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Why Isn't My Phone Ringing?
(Hidden Reasons You're Not Getting Hired)

by Greg Faherty
 

One of the most difficult aspects of a job search is waiting for companies to arrange interviews with you. You send out your resumes, and then wait for the phone to ring, or an e-mail to show up. And you wait. And wait.

And you wonder why. Is there something wrong with my resume? Am I lacking the experience the companies want? Did I make a mistake somewhere?

If you've made sure your resume is properly formatted and free of typos, then the lack of calls could be because of one of the following reasons.

1. Your cover letter. Have you used the word "I" too much in the letter? Have you put the focus more on what you want than how you can help the company? If so, hiring managers might be passing you by.

2. Reaching too high. Know your limitations. Are you setting your job search criteria appropriately? Everyone would like their next job to be better than the last one. But if you're applying for jobs you're clearly underqualified for, your chances of getting an interview are not going to be great.

3. Proving your worth. Does your resume demonstrate the value you would bring to a company, or is it just filled with general job descriptions? The best way to get someone's attention is to show them you have a history of contributing to previous employers' success.

4. Managing your job search. So you found a few jobs that look great, and you sent out your resume. Don't just sit back and wait to hear from those companies. Keep looking! The more resumes you send out, the more interviews you're going to get.

5. Your search technique. Don't rely on just one job search technique or strategy. Try all of them. Get as many applications and resumes out there as you can, in as many ways as you can.

Remember, a job search is like any other endeavor. You get out of it what you put into it. It takes hard work to find a new job, and careful planning. So if you're not getting the results you expected, it might be time to take a step back, review what you've done, and then make some improvements.


Tips: After the Interview
Getting an interview doesn't mean you've automatically got the job. Remember these helpful tips: 

  • Be prepared.Don't go into an interview without rehearsing your answers to the common interview questions. Not only will you sound more professional, you'll be more relaxed as well.
  • Know the company. Unless it's a last-minute interview, take some time to research the company and learn about what they do. Then be ready to discuss how your particular skills and experience will be of value to them.
  • Don't repeat mistakes. After each interview, review what you said and did, and see if there are any places for improvement at the next interview.