Five reasons you are not getting interviews - or a new job

One Twin Cities recruiter had more than 200 people apply for an administrative assistant position. An IT recruiter had over 300 resumes for a network analyst position. More than 700 people applied for a janitorial position at an Ohio school. Sense the trend?

1. You need a new resume: Writing a resume is easy, writing a good resume isn’t. Common resume mistakes include:
   
   • Using a one-size-fits-all approach instead of tailoring your resume for each position you are applying to.
   • Focusing on job duties, not results. Use numbers, accomplishments, and successes to produce a results-oriented resume, instead of simply listing job duties.
   • Feeling like you have to include every single job and accomplishment in your career, as well as hobbies, outside interests and other information unrelated to the job you are applying for. Stay focused and keep it tight and to the point.
   • Focusing your objective/summary on what you want and your career goals, not how you can help the company.
   • Spelling/grammar errors
   • If you have a current resume and want a quote on updating your resume email Matt Krumrie at mattkrum@yahoo.com. Note: The free resume review promotion is no longer valid as of 8/15/09 due to overwhelming demand.
   • Network, Network, Network: Tired of hearing that? Did you know that one recruiter told me she only hires referrals? It’s not as much about what you know, but who you know. Want proof? Read this article to see how one job seekers career evolved through networking
      

2. Same old, same old: Does your day consist of getting online every day, entering keywords into online job boards, hoping to find something, then firing off emails and resumes to any company that may be remotely close to what you want to do? Instead of focusing on any job, focus more time and energy on perfecting your approach for a few jobs you would really like to interview for. Do a half-hearted job and recruiters will notice. Guaranteed.
    
3. Applying for the wrong job: Are you under-qualified for jobs you are applying for? Are you overqualified? Don’t have the right skills? That’s why tip #1 is so important, a good resume tailored specifically to the job you are applying for can help you stand out in a crowded pool of applicants – but only if you are applying for the right jobs.
    
4. Finally, if you get the interview, get excited, but the work is far from over. So many people think an interview means they get the job. Wrong! An interview means you have the qualifications the employer is looking for, and you are among the select group asked to come in and meet your potential new employer. Put as much time in to preparing and planning for the interview as you do a good resume, and you will go from searching for a job and getting an interview, to getting a new job.