3 REASONS YOU’RE NOT GETTING CALLED FOR INTERVIEWS EVEN AFTER FILLING OUT HUNDREDS OF APPLICATIONS

June 8, 2015

The job market is tight, yes, I know. Companies have really tightened up their hiring policies making it difficult for students (both recent grads and current undergrad students) to find internships and entry level jobs. However, with increasing competition and scarcity of employment, there are certain things you can do to stand out from the rest of the pack.That being said, below are some of the reasons your job search is tough right now.

1) Your resume sucks! No, like REALLY sucks. Rampant spelling errors, inconsistency in fonts, spacing, and verb tenses. Working in recruitment, I have seen it all. You may be a great candidate for a position but that resume is what’s going to get you in the door. If it isn’t presentable, it goes right in the garbage.

2) Cover Letter catastrophe. Gone are the days of writing a generic cover letter for every single position. Your  cover letters have to be tailored to the job and present a brief summary about who you are and how you would add value to this organization. Generic cover letters highlighting that you love swimming aren’t going to cut it for a financial analyst position.

3) You’re forgetting to use your network. Sure, many positions are advertised on the internet and give everyone a clear understanding of the people “X” companies want to hire. Many people overlook their networks for job/career opportunities. That professor you spoke to in the food court line, a fellow church member who happens to be a recruiter, etc. We often get business cards and do NOTHING with them. FOLLOWING UP is CRUCIAL when networking. This is how people get some of the coolest jobs out there. Talk to someone, let them know that you’re looking for work. That’s how to get the ball rolling.

The job search can be daunting but you can take ACTION today to put yourself in a better position.