Blog · 6 min read
Why am I not getting interviews? Seven fixable reasons
Silence after dozens of applications feels personal. Usually it is a handful of fixable things, and you can check each one in an afternoon.
1. The resume does not match the posting
Recruiters often scan for the job's own words. If the posting asks for vendor management and your resume says supplier relationships, say both where it is true.
Tailor the top third of your resume to each role: title line, summary and the first two bullets of your latest job.
2. Your bullets describe duties, not results
"Responsible for scheduling" tells a reader what the job was. "Built a schedule for 14 staff that cut overtime" tells them what you did. Use real results only. If you have no number, describe the change plainly.
3. You are applying too late
Many postings get most of their attention in the first days. Set a short daily window to check the few sites that matter for your field and apply to fresh posts first.
4. You are aiming at the wrong level
Read the required years and scope honestly. Apply one step up when you meet most of the requirements, and not five steps up.
5. The file is hard to read
Tables, text boxes, headers with contact details and image-only PDFs can confuse some application systems. A simple single-column layout exported as a text PDF or Word file is the safest choice.
6. You never follow up
A short note five days after applying puts your name back in front of a person. It is polite and normal. See the day-five rule for a template.
7. You are only applying through the button
Find one person at the company, such as the recruiter or a future teammate, and send a two-line message. A real contact is often worth more than ten cold applications.
What to do this week
Pick your five best-fit postings. Tailor each resume, apply, note the date and follow up on day five. Then review what got a response.
Read the day-five follow-up guide