[A MUST READ] Common Reasons Why Most Job Seekers Never Get Invited For Interviews

6 years ago

[A MUST READ] Common Reasons Why Most Job Seekers Never Get Invited For Interviews

Many job seekers set out with high hopes and expectations with the thought that their job search efforts will be measured by the number of resume’s they distribute, but most end up in frustration when all their hopes, expectations and energy fades out after months of futile search activity without even landing an interview. Unfortunately, the job market is like the streets.

With fewer jobs available these days, and lots of people hustling for them, the competition becomes stiff and chances become slimmer.

For the large army on the street, survival means luck, doggedness, resilience and patience except strategy.

Recently, we have had to review countless CV’s and applications for graduate trainee, executive and mid-management positions, and just well over 15% of those applications make the cut to the hiring organizations HR department for further review.

One of the things I find worrisome is whether job seekers know the fierce challenge they are up against and why most don’t put their strong foot forward to properly market themselves.

Briefly, I will share some of the top reasons why your job application might end up in the trash can rather than the HR manager’s desk.

1. Cover Letter

I really don’t understand why anyone will want to apply for a job opening without an accompanying cover letter. Except it is clearly stated not to, including a cover letter with your application is always a good and smart decision. In fact, most recruiters expect you to include one with your application.

You are missing out on a golden opportunity to market yourself in your own narrative to potential employers and further convince them as to why your skills and experience is a match to what they seek. It is an avenue to sell to hring managers the idea of why hiring you, instead of the other candidates, is a good decision.

Remember though that as potent as the cover letter is, when not tailored specifically for the opening you are applying for, it will most likely get you knocked back. Having a generic cover letter implies that you haven’t read the job specification or you don’t understand it at all.

When writing cover letters for your application, try to make it creative, persuasive, relevant and brief, showing how you match the role requirements.

If you are applying by email, make it the body of the email, and attach your CV as a Word document.

2. Bad Grammar, Poor Formatting

You go through some resumes and begin to wonder how the applicant managed to wiggle his/her way through school. Bad grammar, spelling and poor formatting is the reason 60% of recruiters review a CV in negative light.

Honestly, a large percentage of graduates and undergraduates are very poor in both written and oral communication. If you are applying for a position that puts you in between customers, clients or associates and management, you are likely not to get an invite for an interview with a resume that is poorly formatted or with grammatical blunders because most reviewers adopt a zero-tolerance approach to selecting outstanding candidates from the stiff competition.

3. Qualified but no experience

One common trend recruiters are noticing is the situation where candidates are overqualified for entry level positions, but lack adequate experience for executive and mid-management positions.

This is mostly common among young candidates who possess postgraduate degrees (MSC, MA, MBA), without any work experience (except research and field work).

Young graduates need to understand that a post graduate degree is not a substitute for experience, and can put them in a fix. Overall, a degree with adequate work experience is better than a postgraduate degree without work experience and to gain experience, you need some form of employment.

With the current realities, most companies and businesses are reluctant hiring candidates without experience because they understand that while academic qualification is important, striking a balance between credentials and real world experience and skills is more important.

This save them the cost of training new inexperienced hires, and help them achieve more with less.

If you are a young graduate, consider biting the bullet and get into the street and look for opportunities, even if it means on a temporary or volunteer basis for a period before taking the option of advancing your studies.

You will be doing yourself a great deal of good on the long run unless you have an unconditional job offer waiting for you when you are out of graduate school.

4. Dummy Templates, Copy and Paste CV’s

Lately, I got to understand that it is a common practice among job seekers to walk into business centers and Cafes and request that a CV be made for them off other samples or templates they have.

Well, as fast as that is, it only fast tracks your application into the trash bin. We know there are dummy templates all over the internet you can use as a guide to crafting yours, but we know when you copy and paste them with little or no editing. These type of CV’s rarely stand any chance because they lack creativity and ingenuity.

How do you even consider a person who can’t articulate his/her own career goals/objectives, skills and work experience for an interview when there are other outstanding applications?

5. Orphan CVs/Resume (Lack of relevance)

These are CVs and resumes without any relationship in terms of skills and experience to the position advertised. recruiters, employers and HR professionals screening CVs first look at your most recent work experience and job title.

These must be relevant for the CV to get a second look. They need to see that your background matches the role.
For example, when you come across an application from a Chemical Engineer applying for the position of a customer care representative in a telecoms company, you can tell that he/she is bombing applications either out of desperation or frustration. Because it is strange, the most logical and thing to do is to trash it.

One way to ensure that you’re giving your CV relevance and the best possible chance is to search job descriptions for key criteria, then make sure you include relevant details on your CV that show you’re a good match.

Also, ensure that you are using the appropriate terminology for job title, skills, responsibilities and achievements. If the job description is short on keywords. If you are short of ideas, research on similar roles to get an idea of what is commonly required.

There is a phsycological side to Job search that can drain and frustrate you if not managed properly. It is better to be proactive and dogged and strategic about your jobsearch than being reactive.