The 5 Things Stopping You From Getting Hired
Your job search has been a long and uphill road. It seems like just when you take a step through the door, it gets shut in your face after your interview. So why is it so hard for you to get hired?
There are 5 things you could be doing that are holding you back! The good news is that - with some quick changes - you could be on a road to getting hired in no time. Here’s what you should think about before hitting ‘submit’ again.
Number 1: You are doing the bare minimum.
Are you applying to jobs without following up?
Follow up on every single position you apply for, whether it is a message on LinkedIn or in the form of an email. Thank them for the opportunity to apply and share how excited you are for next steps. Don’t wait more than a week to do this! Shoot to follow up 48 hours after you apply. The best time to email someone is on a Tuesday or Thursday morning. So, try to get into their inbox before 10am!
Are you applying to just one job a week or to every single job you can find?
Research and only apply to jobs that are in your specific industry and that you have demonstrated experience working in. If you are doing a career pivot, this does not apply to you, and you will need the help of a career coach (like me!) to really get under the hood of this process. If that sounds like you, click here to get started working with me.
Think about what you are asking for. Does it make sense? For example, are your salary expectations too high? Are you underqualified? Then, figure out what it is you really want. We touched on this in a previous blog post but it may be time for you to ask yourself some serious questions about your personal goals first, so you can refocus your job search.
Or are you applying to two positions for the same company?
Try not to apply to more than one position within the same company. Scattering yourself with thinking you can fit two positions will show that you are not clear on what you want. Instead, talk to the hiring manager first and share where your skills and passions lie. Let them decide where they see you being the best fit for the business.
Number 2: You didn’t prepare for your interview.
You don’t look the part.
“Dress to impress” should be your motto. During your interview, a hiring manager is going to judge you based on your presentation because you are a potential representation of their brand. If you are coming to the interview with a stained white t-shirt and jeans, that’s going to speak volumes. This is especially true when you have a remote interview. Dressing up (from head to toe) not only showcases a good personal presentation, but also works wonders for your confidence, self-image, and how productive and focused you feel.
You don’t sound the part.
Skills can be taught but interest, enthusiasm, and passion can’t. Research the company so you know if your values match well before the interview. Those positions that make you feel all gooey and excited inside? Show it! Ask specific questions that are formed well ahead of the interview and speak to the company's current clients/programs/offers/services, so the hiring manager knows you are serious about the position.
You didn’t ask any questions.
The same attitude is needed when the hiring manager starts asking you questions. If you are fumbling when the interview starts, you need to practice your answers in advance. Click here to grab my free guide - The Top 10 Questions You Should Ask In An Interview - so you can do just that!
You spoke horribly about a negative experience you had with a past employer.
You are not the only one to have a bad experience with an ex-employer. But it’s super important to remember that the hiring manager doesn’t need to know just how bad it was, and your interview is not a therapy session. Using the Wrap Method, you can turn your negative experience into a positive one. Start off with a positive note, wrap the truth of the situation in the middle, and tie it up with another positive.
For example, start off by talking about how you achieved something at your former position. Then, you can say something like “But, after some time, I felt like the company culture and values were not in alignment with mine and I needed to make the right decision for myself and my career to move on.” End it with a positive note like, “However, I learned XYZ from this role and I am grateful to have had the opportunity.” The truth with a high-class spin!
Number 3: Your resume reads more boring than watching paint dry.
Your resume reads like a laundry list of job’s you’ve had.
If your resume looks like a laundry list of job’s you’ve worked in the past, you are doing nothing to position yourself as a great candidate for the position you are applying for. Think of job descriptions like a story, not a list. Yes, there is a format to follow in terms of dates and title headers, but what happens in the description should read like a success story, showcasing all that you’ve achieved. These should be tangible results like numbers, events, client facing experiences, etc…
There is nothing unique about your resume.
This is your chance to stand out from all of the rest of the candidates on paper. No one is going to campaign harder for you, than yourself. So when creating your resume, remember that this is just one stop on the Campaign of You!
Think of your resume as your business card - it’s how you are selling yourself without someone actually being able to see you. Your resume needs to clearly showcase your performance and accomplishments correctly. This is not a space to undervalue your talent or experience.
It’s 3 pages long and filled with typo’s and grammatical errors.
This is just pure laziness.
In my over 20 years as a recruiter, if there are multiple typos for basic words that would have taken two seconds to read through and edit, that shows me that you are not taking this seriously. Also, you are not Bill Gates. Limit your resume to one page. Oh, and ditch the cover letter unless specifically asked to include one. No one reads those!
It sounds like a robot wrote it.
You have a voice - use it! There are specific places you can include a story or voice to add some flare and uniqueness to your resume. One place to do this is in a bio summary at the top.
Here’s what you should include:
o Who you are and why you are reaching out.
o The role you are applying for and where you think you can come in and add value, based on your experience
o A reason why you want to work for the company or what you love about the brand
Plus, you’ll want to leave a final lasting impression (a call to action) right in your email or message. Ask for a specific time a hiring manager can get back to you. For example, "Are you available Tuesday at 9:30am to connect?"
Number 4: You’re not using your connections.
Who have you told that you are looking for a new job?
You should be able to rely on your friends for more than just happy hour. Plan a dinner date to meet up and catch up. Share that you are open for work and discuss your job search. If you aren’t telling anyone - especially your main circle - that you are looking, how will anyone know?
Who in your network can become a mentor? Or provide a great reference/recommendation?
Maybe you have a super successful friend that works in your same industry that can help pull some strings, or at least allow you to use them as a reference. Share your resume with them and have them review it! They can become like a mini-mentor for you and maybe be the hype person that helps you get some doors open.
Use social media to power your connections.
Your connections may already be employed by the very company you want to work with! Check LinkedIn and see what mutual followers you and your dream company have. I’m sure you’ll find someone from your college connected somehow! If you are open to it, set your profile photo on LinkedIn as “open to work” to catch more eyes!
If you are getting hit with a lot of DMs from recruiters, answer them! You never know, something may pan out. Plus, their agency or company that hired them is paying them - not you. So take a shot!
Number 5: Your social media presence is unprofessional or doesn’t exist.
You think no one will be looking at your Instagram account.
Hiring managers are looking at what you are posting and care about the image you are putting into the world. You are a potential representation of their company and their brand. Make sure you come across as one. The first thing anyone will do when they see your resume is Google you. Your LinkedIn and other social accounts should be aligned professionally.
You are posting inappropriate photos or videos on your accounts.
Be smart about what you post! Remember that bachelorette trip to Cabo that you posted on Instagram when you were not totally in a sober-state? Yeah, let’s go ahead and remove that. It’s okay to post your wedding toast on Insta. It’s not okay to post a Reel of you doing a keg stand topless. Think twice about what you are posting and use common sense. The past can really come back to bite you like the ghost of low-rise jeans!
Make your social accounts private or simply create new ones that don’t have your name or work email associated with them!
You don’t have any social accounts.
If you choose not to have social media accounts, that’s totally fine. BUT I would urge you to at least create a LinkedIn profile and to keep it updated. In my many years of experience, this is the one account that recruiters and hiring managers specifically look for. Be sure you are where they can find you so that it does not limit your chances of getting hired.
I am confident that making these 5 changes will help you get hired!
Be sure to tag me @allthingsmeghanhoule on Instagram and share what small changes you are making to your resume, social accounts, or job prep routine today!
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