Why Employers Are Ignoring You

It’s tough enough applying for jobs. You spend a lot of time (and sometimes money) putting together the perfect resume, customized to the job. You’ve got all the keywords in the right places. You’ve got a clever, fun but professional cover letter that is engaging and irresistible. Off it goes, even addressed to the hiring manager by name. You’ve done your homework and just know that you’ll get a call within the hour.

And then you wait, and wait. In the meantime, you’re applying for other jobs, but really want the first one you applied for. Time marches on, and you hear nothing. Don’t feel like you’re singled out. According to FlexJobs, 25 percent of applicants never hear back from prospective employers. It’s not only frustrating; it puts a hold on your job search. If you try to hold out for a specific job, you can lose out on other opportunities.

There are many reasons why employers don’t respond. And it’s not all their fault. Yes, there are some employers who have no respect for candidates that they just don’t ever send any kind of acknowledgement or “no-thank-you email” after a position is filled. It’s inexcusable and a poor representation of the company and their attitude toward their employees.

A candidate won’t always get an interview just because they send in a resume. With a tight job market, an employer can get 50 or 100 or more resumes for one job opening. Some people are so desperate that they apply for just about every job that comes open, whether they are qualified or not. You may think you’re the perfect candidate, but if you don’t even meet the minimum requirements, don’t expect a response. Read the job description and posting to be sure you really are qualified for the job.

Unfortunately, some employers run job postings just to get a stockpile of resumes. Or, they feel they have to post a job, but they already have an internal candidate identified for the job. It may seem deceptive, but these employers don’t intend to hire from outside, so they don’t bother responding to anyone.

With so many responses to each job, employers can afford to be picky. If there are any errors—misspelled words, poor grammar, generalities instead of specifics, or resumes that don’t fit a job—you can be sure you won’t get a response. Candidates should take the time to make sure whatever they send a prospective employer is perfect. You don’t get a redo if you fail on the first impression. Why should they give you a second chance when so many others took the time to make sure they were perfect?

Sometimes jobs change before they are filled. If you applied for a digital communications manager and the job changed to a social media strategist, your resume and cover letter may no longer apply. It happens, and don’t expect an employer to send you a note with a heads-up. Keep up with your applications and the employer’s websites to track job postings. If you created an account when you applied, check back with the company periodically for the status of the posting. The only notification you may get is by checking the company website to see if the job has been filled.

You may think you’re perfect for the job, but don’t be too upset if you don’t hear back. If you see the job has been filled, call the prospective employer and ask for some feedback. Most won’t tell you anything, fearful of legal repercussions, but you may find someone who will tell you your cover letter had spelling errors or was addressed to the wrong company. And, stop waiting for a response. Call and ask where you are in the process.  It’s a lot better than waiting around for the phone to ring.

Freedigitalphotos.net: Michal Marcol