You've been searching for a job forever (or what seems like forever) and nothing's popping up. Perhaps you're employed already, but you just can't stand your boss or your work. Or maybe you're unemployed and exhausted. You just don't know what you're doing wrong.
What are some reasons a person is not hired? It's an unfortunate but common problem. If you haven't been able to find a job, there are several things you could be doing wrong. The good news is that many of them are easy to fix once you know what the issue is.
1. You’re not tailoring your cover letter or resume to the job at hand.
"How can I find a job quickly?" That's the question — and one some people believe can be fixed by focusing on quantity rather than quality. That means churning out applications that aren't tailored to the specific position at hand. Skills and qualities that apply to one job may simply not be suitable for others. Employers will quickly spot cover letters and resumes that seem generic and don't apply specifically to them.
What you should be doing: While it will take some more time and effort, it's important to tailor each resume and cover letter to the position at hand. Employers receive many, many applications for their job listings, and to stand out, you need to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm. That means listing qualifications that are relevant to this particular job and employer and explaining why you care about this job — not just any old job.
2. You’re not doing your homework.
Similarly, if you're not spending any time researching the company, an employer may quickly pass over your application, even if you're qualified. This is especially important before an
interview; if you show up and don't seem to know much about the company, the employer will dismiss you as not being very excited about the job, as well as being ill-prepared for your interview. But it's important to do some research before applying, too.
What you should be doing: Research. Even before you press submit on your application, make sure you've incorporated a few details about the company in your cover letter. This helps with #1, too — you're tailoring your application to the job at hand by mentioning what excites you about it. Ramp up your research before every interview, too: read any news and collateral about the company, check out their social media accounts and ask around.
3. You’re being careless.
Careless errors turn hiring managers off to otherwise very qualified candidates. Perhaps you have typos in your cover letter or forgot to change the name of the employer in your template. Or, you show up to an interview without copies of your resume, and you haven't even taken the time to iron your shirt. Maybe you haven't prepared, either.
What you should be doing: Take care with every step of the job search process. Thoroughly proofread your applications and ask a friend to take a look, too. Prepare for interviews by practicing, preferably with someone else, and make sure you act and look professional.
4. You’re not investing enough time.
If you're not prioritizing your job search, you're going to have trouble finding a job. It's not going to just come to you — you have to put in the time to make it happen.
What you should be doing: The cliche about
looking for a job being your full-time job is true. You need to invest time and effort into your job search in order to reap the rewards. This means applying to a certain number of jobs every day (set goals), carving out time to prepare for interviews and networking.
5. You’re not enthusiastic enough.
If you're coming across as bored in interviews, it will be obvious to the hiring manager or recruiter. For example, you may be indicating that you just want any job or that you intend to use this role as a stepping stone. Employers want to hire people who want to work for them, so this could be impeding your job search.
What you should be doing: First of all, you should only be applying for jobs that you actually want, even if they're not your end goal. You should also make an effort to be enthusiastic in every interview, whether it's in person or over the phone. Ask plenty of questions, especially about topics that relate to the conversation you've been having with your interviewers. This shows that you've been paying attention and are engaged. Be sure to send
thank you notes and include details about what you discussed, too.
6. Your qualifications don’t match the job.
Just out of college? It's probably not time to be applying for an executive role at a marketing firm. On the flip side, if you have years of experience under your belt, a prospective employer will wonder why you're applying for an entry-level role for which you're probably overqualified. It could indicate that you're desperate to be hired and don't care where you work or what you do, which will raise some eyebrows.
What you should be doing: You need to make sure you're well-suited to the role in question. While the years of experience listed in a job ad aren't necessarily set in stone, you can use this as a starting point to gauge how evenly matched you are with the position. Read the requirements to assess how qualified you are. You should be well-versed in the skills needed, but you should aim for something that challenges you, too. For example, if every duty overlaps with your current role, it could be a sign that you're overqualified, but if you've never had to handle many of the responsibilities listed, you may need to aim for a more junior position.
7. You’re not networking enough.
A survey conducted in conjunction with LinkedIn found that 85% of positions are filled because of networking. If you're only relying on completing job applications, no matter how diligent you're being, you're missing out if you're not leveraging your network. Remember that many positions aren't even listed (exact estimates of how many or what percentage vary), so there are probably plenty of opportunities you won't even find unless you network.
What you should be doing: The obvious solution is to network, network, network! Tell everyone you know that you're looking and the type of role you want. Look on LinkedIn for connections who work for employers who interest you or have connections that do. Attend industry meetups and events. You need to get the word out, and you never know who might know someone who can connect you to your
dream job.
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This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.
Laura Berlinsky-Schine is a freelance editor and writer based in Brooklyn with her demigod/lab-mix Hercules. She primarily focuses on education, technology and career development. She has worked with Penguin Random House, Fairygodboss, CollegeVine, BairesDev and many other publications and organizations. Her humor writing has appeared in the Weekly Humorist, Slackjaw, Little Old Lady Comedy, Flexx Magazine, Points in Case, Jane Austen's Wastebasket, and Greener Pastures. She also writes fiction and essays, which have appeared in publications including The Memoirist and The Avalon Literary Review. View her work and get in touch at: www.lauraberlinskyschine.com.
What's your no.1 job search strategy? Share your answer in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members!
