If you’re here, then you’re probably wondering (for the twentieth time), “Why didn’t I get the interview?” Whether you’re just getting started on your career path or are seeking a new opportunity, reaching the interview stage in the application process is an increasingly difficult task. It’s especially frustrating when you feel like you were the perfect fit for the position! So why didn’t you land the interview?
With almost two decades of recruiting experience, the experts at JWilliams Staffing put our heads together to outline the primary reasons we choose not to contact a job applicant. The result is a list of some possible reasons why you didn’t get the interview. We hope you can use this knowledge to land your next interview, so let’s get to it!
Have you been applying for every available job opening you can find without evaluating if the position is a good fit for you, or catering your resume (or cover letter) to those positions? Then you may not be getting any calls because you’re “shotgunning” your resume. Yes, that’s right. Employers and recruiters can tell when you’re just taking a generic resume and applying to multiple positions at once.
Our Maintenance Services Director, Juan Vasquez, shared, “One of the biggest pitfalls of shotgunning a resume is that the skills and accomplishments you list aren’t catered to the job to which you’re applying. Every position (including those with the same job title) will have different requirements. Evaluate those requirements, determine if you’re a good fit, and then ensure your resume highlights how you’re a strong match.” Applying with a generic resume might be easier, but it will often leave you without an interview.