Job searches are cumbersome undertakings, and it usually takes time to get results. But if you’re consistently applying to open positions over the course of weeks or months and you’re not getting selected, you may wonder if something’s preventing you from getting hired.
Ultimately, each employer may have a unique reason why it’s not moving forward with you as a candidate. However, specific issues can lead to broad problems, so they’re worth addressing. Here are a few reasons why you may not get hired.
Outdated or Untargeted Resume
In many cases, the first impression you make on a hiring manager is through your resume. If the content is outdated, that will give any hiring manager pause. For example, an overly lengthy resume isn’t the norm today. Similarly, having an objective statement or discussing your duties instead of your achievements is antiquated by today’s standards.
Another resume issue is using a generic one instead of targeting the content to the role. When you use the same document for every open position, you’re not showing why you’re an excellent candidate for that particular job. As a result, the hiring manager may not view you as the strongest match, even if you have the right capabilities.
Lack of Demonstrated Experience
Generally, hiring managers favor candidates with relevant experience that relates to the role they’re trying to fill. If your resume doesn’t demonstrate that you have the experience they’re after, then you don’t have strong odds of moving forward in the process.
In most cases, demonstrated experience means more than simply stating that you’ve done similar work. If there aren’t achievements on your resume that showcase you participating successfully in those activities, then the hiring manager may have doubts about whether you’re genuinely a fit for the role.
Similarly, having work history entries that don’t align with your current field may cause the hiring manager to doubt whether you have the right experience. If a role isn’t directly connected to the career path you’re pursuing, the only way to overcome that is to showcase relevant achievements that highlight transferable skills. If that’s not part of your resume, then you may seem like a poor fit.
Missing Must-Have Skills
While most hiring managers may be willing to train a candidate that has the vast majority of what they’re after, missing most of the must-have skills included in the job description likely won’t work in your favor. Hiring managers prefer candidates that bring most – if not all – of what they’re after to the table. Generally, if you can’t demonstrate that you have at least 70 percent of what they want, the odds they’ll view you as a contender are slim.
However, this doesn’t necessarily apply to nice-to-have or preferred skills lists in job descriptions. While possessing those can work in your favor, not having the majority of them typically won’t hurt your chances, so keep that in mind.
Ultimately, finding a job isn’t always easy. If you’re having trouble getting hired, working with a recruiter helps. You’ll get direct guidance and support from a professional, ensuring you can find a right-fit job quickly and efficiently. If you’re ready to succeed in your job search, TempStaff can help. Contact us today.
