What to Do If You Get Job Interviews But Not Job Offers
Simply Hired Staff
Congratulations! You know how to write a resume that will get you past the eyes of recruiters and land you an interview. The problem? You never get past the first round of interviews. Here are four ways to better reflect the person in your resume and ace the interview.
Articulate concrete examples in your interview
Sit down with your resume and be totally honest with yourself. Can you back up each skill and role responsibility with a specific project or experience? If you’re drawing blanks, that skill probably shouldn’t be on your resume. Edit your resume and only include skills, responsibilities and accomplishments for which you can give an examples of or can go into great detail on the accomplishment or responsibility.
When recalling your past work projects, make sure you dig deep enough to answer these three questions:
- Why do you think the project was successful?
- What were some of your struggles during the project and how did you overcome?
- What would you do differently if you had to do the project again?
The interviewer will want to go into detail on the bullet points of your resume, so make sure you’re prepared by thinking of concrete examples that show off your skills.
Do a run-through with a friend
Preparing for an interview by yourself is a start, but practicing interview questions with a friend will really help you see where you can improve. A friend can offer constructive feedback and catch things that you wouldn’t notice. Maybe you don’t notice that you play with your hair or that your leg shakes uncontrollably. You might also come off as not excited for a role or too arrogant, and a friend can help you see how you present yourself in a mock interview. It will also be a good time to fine-tune your answers to common interview questions and practice thinking on your feet by having your friend ask you questions not on your list.
Dress appropriately and be prepared
You can answer every question eloquently and articulately, but the interviewer may not notice if you don’t dress for the job. This might sound obvious, but a lot of people don’t take care of the details in their interview outfit.. Interviewing is like dating, and hiring managers want to have someone who looks put together–not someone with food in their teeth or uncombed hair. Also, don’t confuse casual with sloppy. Be certain that all of your clothes fit well and are wrinkle-free.
Ask for feedback after an interview
The final tip is even if you don’t get the job. Always send a prompt thank you e-mail, and if you feel comfortable, ask for feedback. A lot of interviewers are busy and might dismiss your e-mail, but there’s always the chance that they’ll respond and offer insightful tips from a hiring manager’s perspective. If they do offer feedback, send a thank-you and really take their advice to heart. It’s important to not be discouraged and take the whole interview process as a chance to learn and grow. You’re one step closer to landing a job.
