The biggest frustration I hear from job seekers: lack of interviews. Some are telling me they are sending out hundreds of resumes a week (which in and of itself is a big problem), while others are simply about ready to throw in the towel. I’ve even had a handful of job seekers who have made it to the interview round blame not being picked on the order in which they interviewed. In addition to some of the more obvious reasons, such as having an ineffective resume, or that the competition level out there is at an all time high, there are other causes that may not so readily come to mind. I have compiled 10 of the most common reasons from my experience below. If you are experiencing this same frustration yourself, take a careful look at each and determine if any could be contributing to your own lack of results.
Social media
As a job seeker, social media can be your best friend. It also can become your worst enemy. When it comes to Facebook, it is probably a good idea to set your profile privacy parameters in a manner that does not let the public see your personal exploits. Think of it as another “reference check.” If you are posting pictures showing you engaging in sketchy behavior, or making posts that could be construed as offensive or discriminatory I nature, you could be ruled out automatically by an employer. And just because you set your privacy settings or detag yourself from pictures, realize that they still exist. Once something is posted online, it never totally disappears.
Email address
Literally, one of the very first things a prospective employer will see, even before opening your resume via email, is your email address itself. Let me tell you from experience, I have seen some personal emails used to submit resumes that have been anything but professional. It may be funny to use such emails with friends, but probably not a good idea to use when sending your resume to employers. It’s better to stick with a professional "firstname.lastname@xxxxxxx.com" style email for your resume (i.e. John.Smith@gmail.com). Save the funny versions for your private interactions with friends and family.
Sending the wrong type of file types
The whole point in applying is to get your resume in the hands of someone who makes hiring decisions so that you can be selected for an interview; if your resume can’t be read or opened from the start, the entire point is nullified. I have seen more than one exceptional candidate passed over because his/her resume was not able to be viewed. Make sure to avoid using DOCX, OpenOffice.org ODT and JPG, and this is why.
Unrealistic salary requirements
When it comes to salary requirements, if a job ad doesn't specifically mention it, then DON’T offer it. Most ads don’t ask for salary requirements, but when they do, there are reasons for doing so. The most prominent is to weed out candidates who are out of the desired range. If your salary requirement is too high, you will most likely be screened out because the company assumes you will not be happy working for less than you desire. On the other end of the spectrum, if you state a salary that is lower than they intend to pay, then you may be shooting yourself in the foot assuming that you make it through the interview process. Either way, it is important to do your homework before you rule yourself out.
Lack of a degree when required
Many employers will overlook the lack of a degree if an applicant has sufficient experience directly related to the position. The key is to place the spotlight on the achievements, unique skill set, and distinctive background you do possess. You can also boost your candidate standing by emphasizing professional development or training endeavors in order to display a commitment to particular development within your field of expertise. If you have attended some college, then stress the coursework you have completed. If you have not completed any college, think about enrolling in a degree program so that you can list the name of the institution and anticipated degree and graduation date on your resume. Finally, do not mention on your resume or cover letter that you don’t have a degree. This unnecessarily brings attention to an issue that can be overcome, and you may as well raise the white flag in defeat by so doing.
Appearing overqualified
If you find yourself being told you are overqualified, don’t despair. There are strategies that can be successfully utilized to combat the overqualified label. The best way to address being overqualified is head-on. There is no need to dumb down your resume, or try to appear to be less qualified. Tackle the situation by bringing up the issue first. Don't shy away from the fact that you are overqualified, but rather use it to your advantage by emphasizing that you have a wide range of skills to draw upon, and that you can be an asset in many different facets of the organization's daily business operations.
Not understanding Applicant Tracking Systems
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are databases or other software systems that store and retrieve job information, and in theory identify and match applicants to specific positions open at any given time within an organization. Although ATS’s really only became mainstream in 2006, they are becoming more popular, and more companies are beginning to use them. An ATS can fulfill many functions, and can not only be used for screening candidates, but also for applicant testing, scheduling interviews, managing the hiring process, checking references, and completing new-hire paperwork. Each resume that is submitted can be stored for several months, or many years. It all depends on the time parameters set by the company. An ATS streamlines the search process as it can organize, screen, sort, track, and reply to applicants. But keep in mind that it is VITAL that you position your resume with the right key words so that you give yourself the best chance of being selected. The easiest way to incorporate key words is to read through the specific job posting a few times, and be mindful of the words that stick out as being the most important. These are the words you need to infuse in a key word section, Profile and Summary of Qualifications. But I caution you that you should include key words or phrases ONLY IF you have actual experience with it. The closer you can align key words wanted for the position with your resume, the greater your chances are to be selected. It may take 5-10 extra minutes to do so, but if it saves you searching for months, it is well worth it.
Focusing too much on you
The unfortunate truth is that right now in this economy, the power lies with employers. A prospective employer wants to know what you bring to the table, and what value you bring to their organization. If you don’t have the skills, education, or experience to meet the requirements needed in the position, it is completely irrelevant what demands you carry. And even if you do have the aforementioned background, but demonstrate a lack of genuine interest in the company by focusing exclusively on your needs, then you will not make it past the screening stage. Hiring decisions are made to fit the needs of the company, not yours.
Defeated attitude
It’s the dreaded letter, the one that says “Thank you for interest in applying for”…or “Thank you for taking the time to interview with us, but…..” More commonly now, a letter (or email) isn’t even sent to give you the bad news. You either figure it out when you never hear back, or when you finally get a call back or are lucky enough to talk to someone at the company directly. Regardless of how you find out, it is natural to experience any of a range of emotions; disappointment, failure, frustration and even defeat. How you respond to a rejection can literally shape the course for the rest of your job search, good or bad. If you choose to dwell on it, it can cripple your confidence, destroy your morale, and inadvertently affect the outcome of future interviews. However, if you choose to learn from the rejection, and take time to find out the specific reasons why you were not selected for a position, you can improve on any deficiencies and be better prepared for the next time.
Not networking
Finally, if you are not networking, you are missing out on the hidden job market, and thus over 80% of all jobs out there. According to the Harvard Business Review, networking is a crucial strategy for developing relationships that can help you gain insight into an industry or a company. In fact, 65 to 85 percent of jobs are found through networking. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that “70 percent of all jobs are found through networking.” And the New York State Department of Labor’s website states that “Eighty percent of available jobs are never advertised, and over half of all employees get their jobs through networking” These numbers are pretty compelling. It tells me as a job seeker that I should be spending anywhere between 65-85 percent of my time networking. I would actually suggest keeping that number more in the area of 80% or more. In fact a recent survey by the Wall Street Journal reported that 94 percent of successful job hunters claimed that networking had made all the difference for them. Don’t neglect using alumni as part of your job search, and any solid job search today should absolutely include LinkedIn.
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