Newstricky| As of April 2022, unemployment in the US is at a low of 3.6%. However, this is only one reason why you might want to find a new job. You may want better benefits, a fresh start in a new career, or more challenges in your current path.
then the job search can’t be going very well. And the problem is, there’s a whole host of reasons why getting a job might be proving difficult.
Don’t worry! Once you identify the problem, then you can fix it and watch the offers roll in. Read this guide to the most common issues and learn how to get hired.
Table of Contents
Your Resume Isn’t up to Scratch
If it’s anything less than perfect then you run the risk of not getting a job interview. Yes, even if you have all the required skills, qualifications, and experience.
Here are some common problems with resumes:
- Spelling and grammatical mistakes
- Confusing, hard-to-read layout
- Too much unnecessary information
- Not enough necessary information
- No contact details
But you don’t need to be an expert copywriter to land a job. You can hire resume writing services to edit and polish your application.
You’re Not Selling Yourself in Interviews
It’s frustrating to spend days preparing for an interview to not get the job. And it’s even more frustrating to think, “why am I not getting hired?”
But you might be making fatal errors without realizing it. Here are some common problems many candidates make in interviews:
- Don’t display knowledge of the company
- Don’t ask any questions
- Appear entitled, uninterested, bored, or unlikable
- Seem flustered and too anxious
One of the best career tips anyone can give you is to prepare, prepare, prepare. Think about the questions you will ask in advance and practice with a buddy. This will help you appear professional, calm, and likable.
You Don’t Have Enough Connections
Everyone knows that it’s not about what you know, it’s who you know. If you’re struggling to get your foot in the door, you need to know more connected people. Volunteer for relevant charities, attend networking events, and ask friends of friends for introductions.
You probably already know that you should network when you are looking for a job. Some of the things involved in networking may be obvious. For example, if you know someone at a company you’d like to work for, try to apply with a reference, or at least use any additional information you’ve gleaned from their conversations in your application.
What is less obvious is that you should spread your search as widely as possible, even to people who have no obvious way to help you. Please talk about your job search at non-job-related events or make a post about it on a private, non-LinkedIn LinkedIn social media account. You probably don’t know everyone someone else knows. First-degree networking, i.e., help from your direct acquaintances, is all well and good, but second-degree networking can also be very powerful. A career coach colleague once saw a student complaining loudly about her job search in class and discovered that the classmate next door had a close relative who could help her. Networking!
You’re Over or Underqualified
Being too underqualified for a role is, of course, a big issue. But many managers won’t hire candidates that are too overqualified either. They run the risk of hiring people who feel certain work is beneath them or don’t have any ambition to progress.
But a good piece of career advice is to keep in mind that job descriptions are open to interpretation. And often, human resources are responsible for writing job applications, not the hiring manager.
Do you think an employer will want to see a CV and a cover letter that have nothing to do with the job for which you are applying? Of course not, let alone call you in for an interview.
Instead of spending time applying for a job for which you are underqualified, you should spend that time looking for the jobs for which you are most qualified and applying for them.
If you keep applying for jobs for which you are not qualified, you may end up not being hired.
If you feel you have no qualifications and are therefore applying for jobs for which you are not qualified, you could consider taking an online refresher course.
So, if you’re around 75% qualified for the role, then it’s worth applying. You could have skills that the hiring manager values but HR forgot to include in the description.
Why Am I Not Getting Hired? Now You Know!
These are the most likely reasons why you’re asking “why am I not getting hired?” Now, you’ll be able to fix your issues and start being more successful on the job market.
You spend the best part of 40 years in a career, so it’s vital you pick the right one for you. Browse our website for lots of career advice and resources!
