Have you been sending lots of resumés and getting no interview calls? Or have you been going to interviews and still haven’t gotten your desired job? If you responded positively to any of these questions then maybe something is up.
There are several reasons why a recruiting manager can reject a candidate and some of them don’t depend on you: maybe they finally covered the position with a current employee, another candidate had better references or simply a little bit more experience with a specific skills. The point is, it’s not always your fault that you’re not getting hired but… maybe there are some things you could be doing better.
I put together a list of 10 possible mistakes that could be sabotaging your hiring possibilities and some advice on how to fix them! Here they are!
1. Your resumé was not clear or it didn’t fit the company requirements
Your resumé should be clear, it should scream “I’m the perfect match” without beating around the bushes.
How to fix it: Create a custom resumé for every specific position. Recruiters won’t lose time reading an extra long resumé detailing every skill you have and every single thing you’ve done that doesn’t apply to what they’re looking for. Focus on what the company is looking for and your experience related to that field. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have a clean and nicely design resumé, here are some templates you could use.
2. Your resumé or cover letter has typos or spelling errors
Your cover letter is your presentation card. If it’s full with mistakes and spelling errors, it’s possible it will be tossed out!
How to fix it: Double check everything; if you are not sure about your writing skills, tell someone else to copy-prove it. Also, use spell check!
3. Your contacts are not the best ones
One of the easiest ways to get a job is through your contacts. If you don’t have any contacts, you are in clearly disadvantage with other professionals applying to the same job.
How to fix it: Use social media to do some networking, specially LinkedIn. Begin with your friends and relatives, one of them may have a friend that knows someone that works on your field…
4. You didn’t prepare for the interview
Even if you have already gone through many job interviews, going to a new one without preparing for will most probably lead you to fail.
How to fix it: Do some previous research: how is that company?, is it big or small?, what do they do?, who are their clients?, etc. Take a look at their website and their social networks, and you can even follow them In LInkedIn or Twitter. Once in the interview, your research will make the conversation easier and more fluid. Besides that, the recruiter will notice that you investigated and he will take it like a sign that you are really interested in the job.
5. You arrived late to the interview
The recruiting manager won’t wait for you and even if he does, he will hardly hire someone that can’t arrive on time to an interview. And no, traffic is never an excuse.
How to fix it: Estimate in advance how long it will take you to arrive and make sure to give yourself enough extra time to avoid any unforeseen factor that can delay you. Google Maps can be your savior here!
6. You said something inappropriate during the interview
One of the most common mistakes candidates make during a job interview is to tell the recruiting manager some unwanted or unnecessary information. An interview is not the place to talk about how your current boss is a jerk or your colleagues suck. Also, if the conversation goes to sensible topics such as politics or religion, an inappropriate comment can kill your possibilities.
How to fix it: If you are asked about your current job (which will probably happen), answer honestly but being respectful and moderating your comments –to say someone is a jerk, just makes you seem like one.
7. You didn’t show much enthusiasm about the job
Lack of enthusiasm about the position is forbidden –nobody will hire some that doesn’t seem to really like the job and shows little interest on getting the position.
How to fix it: Show interest about the company and the position, listen with attention to everything the manager has to say and ask questions. You don’t need to say that’s the job of your dreams, but be sure the recruiter knows and senses that you really want to work with them..
8. You didn’t show self-confidence
If you don’t trust yourself, it’s not a surprise that others won’t trust in you.
How to fix it: Even if you have an introverted character, you must let it be clear that you are good at what you do. Talk about your experiences and achievements and explain how do you think you can help the company. It’s always good to think about your achievements and skills before going to the interview, so you know more or less what you want to highlight.
9. You look more interested in what you want than in what you have to offer
When a company is looking for new employees, they want people that will get involved in their business –focusing on what you’ll get from the job is not a valuable attitude.
How to fix it: Of course you are interested in the salary and other work conditions, but let the recruiting manager be the first to talk about it. Instead, focus the conversation on the position itself and on the company needs.
10. Your online reputation is not in check
Are you trying to look professional but have drunken photos or inappropriate content on your social networks? That’s not going to work.
How to fix it: It’s pretty simple, if you don’t want anyone to see something, then don’t put it online! Now, many of us fail at this sometimes and there are other options. Try and remove any content that could make you look bad from your social networks, always think that what you’re posting could be seen by anyone (including job recruiters) regardless of the privacy settings and be mindful of what your online persona is portraying.