6 Reasons You’re Not Getting Noticed In Your Job Search
If your phone isn’t ringing for interviews, it’s your resume.
Here are 6 mistakes job seekers make:
1. Your resume is filled with pages of bullets describing your functional job responsibilities. It’s called a functional resume and everyone does it, but it’s not doing you any favors. And the shocker?? Those bullets rarely, if ever, get read!
I call them mind-numbing bullets. GRIN.
2. You’ve gone back to the beginning of time (in your career). Go back 10 — maximum of 15 years. The job you were doing 15 years ago, very likely, isn’t the type of job you want to be doing now.
And the litmus test?? If you can’t remember the details of your job from “back in the day”, it definitely stays off!
The worst thing you can say in an interview is “I don’t remember” because that just says you don’t have a great memory. And that’s not good!
3. You’ve given away your age….and whether you’re young or older, sometimes it can work against you.
I did a national radio call-in show last year. A gent called in and very proudly said, “I’ve got 30 years’ experience…and I’m not getting calls on my resume.”
I shared with him, that leading with 30 years is likely working against him. We’re taught to be very proud of our years of experience and be. BUT, it is an of an age-giveaway.
Again, the role you were doing all those years ago isn’t likely the role you want to be doing now.
4. You’ve got big gaps on your resume. Yeah, hiring managers don’t like to see gaps. Ideally when one position stops another immediately starts. (I’ve got some really creative ways to cover gaps in your resume, but that’s a full other article!)
5. You’re moving jobs too frequently. If you’ve moved on from each of your roles after a year…well, chances are you’ll do the same in the next role. It will be up to you to convince a hiring manager otherwise in an interview!
6. You’re doing a career pivot and it’s not clear why. If you’re changing jobs, move your education to the first page. Ideally, you’ve taken training or courses to help you segue into your new career. Don’t hide your education on the second page. It needs to be upfront.
Add a target position and make the target the EXACT title of the job you’re applying for.
With a few tweaks, your phone will be ringing for interviews in no time!
Here’s a few other articles to help you with your job search:
I write about job searching, resumes, interviewing, career inspiration and mentorship, and occasionally some silly marketing. www.sheilamusgrove.com I’ve authored two books, best-seller, “Hired! How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.” & “Unexpected Mentors. Weird & Creative Ideas To Boost Your Career.” Both are available worldwide on Amazon.
