So, your resume was strong enough to get the interview, a few of them in fact, but for some reason it’s not leading to a job offer. Below are a list of 10 reasons that just may pertain to you…
1. You Can’t Speak to Certain Strengths or Accomplishments
I mean the ones on your resume that you so eloquently listed. If you state that you know a particular software and the interviewer asks which version, you better be able to say which one, when and how you used it too if asked. If you say you generated x amount of revenue during a certain year, be able to speak to that (prove it) as well. What about that project you led that made everyone’s life easier? You’ll need to be able to tell how well you managed it. If you stumble it only looks like you fluffed the resume up just to get the interview.
2. You Sound Just a Little Too Overzealous
If you know you don’t want to work past 50 hours in a week, can’t do weekends, holidays or leap tall buildings in a single bound don’t say you can! If you are passionate about non-profit work, public health, or just eager to land one of those six-figure contracting jobs overseas, but you know good and well you wouldn’t survive in adverse or hazardous conditions don’t commit to traveling to war zone environments! It’s okay to show you’re a team player or a great leader, but hiring managers know when you’re faking. Saying yes to everything is not such a good idea. Besides, even if you are the sucker who said you’ll do any and everything you will be expected to do so. The first time you don’t you’ll be fired.
3. You Don’t Fit in With the Company Culture
Individual or group contributor? Will you grow with the company or outgrow them? That’s what a lot hiring managers want to know. Can you deal with a company that offers no advancement? What if they do, however you’re on your own as for training and development? If during the interview these things were discussed how did you respond? Did you show your beliefs to be in alignment with the company’s core values and objectives? Were you asked to provide examples of this with a previous company, or state how your beliefs align with their vision? When I worked in Corporate America, one thing I didn’t like was everyone was held to a group metric system. Regardless of whether we had under-performers who dragged us down in any given month, it made everyone’s score go down which in turn affected individual bonuses.
Another thing that happened is when our department was bought out, our tuition reimbursement became non-existent with the new company. Micromanagement started big time too. We were told we could interview with the new company that acquired us to keep our jobs. I declined because I simply did not fit in with the new company culture. I was pretty sure they would be able to tell.
Those are just some examples, but basically, an interviewer will ask questions regarding how you deal with uncertainty or new challenges. If you give canned responses or those that don’t seem sincere, then they’ll get the idea that you don’t fit in with the culture. Have you been given a personality test? That tells them if you’re a cultural fit as well.
4. It’s All About YOU when it should be all about THEM.
Sure, the interviewer may have asked you to tell them about yourself, why you want the position and what makes you the best candidate, but after you give some key attributes, be sure to explain how you’ll solve their problem, grow their territory, increase revenue, or save money in multiple areas. Maybe you don’t have all the answers, but once you’ve researched and you’re told what the position entails, be sure to tell them how you’ll succeed in helping the company based on why they said they’re hiring in the first place.
5. You Talk Too Much
I see clients and even our own job candidates who do this all of the time. I ask them to give me 3 good reasons why I, or someone should hire them and they give me 10. Or, they don’t answer the question. I ask them where they’ve been and they tell me where they’re going (something my mother used to say). It’s easy to go over, and many times you may just be a bit nervous, but stick to the question! When you go overboard you tend to bore the interviewer, or make them think you can’t follow instructions.
Another note on talking too much:
I coach people all the time on how to handle the truth. For example, you took a sabbatical due to illness, divorce, or what have you. Whether you’re a heart transplant survivor, missed a lot of work in your previous job due to standing therapy appointments, or whatever the case may be DO NOT mention or discuss these things unless for some strange reason (or a federal government background check) the interviewer just happened to have gained this knowledge before hand. Remember if they don’t ask, then you don’t tell.
6. You Were Late
That can seal the deal right there before you even walk through the door, log on to Zoom, Webex or simply dial the phone number! And if you didn’t call or send an email to say you’d be late that’s an even bigger turnoff. Since being late can say a lot about a candidate and how they will perform in the future, there’s really nothing more to say about this except to A. Remember to do a drive-by the day before. If it’s through video check your connection the night before and a phone call, test that too to make sure you have the right number. B. If you don’t do any of the above the day before prepare extra early on the day of the interview to allow for hang-ups or Wi-Fi connection issues. It’s better to be 30 minutes or so early than to be late.
7. You Mentioned Too Many Past Jobs
I mean the ones not listed on your resume. I remember one particular candidate I interviewed once. I asked her to give me examples of when she had to resolve a customer service issue. I asked for another example of assisting with marketing. Because her current and previous jobs listed on her resume did not reflect the experience, she went on and on about three other jobs that did, that she worked recently. Mind you, she already had four different companies listed on her resume within a 10-year period. All I could think of is this lady has worked a lot of jobs! Despite the fact that people aren’t staying on jobs as long these days, job-hopping can still hinder your chances of getting the next job.
8. Your Social Media Presence is Unfavorable
As you know (or may not know) these days one of the first things hiring managers do is check online to see if you have a LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media page. Applying for an elementary school teacher position, yet you have stripper looking photos all over your profile? What about a Financial or Investment Consultant position and you have biker photos that show wild partying? Staunch Republican or Democrat? Political debates should be kept to a minimum. Sure what you do in your spare time is your own business, but there are a lot of things that can send the wrong message. Even so much as posting the wrong kind of headshot (one taken at an amusement park) on LinkedIn can hurt. Simply because it’s not professional.
9. You Didn’t Send a Thank You Letter
Or even just a note of thanks to the interviewer for taking time out of their busy day to speak with you. I don’t care how many interviews you go on or how modern times get, simply saying thanks speaks volumes! It shows you’re serious about the company and enthusiastic about the position. Cards are really nice, but even a simple email note will suffice.
10. You Lack Confidence
You’re probably tired of going on interviews with no success. Were you sure you nailed the last one, but still no offer and now you feel like you’ve lost your magic? Interviewers can detect the lack of confidence. You don’t want to be arrogant, but you do want to show that you’re qualified for the job and will deliver results. Sit up straight (posture says a lot), remember to research the company and the position, and definitely practice the night before. Did you know you can view all kinds of interview questions for numerous companies online? Check out Glassdoor. Focus on the positives and don’t go into an interview thinking you can do the job. Go in there knowing you can do it!
Hopefully, these reasons and tips have helped you if you’re not landing job offers, or the ones you want. And as always… Good luck with your job search! Need more help? Visit us at https://blueprintresumes.com #interviewsbutnojob #howtogetajob #interviewtips