Why Do I Get Interviews But No Job?

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


There are few things job hunters find more frustrating than spending a lot of time and energy preparing for a job interview and then not getting the job. While even the most personable and motivated interviewees don't land the job every time, if you find that you are getting a lot of interviews but not a single job offer, you may want to make some changes to your job interview strategy.

If you've already landed the job interview, chances are that you are more than qualified for the position you're applying for. However, getting a job offer requires more than just having the right experience. There are likely to be multiple interview candidates with the same or very similar skills as you, so during the interview, you must focus on differentiating yourself from them. Perhaps the easiest and one of the most important ways to do this is by expressing genuine interest in the company and job.

Displaying your enthusiasm for the position you are interviewing for goes a long way when it comes to making the hiring manager remember you and think of you in a positive way. Of course, not everyone expresses excitement easily, and not every position is a dream job worthy of your enthusiasm. Even if this is the case, you still must make an effort to appear enthusiastic.

If the biggest problem is that you're not that thrilled about the job, research into the company, and try to find some positive aspects about the company to focus on during the interview. Perhaps the position gives you the opportunity to supervise employees, or maybe the company donates money to your favorite charity. Allow what attracted you to the job or company to come out naturally during the job interview.

If you are a naturally reserved person who rarely displays enthusiasm, practice looking more relaxed and cheerful when preparing for the interview. It is not necessary to jump up and down and clap your hands, but you can communicate your enthusiasm to the hiring manager by appearing pleasant, confident and open.

Finally, remember to remain professional during the job interview, even while conveying a sense of excitement. Finding the right balance of enthusiasm and professionalism may be a challenge at first, but once you master it, you are sure to find yourself getting an offer as well as an interview.

The number one rule to remember when preparing for a job interview is that showing enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the company to which you are applying can take you a long way. Think of your job interview as a rehearsed performance rather than a formal conversation. Work having a sense of enthusiasm into your interview script, and hiring managers are sure to take notice.

 

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net


 

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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Debra thanks for your comments. Just one quick thing here - if the job was 17 years ago, why even bother to include it on your resume? The standard rule of thumb is to only include the last 10 years on your resume. It might help if you just remove that position totally from your resume and maybe search for a position that corresponds to work that you have done over the past ten years. This way you won't have to explain what happened back then. Also, since it's been 1 1/2 years that you have been looking, have you considered a career change? Maybe going back to school for something different? Have you had any experience with temp agencies? Great way to get into a job that is different and then be able to add the skills/experience to your resume. Just some food for thought.

  • DEBRA J.
    DEBRA J.

    I can't seem to get any job consideration once I had a phone interview. The last phone interview was for a position I did for 17 years so I know I was more than qualified, so I knew the answer for rejection was why I was fired from a former job ( it was alleged I violated company's policy). How can one positively overcome this black cloud in their job search? It has been 1-1/2 years and no positive outcome in my job search.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Caroline thank you for the insight from the recruiters side. Yes, "getting a foot in the door" was a standard phrase used many years ago. Truly does not apply today - at least not to most companies. All of those years ago, once you "got a foot in the door", you were in the company for life unless you decided to leave. Today, the standard run for an employee is about three years and that is even changing to less. @John yes you will find many grammatical errors on the comments and it's true that, as a job seeker, we really need to pay attention to grammar and spelling. Thank you for that.

  • JOHN M.
    JOHN M.

    Sorry to some of you folks: you need to proof read your notes, they contain grammar and spelling errors.

  • JOHN M.
    JOHN M.

    To Ms. Nancy Anderson, I like your advice for these folks. And yes age discrimination and maybe they just don't like the way you look are major factors.

  • Vera T.
    Vera T.

    I have been looking for a while also and have confronted the same issues as Carolina W. My skills are excellent but I once I arrive for the interview I KNOW that I am not a good fit in this new workplace. I have only applied to companies/positions of interest, but the subtle effects of age discrimination is very real.

  • denice jernigan
    denice jernigan

    I agree totally.

  • Carolina W.
    Carolina W.

    I recruited for almost a decade for a well know Medical Supplier and the worst thing for me was an applicant saying " I just want to get my foot in the door", expressing they would take any available position. Getting us confused with another company with a similar name. Please do your homework, research the employer, have a couple of meaningful questions for the interviewing manager and don't forget to ask for the job. Tell them why they should hire you. This is not time to be shy. This is your time to "shine" and ask them what the next step in the interviewing process is. Be yourself, be genuine, a little enthusiasm goes a long way and please leave your phone in the car. This followed by a thank you email or note will yield a job offer!

  • TRAORE M.
    TRAORE M.

    nice said! totally agree. but not sooooo easy

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Nischelle I guess the response to your question is that it depends. Typically if the experience is greater than ten years ago, you wouldn't include it. However, if that is the only experience that you have that relates to the job you are applying for, I would say to go ahead and include it. The basic goal of the resume is to show the hiring manager that you meet his criteria. That's pretty much it. It's just to get you in the door and then it's up to you to sell yourself. @Joyce as much as I hate to say this, it would appear that maybe it's your age that is causing the issues. One thing that I have learned is to research the company as much as I can. For instance find ABC Company on LinkedIn and then see if you can find others who work there. If you find others but they are 40 years younger, then you probably have your answer. Yes age discrimination is against the law but companies are finding ways around it. Many companies now include a "talent" section or a "team" section. There you can usually see photos of the team. Again, it will let you know what you are up against. I know that's not the best response but sadly it is the current state of affairs in our country. Don't give up, though. Keep applying. All it takes is one excellent interview with a hiring manage who wants to hire based upon experience, not upon age.

  • nischelle white
    nischelle white

    What if when I apply for a job I have the experience they are asking for, but it is not recent experience, do I still put it on my resume?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Jeanne so wonderful that you are enjoying networking and meeting new people. Hang in - that position will come along. Just continue to apply and interview. In the meantime, is there maybe a class at your local community college or even one online that you can take in processing EMRs? That way you could get some real hands-on experience and maybe even be able to get a position through the college. Worth a shot. We all wish you the best.

  • Jeanne Dabaldo
    Jeanne Dabaldo

    Michigan, I have gone on a few interviews in the past month now, I find them interesting but very different from when I last had to interview 14 years ago! I was laid off from my job, because the Dr. closed his practice, and so I have been out in the job field seeking full time employment. It is a different process than what I remember years ago, and I am learning with the times. I actually am enjoying meeting new people and have no problem with talking and being confident, but they all seem to go well, and I'm not getting hired. I definitely have the experience, but am lacking in some of the new Medical technology! EMR systems are fairly new to allot of Medical offices, and we weren't EMR yet. I have worked on one for about a week, but that doesn't give me the experience needed. I am familiar with how they work, and can type in the information where it is needed to be...just need a chance at someone wanting to train me or let me train for this new technique. I'm sure that I will catch on quickly! I am staying positive about this.

  • Paulo d.
    Paulo d.

    I HAVE GOT SAME BUT I AM NOT LUCK.

  • Nancy A.
    Nancy A.

    @Yvonne you are absolutely right that times have changed. Our world is more computerized than ever and working globally is not just for large corporations anymore. Unfortunately it does not appear that we will ever go back to the good old days. The ways are here to stay. It truly is sad to see small towns just drying up and going to ruin just like they did all those years ago - such as during the gold rush. People moved on and survived and they will do the same thing today. We just have to learn to adapt to the new world and be prepared for different types of Job interviews today. Many companies are using personality testing, behavioral testing and even doing hands-on week-long interviews to find the right candidate for their position.

  • Yvonne W.
    Yvonne W.

    The difference in the world of today and the world of yesteryear is that more & more of the processes are compartmentalized & computerized focusing more of the profit at a higher level while the resources are scrutinized more & treated more detached than as a business family.

    Meaning at one time, companies were generating revenue in majority of small towns across the US. Many could choose to find work where they were born & raised. A company's headquarters was in Pittsburgh, the divisions/plants were in the surrounding area.

    Now, small towns are disintegrating and drying up. There are no companies in these towns either they went overseas, merged/acquired into bigger ones. Result, HR is in NC, sales/marketing is in Austin, plants can be all over the world all connected via computers. There is no need to have the all important connections be human. Enterprise systems do the jobs of many, payroll/inventory/quality assurance many functions can be done automatically even some decision making.

    We have lost unity & cohesion, we splinter out parts of the whole contracting accounting & some human resources. Many don't work for the 'company' anyone but for a contractor that the company pays so they don't have to pay compensation & taxes on.

    Committees do a lot of hiring and there is someone thinking up a better way to find & screen out undesirable employees (personality/aptitude tests, background checks, certifications & drug tests) that although they think screens out undesirables it makes those applying feeling as if big brother is watching them.

  • Yvonne W.
    Yvonne W.

    Since royalty there has been a 'who you know, how you know' network. People got deeded lands and titles based on this. In the United States, we don't have royalty in that manner, but we do have the country clubs, private schools & neighborhoods, alumni & union affiliations. People tend to like conformity which is knowing the person they do business with. So who someone grew up, or went to church, private school, college, law school opens doors for 'like' people.

    Investment banks, law firms have given internships to those associated somehow with their partners and helps them pave a road into that lifestyle. There is a connection many can't state isn't. There are always exceptions showing hard work & great grades does aid, but majority that get accepted into the top businesses usually have a connection helped paved their way in.

    People run organizations although the term the 'bank' or the 'firm' are used to imply a non-entity. It's the people in power that influence how it is run & managed. Although we in the United States have a certain type of government, it is the people that manage & run it influence the interpretation of those laws. At one point, women couldn't have their own checking account without a man's signature. Now women, can not only have a checking account, but own land, run a business and be a judge in the courts monitoring everyone's constitutional rights. How people became judges is a great example, some are appointed and some are voted in. There is a who you know, how you know manner how this all got done. Not everyone that is a lawyer gets to that point, it takes connections to get up to that level.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Yvonne thanks for your feedback. I can certainly hear your frustration. Thanks for helping JR out with his questions concerning disability. It is true that finding a job today is harder than ever. It is true that you have to champion yourself - have to sell and market yourself. Unlike years ago when you could walk into a company with a smile and your resume and sometimes even get an on the spot interview, today job seekers are jumping through hoops to even get noticed. But, having said that, the world is changing again. Jobs are becoming more plentiful. Not that I think that we will go back to the old days but companies are starting to loosen the purse strings and starting to hire again. I believe that it will go back to being more what you know than who you know when it comes to finding a job. So hang in there and keep applying to jobs that you are qualified for and it will happen. We wish you all the best.

  • Yvonne W.
    Yvonne W.

    To JR D
    Going through a state or non-profit advocate agency for the disabled is a very good start. They can assist you in finding out what options you have. Some even have employment recruiters to help the disabled work and assist in giving them job aids (wheelchairs, reading devices or companions). They also give tax incentives

    What are you going to do?
    Do you have plans on re-entering the workforce by simply applying to what you did before?

    I would strongly urge you answer some questions based on your disability
    If have vision for ex; can you do what you did before?
    Is your line-of-work in demand & marketable?
    Ex: Can you look on this job search and other search engines and see it listed?
    If it is, NOW at this time do you fit 100%, 90% of 10% of the requirements listed? Or do you have to gain additional certification, degrees or experience?
    If you can't, these agencies can help you decide what you are capable of doing.

    Depending on your state, within these same agencies, there are disability services that can help you find or get training (free of charge using state or federal grants) to get the certifications or educational degree or apprenticeship you may need for a specific job or re-entry back into that job.

    This is important to note that certifications are not covered by federal & state student grants so this may be a good start. Why spend precious money to live on if this can be given for you to start a new life not being dependent. That is the goal of these agencies to help you become self-supportive & to help in aiding you so employers will hire you.

  • Yvonne W.
    Yvonne W.

    This is such a strange & odd world we live in it's not one thing that determines who gets hired. It depends on so many things internal (need, demand, supply, turnover issues, type of organizational structure, cronyism/nepotism, personality of department etc.).

    Basic adage is who you know, when you know them and what you know gets you in the side door. Network, research and find allies that can aid you. I applied for a job required supposedly extensive experience in instructional design & so many lifecycles equivalent to 2 yrs of a particular software.

    Yet the person hired, had no experience in the software, never did an implementation nor had any yrs doing instructional design. It was her first job working. Why did this person get it? She knew two people on the project. They recommended her & got in without any issue.

    If you aren't familiar with sales & marketing, one better learn fast. The only person who will market & sell you is you. So practice the 'elevator speech' and learn how to handle the uncomfortable issues (if you have any) about your work history and be a salesman that can sell the Brooklyn Bridge. Along with how not to let desperation creep into your overall presentation and learning how to cope with rejection & silent treatment by recruiters & interviewers.

    Be confident (not overly), courteous, patient & mature in interviews no matter how the other side acts, be cool, calm & collected. Desperation is easily smelled & turns off their interest. Know how to pretend to be listening & wait to respond to questions don't jump or anticipate. Being too smart is a turn off, an interviewer could think you are too ambitious.

    Keep one important thing in mind all those interviewing MUST find you 'likable' to decide that you can fit with their group you are in otherwise out. No one wants to be fighting constantly or dealing with disagreeable people usurping their authority or making them think you are going after their job being too smart making them insecure. That's why when one thinks they are showing intelligence it could come across intimidating the supervisor you would work for. It shows on their end whether or not you realize it.

    Think of it like this, when in love in the early stages, no one can talk about their object of love negatively. They defend & stand supportive. Here, no one will get rid of their favorites but will easily drop someone not connected to.

    Entry level - Now requires some form of experience and a lot of knowledge on various computer applications.
    Experienced - Reviewed based on all the criteria they list plus some they purposely don't list. Demerits are taken away for age, location (small town vs big, well name vs. small obscure company and time unemployed) including any employment gaps during your career.

    Quotient not discussed but still reviewed- Pretty vs. plain; Slender vs. fat; Youthful vs. older looking; Single vs married (child bearing years for women; maturity in men); Well dressed vs. Sloppy; Reserved vs outspoken know-it-all

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @JR, I would suggest that you mention, in your summary, why you have a 22 yr gap - without going into any real detail. It is unfortunate that our society still looks negatively on those who are on disability. Good for you for rising above it and getting back into the workforce. Of course the first question an interviewer is going to ask is "What have you done for yourself these past 22 years?" Did you go to school? Did you spend the time learning new concepts - teaching yourself how to do things better? That is what any employer is going to want to know. As for the job hunt, go in with a realistic expectation. You are not going to start out at $100,000/yr with an executive position. I don't know what type of work you were doing 22 yrs ago but I dare say that it has changed. If you are moving into a different career area, it would be good to have the education to back it up. We wish all the best as you move back into the work world.

  • JR D.
    JR D.

    how do I get back to work after 22 yrs, on disability

  • Steve D.
    Steve D.

    Haven 't even gotten an inter view in a long time

  • stanley b.
    stanley b.

    64 yrs,can't get full time job age.i have 40 yrs work experience and 15 yrs management.vp branch manager banking Carolina bank.wow kick old to curb due to health ins.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Gamin thanks for your comments. It is tough out there to be sure. Sounds like you haven't worked in a very long time which is going to make things even harder for you. I would suggest that you try some of the freelance sites for writing - just so that you can prove yourself with your writing skills and know that this is the path you want to take. There are a ton of jobs out there for freelancers. Once you have made a name for yourself, then you will have something to show a prospective employer. It's going to be extremely hard to get a position as a graphic artist or admin without any viable experience. Freelancing sounds like it might be the best way for you to get started. As for networking - get on LinkedIn. Create a profile and then start searching for others who like the same type of work as you. Doesn't matter if you know them - that's what networking is. Sure it would be nice if you could start the networking process with someone that you know but it's not necessary. I have "met" a ton of folks through networking. I have even found jobs by networking with people that I have never met. Get started today and you might be surprised. Wishing you all the best.

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