Not Getting Called Back For an Interview? 13 Reasons Why!

We all know how frustrating it is when you send out a multitude of CVs and get no responses or call backs… You cannot help but think to yourself “what am I doing wrong?”  Well here are 13 reasons why recruiters are not calling you in for an interview!

1.     You’re embellishing too much on job boards and websites.

There is no point in making your LinkedIn profile stand out as it’s practically impossible to do so!  There are so many people on the platform that your resume will be outshined.

It’s not personal, it’s simply the fact that employers view your Job board when they have your CV application in hand, therefore spend your time making your CV and covering letter shine rather than your LinkedIn profile!

2.     Your resume lists only responsibilities rather than accomplishments.

A very common mistake made in a resume is listing responsibilities such as ‘responsible for …’ rather than ‘I led a team of 5 people on a business project’.

Employers want to see what you have accomplished in your previous roles; this gives them an idea of what you are capable of.  Employers want to see what you have accomplished on your own initiative.

3.     You’re sending applications quickly without making each one applicable to the role.

You would think that if you send out as many applications as you can that there is a higher chance of getting interviews; well this is where quantity trumps quality.

If you do not tailor make each application relevant to the role then most of your applications will be tossed.  Nobody admires generic applications and in the eyes of recruiters this may be seen as lack of interest or attention to detail.

The best way to get shortlisted is to take the time to really make the application stand out providing relevance to the role such as listing skills and attributes that will be a great fit for the role.

4.     You’re applying for positions that you aren’t particularly qualified for

We all know that you don’t need to have all of the qualifications listed on a vacancy, but what is the point of applying for a role for which you only possess 10% of the requirements?  This might be a major reason why you’re not being shortlisted.

Make sure you have at least 75% of the requirements that the role has listed before applying as anything less might be a waste of time.

5.     A resume that looks more like an autobiography than a resume

You know who you are, you list all of your accomplishments whilst going into too much detail on how you achieved these goals, and you list information that is frankly irrelevant to the employer.  Well, we’ve got five words, KEEP IT SHORT and SWEET.

Employers do appreciate a well detailed resume but there is no need to go into so much detail, try to keep your resume short with bullet points and utilise spacing to make sure the resume is eye catching and attractive.

6.     You aren’t applying for enough jobs.

I know we’ve just said that quality is better than quantity but that doesn’t mean you spend one hour going over one application to then apply only to perhaps two jobs a week.

To get some traction; ensure you send out at least seven applications a week.  All of them should be tailor-made for each role to maximise your chances of being shortlisted.

7.     A large recent gap in your employment history

Having a large recent gap in your employment is not ideal on your resume.  Make sure to beef this up with either freelance work whilst you’re job hunting or include a covering letter to explain why you were unable to fill that gap such as; having kids, sabbatical leave to study or travel etc.. This helps recruiters understand why there’s a gap and consider you further.

8.     “Objective” Just stop! No one uses it any more

Times change, companies change and in turn, we must adapt to the change.  Way back when everyone used to list their ‘Objective’, you know saying things like “I believe I will achieve new goals and skills with the company etc…” this is old-fashioned.

Nowadays recruiters know what your objective is and ultimately that is to obtain the position, so why bother?! How about writing a great Career Summary highlighting some of your biggest accomplishments and qualifications gained within the company?  This gives definitive proof that you will succeed in your next job!

9.     The placement of your work experience should be highlighted not buried

When you’re shopping for a great book what do you do?  You read the synopsis which is a basic overview of what the book entails before you consider buying the book.  The same goes for your employer when they are reviewing your application!

Make sure that your work experience is listed just under your details; it should be well detailed and listed with the correct dates and responsibilities.

10. You didn’t follow simple directions

This is an easy one; if a job post states that you need to list your documents in a certain way to include relevant certificates or quote a certain job number in the subject field of the application email, then you need to do this.

Employers will toss your application even at the application stage if you didn’t follow a simple instruction; it indicates a lack of patience for reading, no attention to detail and unprofessionalism.

11. Mistakes

More than ever; mistakes are unacceptable.  In this day and age to send out an email or application with grammatical and/or spelling mistakes is an instant no for employers.

Why?  We have spell checks and grammar checks nowadays where you simply press a button and the work is done for you.  Ok but let’s say you don’t have this function, just re-read your application to make sure that you didn’t miss anything and that what you wrote makes sense. 

12. Social media presence

You know that great party you went to and you barely remember a thing and everyone took pictures of you looking like an absolute disaster?  If you can see it on social media then so can your potential employers.

We know we all like to have fun, but you need to make sure that your private life remains private and that you don’t have any compromising pictures up that may hurt your chances of getting shortlisted.

Employers do check any and all social media to make sure that the person they are calling in would be a good fit, so always ask yourself if your photos look presentable and delete any that may indicate you’re not.

13. Experience

Having the relevant experience is very important if the roles you are applying for require previous experience and you don’t have any.  There is a higher chance of not getting shortlisted for an interview.  Some roles require vast experience and qualifications.  They are attainable but you would need to start off in a smaller role to work your way up to the desired role, you know to climb up the ladder!

Well there you go! 13 reasons why you aren’t getting called in for an interview, we hope you have found these helpful but if you’re still confused and don’t know where to begin we can help! We at snaprecruitment can help you find your way into getting a job that truly fits you, plus you’ve got us to guide you and support you along the way. So what are you waiting for?  Apply now at applications@snaprecruitment.com.mt