Despite a disappointing February jobs report, the workforce on the whole is still doing pretty well, and now is still a decent time to be putting your resume out there in the hopes of landing a new position. But what if you've been applying left and right to no avail? Is your timing off, or is there a bigger issue at hand? Here are just a few reasons why you might be struggling to get hired -- despite being qualified for the roles you're applying to.
1. You don't prepare adequately for interviews
It's one thing to get nervous at job interviews, but it's another thing to show up utterly unprepared. If you've been guilty of the latter, it could explain why you've yet to land a job offer this year. Rather than continue spinning your wheels, invest some time before attending interviews. Research the industry and companies at hand, and, if possible, read up on the people you'll be interviewing with (if you know their names ahead of time, you can see if they have LinkedIn profiles or other information listed online). Additionally, prepare a list of questions to ask at each interview -- it'll show that you've put thought into that discussion ahead of time.
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Finally, study your own resume before each interview you go on and be prepared to talk about your experience. If there's a skill you used at a former job that's relevant to a new role you're applying for, brush up on it so that if asked about it during an interview, you won't fumble.
2. You don't follow up with interviewers
Though some people might tell you that thank-you notes aren't necessary following an interview, they actually can go a long way. Or, rather, when you don't send a thank-you, it sends the message that you're not that interested in the job at hand. Since some companies move quickly on the hiring front, it's perfectly acceptable to send a thank-you message by email rather than compose one by hand and wait for it to get delivered. And that's a five-minute investment worth making.
3. You post the wrong things on social media
These days, it's common practice for companies to review job candidates' social media pages, and if yours has unfavorable content, it could really hurt your chances. Of course, there's nothing wrong with showing off some photos of your latest vacation on your social media page. But pictures of you doing vodka shots at your local watering hole won't win you any points on the hiring front, nor will posts that feature foul or inappropriate language. Even a political tirade could hurt your chances of landing a job, so do yourself a favor and either keep your social media profile private or keep its content on the safe side of tame.
If you're a seemingly strong job candidate who just isn't getting hired, it may be time to ask yourself what you're doing wrong, and take steps to fix it. If you prepare properly for interviews, follow up accordingly, and avoid controversy on social media, you might boost your chances of landing a new job in the near future.
