Are You Struggling to Get an Interview?

In a down economy, its not uncommon for job seekers to submit dozens of resumes without getting a single response. Even when the economy is good, landing an interview can be next to impossible if your resume tanks with hiring managers. Organizations typically post job advertisements when they're actively hiring, so If you're struggling to land an interview, follow these tips to revamp your resume and make it more appealing to recruiters.

Customize Each Resume

Landing an interview might be difficult if your resume lists every job you've ever held. Recruiters are busy, and they generally don't want to waste time reading about job experiences and skills completely unrelated to the position. Hiring managers expect your resume to closely match the job description, so it's important to customize each resume you submit to ensure it highlights your education, skills and experiences as they relate to the job you're applying for. Elaborate on elements of your previous jobs that closely match the responsibilities listed in the job description to impress job recruiters and increase your chance of landing an interview.

Remove Evidence of Job Hopping

Many recruiters are wary of job seekers who have had many different employers throughout their career or multiple employers within a very short time period. Companies are generally unwilling to invest in candidates they think might not stick around, so remove any evidence of job hopping to increase the possibility of landing an interview. If you changed jobs frequently due to layoffs, acquisitions, temporary contracts or mergers, note this information somewhere on your resume. Another way to deal with this potential issue is to create a resume that only lists job experiences directly related to the position.

Show a Steady Career Progression

Recruiters tend to frown on candidates who have never progressed in their careers, as consistent career progression is a sign that you're an employee who shows initiative and takes your career seriously. Career progression also demonstrates your potential for growth within the organization to which you're applying. If you've been promoted one or more times by a previous employer, note this somewhere in your resume. If you've never been promoted, list the additional responsibilities you were given and the great accomplishments you achieved to demonstrate your growth in the position.

Eliminate Signs of Being Overqualified

It's common for candidates to list all of their educational experiences and accomplishments for every position to demonstrate their qualifications, but doing this might make some managers view you as overqualified. Sometimes, being too experienced makes managers think you simply want the position until something better comes along. To increase your chance of landing an interview, always make sure the experiences you list are closely related to the job you're seeking, as inflating your experiences and credentials can sometimes work against you.

It's important to make sure the person who reviews your resume instantly recognizes your value as a potential employee. When a job listing interests you, determine if you're a good fit for the position, and then craft a customized resume that showcases your skills and abilities. Landing an interview is no easy task, but you must do the necessary work to ensure your resume gets attention and impresses recruiters.

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