Posts Tagged ‘career help’

If you’ve been on a job hunt that has seemed to last forever, you may be asking yourself why it never works out. You think you’re doing everything you can, you’re even getting asked to come in for interviews. But the call backs are never happening.

Here are three reasons why employers may be overlooking you:

1.) You aren’t explaining why you’re the perfect fit for the job
You may know that you’re the person they need for the open position. You may also know that even if you didn’t say a word, your resume or application should speak for itself – just look at all of the parallel experience. But, are you too close to it all to be able to tell unbiasedly if the employer sees what you see?

Take a look at how you explain yourself during your interview. Make sure you are thorough to the point of almost too much detail. You never want to leave the interviewer having to assume anything about your, your work history or why you can do this potential job very well. If you’re comfortable with it, walk your interviewer through your application or resume, highlighting areas that show you have the skills and experience necessary to do this job well.

If you lay it all out in the interview stage with enthusiasm, you’re bound to get a better reaction than you have previously received.

2.) The information you’re providing employers is too generic
This can easily be added to the above point, but I feel it’s so important that it needs to be segmented out. Generic cover letters and resumes are no longer acceptable. If you have sent out the same cover letter and/or resume to the past 20 employers that you have wanted to work for and nothing has turned out in your favor, it’s because you sent out something that wasn’t tailored for them. If you need more reasons other than the obvious as to why being generic is a bad idea, check out this article from StaffingNow.com.

Take the extra time to engage in that employer’s culture before even stepping foot in the door for an interview. Look at their website, see if you have any friends that currently work at the company. Perhaps they have a blog or a Facebook page – be sure to study that. Know what you’re getting into and then reflect that knowledge in your introduction to the company – your resume or application.

You’ll be surprised how many more people will respond when they feel like an applicant has taken time to look into their company. It may be just the turn-around you need.

You’ll also be surprised at how much easier the interview will be when you’ve thoroughly researched the company. You’ll be able to find different ways to explain yourself to questions that may be tough to other candidates who didn’t do their research.

3.) You aren’t following up
Just because you finished an interview doesn’t mean your work ends there to secure a job. If you’re one of the lucky few and have been offered the position at the end of the interview, great. If not, be sure to follow up.

Sending a hand-written note is always the #1 way to really show that you are interested. An e-mail comes in second, but is still a worthy contender. The bottom line is you want to be remembered. Some applicants are even sending small gifts as a way to get into the door. Check out this story about that here.