Applying for jobs can be extremely frustrating. You fill out the extensive form, attach a resume, hit submit… and then what? Wait, pray, apply again? Here are some reasons to answer the question “Why hasn’t anyone called me?”
1. Too many people applied for the same job posting.
Lots of people apply for every job posting out there. Sometimes there just are not enough hours in the day to review and call every applicant. Resumes can easily fall into the “black hole” and never be reviewed. One of our recently-posted jobs received 213 applicants. The position moved fast, and we did not get to call every applicant. On the bright side, the next time there is a similar opening, we now have your resume on file and are looking out for you.
2. Your resume sucks.
Sorry, but if your resume is not well-organized, contains misspellings, or is just too vague, the person reviewing your application may quickly pass. Other red flags are major gaps in employment, job hopping, or strange pieces of personal information. The job market is tight right now, and employers are looking for the best candidate. Finding the company that fits you best will be key.
For more advice on resume writing check out our blogger Galen’s advice.
3. The job is no longer open.
Jobs close or stop accepting new applicants, but postings often stay up on Career pages for much longer. Other times, company policy dictates that every job is posted, but there is an internal promotion or inside candidate already taking an offer while you are just hitting submit.
My advice: Check when the job was posted. If it was 3 months ago, it might not be worth applying anymore. Subscribe to saved searches or watch your target job postings closely so you can beat the rush.
4. It just might not be the right fit.
Look closely at the job description and title. Does it align well with your background and current position? Recruiters, HR representatives, and hiring managers don’t look at every resume for very long, so if you don’t quickly jump of the page and make them think, “This could be the one!”, you may not be getting the call.
5. You live too far away.
Location is an important factor. One client recently lost a long-term employee because the commute finally became too much for him. They were worried that applicants who lived too far away may feel the same. Other times, we get applications from candidates all over the world. If you aren’t seriously planning to move and could not get to an interview within a few days, it probably isn’t the right job to apply for.
So what’s the best way to get a call from your application?
Talk with your recruiter and learn the best path to the job you want. We can be your best advocate during your search. We will work with you to optimize your resume and discuss how closely it fits. From inside information on company culture to the reason for the opening and the salary, we are here to help you. Developing a relationship with a recruiter over time will ensure that we think of you before we even post the job. A recent job we posted attracted 60 applicants, but the candidate who got the job had been talking to me since September and was the first call I made when the job came out.
As the saying goes, “It’s who you know, not what you know,” and in the job search, leverage who you know. Use LinkedIn and Networking groups. Meeting people in the company you want to work for is often the fastest way in the front door.
Lastly, don’t get frustrated. If you are applying to the right jobs and have the right strategy, you will find that dream job!
