Why Am I Not Getting Interviews?

If you're looking for work, you know that just getting your foot in the door to land that elusive job interview can be a challenge. In order to stand out from the rest of the herd, you need to put your best face forward. Here are some common reasons why you may not be getting that call.

1. Your Cover Letter Needs Work

If your cover letter doesn't really make you shine, you may be better off not including one at all. At the same time, if you're not including a cover letter, you're not going to get called first for the job interview process. Spend some time writing cover letters specifically for each individual company and position. Make sure there are no errors, and try to really sell yourself, not just your hard skills, as that's what resumes are for.

2. You're at the End of the Line

Remember that there are many other people out there seeking employment. If the job listing has been up for some time, there's a good chance a multitude of applicants already applied. Monitor job listings every day so you're not too late. Sometimes, someone else is going to get the job interview before you, and there's no way around it.

3. Grammar and/or Spelling Mistakes

If you improve your resume, even slightly, you may be surprised when job interview calls start pouring in. It only takes one error to send your resume to the waste bin. Reread your resume, and make sure there are no errors. If you're not positive that your resume is 100 percent solid, ask a friend or colleague to take a look at it for you.

4. You're Not Qualified

There's nothing wrong with shooting for the stars when looking for work, but if you're not qualified for the position, you may be wasting everyone's time. If the job listing doesn't clearly state what is expected of applicants, give the company a call or shoot them an email.

5. You Didn't Fit the Company's Culture

Hiring managers seek employees who are going to assimilate into the company's culture. It's your job to make them understand why you would be a solid match. Look for positions at companies that match your lifestyle. A good rule of thumb is that you should want to work there even if you weren't getting paid. Of course, that's not always realistic, but try to get as close as possible.

6. You Weren't Persistent

If you want to get called in for a job interview, sometimes it's not enough to send in your resume and cover letter and then sit back and hope for the best. Follow up with a phone call or an email. The easiest way to get a job interview is often simply to ask for one.

It may take some time and effort, but stay persistent, and look at every rejection as a learning opportunity. Keep working on improving your resume and cover letter. Try to think of new ways to separate yourself from the rest of the applicants, such as sending a video or dropping off your resume in person. Eventually you're going to get that job interview; just keep at it.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Mrzywka at Flickr.com