there are a handful of common things that can turn off employers. It’s important to keep in mind that you want to stand out against the other people responding to the job ad and that your response is the hiring manager’s first impression of you. That means that even a spelling error in the subject line of the email you send can make a difference. Some other factors that could be holding you back are:
- Your cover letter. This should be short and sweet, reflecting enthusiastic interest and professionalism.
- Your resume. As a representation of your qualifications and overall capabilities, your resume needs to be professional and easy to read. Big gaps in between jobs, layout & spelling issues, and very little information are common red flags for hiring managers.
- Qualifications. Your work experience, responsibilities, and skills listed on your resume should match up with the qualifications listed in the job ad.
- Timeliness. Make sure to show up on time to your interview. In fact, get there at least 10 minutes early as there are many employers who view ‘on time’ as ‘late’. It’s also important that you respond to emails and phone calls within 24 hours, especially in the beginning. Waiting too long to respond gives off the impression that you have more important things going on and/or leaves too much time for them to explore other potential candidates.
- Lack of confidence. Nerves and low confidence can really give the wrong impression. With the right preparation before your interview, you can walk in feeling confident that you are right for the job.
- Follow up. If it’s been a couple of days since you sent your resume, send a follow up email. Perhaps your email got lost in the slew of emails sent to that inbox. A follow up positions your email back on top of the person’s inbox to ensure you’re not overlooked.
Some Tips
Aside from the things to avoid when applying for jobs, there are also some things to consider doing that can really help your chances for an interview and hire. Here is what we recommend:
- Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the company, position, and industry so you sound informed.
- Point your resume. You should be editing your resume to adhere to each and every job you’re applying to. Keep in mind that hiring managers will be skimming it quickly and looking for specific things. Try to identify what those things might be based on the job ad and make them easy to find.
- Be professional. Show up on time, dress nice, and thank your interviewer for their consideration.
- Look up standard interview questions and write out your answers. Even if they don’t ask you these exact questions in your interview, it’s good to be prepared for anything. This will also help you to situate your mindset so you are ready to discuss your intentions and capabilities in an eloquent manner.
- Ask for help. The job market is in an odd place right now with the pandemic and all of the changes businesses have had to make as a result. If you have considered working with staffing experts in the past, there is no better time than now to give it a shot.
We Can Get You Hired
All of that information can feel like a lot to process for many. If you’re reading through this and feeling overwhelmed, we can help! As a staffing agency, we have ways of assessing your qualifications and getting you interviews that make the process of finding a job way less work for you.
How We Help
- We have an ongoing list of job openings across many different industries.
- Our staffing opportunities have both temporary and full-time potential.
- Interview coaching and resume tlc is provided for free.
- If one job isn’t the right fit for you, we will explore other options.
Additional Benefits
- Less stress, more work.
- Try out the job before you commit.
- A collection of possibilities at your fingertips.
- Help and support every step of the way.
Ready to get hired and start making some much needed dough? Give us a call today!