Not getting Interviews

10 Reasons Why You're Not Getting Interviews :

          No matter how strong your skills or experience are, you won't land a new job without first securing an interview with a prospective employer. Job seekers often consider this step of the hiring process the most difficult -- and perplexing. After all, how many times have you considered your qualifications ideal for an open position only to never hear from the hiring manager about the resume and cover letter you submitted?

If you're looking for an edge, make sure you're not falling into these common traps:

1. You only focus on the Googles of the world.

Companies that continually grab headlines and are highly recognizable can be exciting places to work. But so are many companies you've never heard of. Keep in mind that organizations that are household names often receive thousands of résumés for each opening. Consider exploring opportunities with small and midsize companies. They make up the vast majority of businesses in the United States and sometimes have trouble locating qualified candidates. If Google is your dream employer, don't give up the good fight, but also keep your eyes and ears open to other opportunities.

2. You don't follow directions.

Each company has a different procedure it asks applicants to follow for submitting employment applications. Some ask that you use a form on their Web sites while others prefer traditional phone calls or faxes. Make sure you understand what the prospective employer seeks by carefully reading the job listing. Then, follow the directions to the letter. If you don't, your application may never reach the hiring manager.

3. You need to revamp your resume.

Sending out the same cover letter and resume to all companies isn't likely to capture the attention of prospective employers. Hiring managers want to know why you're a good match for their specific business needs. So take the time to research employers and customize your job search materials by explaining why you're interested in a particular position and how you could make a contribution to the company.

4. Your cover letter isn't enticing.

Think of your cover letter as an appetizer that convinces the hiring manager your resume, the main course, is worth sampling. The best cover letters take select details from the resume and expand upon them, explaining in depth how your talents and experience can benefit the prospective employer.

5. You don't reference keywords.

Companies that receive a high volume of resume often use scanning software that looks for certain keywords to determine which candidates to call for interviews. More often than not, keywords come directly from the job description. Terms such as "Microsoft Office," "accounts payable and receivable" and "Cisco Certified Network Administrator" are examples. As much as possible, ensure your resume and cover letter contain keywords.

6. Your application materials aren't perfect.

Submitting an application that contains typos and grammatical goofs is perhaps the quickest way to foil your chances of securing an interview. In fact, 84 percent of executives polled in a recent survey by our company said it takes just one or two errors to remove a candidate from consideration. The reason: These types of mistakes show a lack of professionalism and attention to detail. Make sure to carefully proofread your resume prior to submitting it and ask a friend or family member to do the same.

7. You don't know who to send your resume to.

Though it's fine to start your cover letter with the generic salutation "To Whom It May Concern," hiring managers pay special attention to applications that are addressed directly to them. If the job advertisement doesn't include the hiring manager's name, call the company and speak to the receptionist or a member of the person's department. More often than not, you can obtain the information fairly easily if you're candid about your reason for wanting it.

8. You don't have an 'in' with the company.

Using the name of a common contact to make the connection between you and the hiring manager is by far the best way to ensure your cover letter and resume get optimal attention. So, keep in touch with members of your professional network; you never know who has a contact at the company you hope to work for.

9. You don't follow up.

One way to improve the odds a hiring manager gives consideration to your resume is to follow up with him or her. According to a survey by our company, 86 percent of executives said job seekers should contact a hiring manager within two weeks of sending a resume and cover letter. Often a brief phone call or e-mail reasserting your interest in the position and strong qualifications is enough.

10. You're not as qualified as you think.

The bottom line may be that you're simply not as perfect for the job as you think. Before submitting your resume, take a close look at the job description and compare your skills and experience with those required for the position. If a job calls for five years of retail management experience, and you have only two, you might not be as qualified as other applicants. While sometimes it's possible to make up for skills gaps if you excel in other areas, hiring managers frequently have specific criteria in mind, and they use it to determine whom they call for interviews.No matter how strong your skills or experience are, you won't land a new job without first securing an interview with a prospective employer. Job seekers often consider this step of the hiring process the most difficult -- and perplexing. After all, how many times have you considered your qualifications ideal for an open position only to never hear from the hiring manager about the resume and cover letter you submitted?

Most common mistakes to avoid During Interview Time

       For many job seekers, the interview is the single most stressful part of the job search process. Any number of things can go wrong, and a big part of being successful is avoiding simple mistakes. Here is list of most common mistakes job seekers make and how to avoid them.

1. Failure to research the company Recruiters say that they expect candidates to spend at least one hour doing research on their web sites and reading about their companies via other web sites. Do your homework before the interview; know what the company does, and who their competitors are.
2. Being unclear on which job you are interviewing for Become familiar with the job description so you can explain how your experiences, talents, strengths, and abilities will connect with company needs. Highlight how you're suited to that particular job.
3. Not marketing yourself Define yourself. What makes you different from other job candidates? Know your major strengths and accomplishments as they relate to the job you are applying for and the company.
4. Asking silly questions Have at least three or four intelligent questions to ask the recruiter. It's OK (it actually leaves a positive impression with the recruiter) to have them written down in advance and to reference them at the appropriate time. Interviews are an exchange of information, and arriving without questions shows that you did not prepare for the whole interview.
5. Dressing inappropriately for the interview Professional attire and attention to detail still count. You can never be too professional. Remember that everything-your appearance, your tone of voice, your conduct-contribute to the impression (positive or negative) that you make. Be presentable. Wear a pressed suit and shirt and polished shoes.
6. Trying to wing the interview Practice! Get a list of general interview questions, a friend, a tape recorder, and a mirror and conduct an interview rehearsal. Practice until your delivery feels comfortable, not canned.
7. Not being yourself Be yourself and be honest! Don't pretend to understand a question or train of thought if you don't. If you don't know an answer, say so. Relax and be yourself. Remember you're interviewing the company, too.
8. Listening poorly Focus on the question that is being asked and don't try to anticipate the next one. It's OK to pause and collect your thoughts before answering a question.
9. Offering too little detail When answering case questions or technical questions or solving technical problems, take the time to "talk through" your thought processes. Recruiters are interested in seeing how your mind works and how it attacks a problem.
10. Lacking enthusiasm Maintain eye contact, greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake (not too weak, not too strong), and show common courtesy. Don't be afraid to display your passion for the job/industry and to show confidence.
11. Do not arrive late for the interview.
12. Do not indicate you are late because the directions you were given were not good.
13. Do not slouch in your seat.
14. Do not maintain eye contact with the wall instead of the interviewer.
15. Do not answer most questions with simple "yes" and "no" answers.
16. Do not badmouth your current or former employer.
17. Do not ask "How am I doing? Are you going to hire me?"
18. When asked "Do you have any questions?", do not reply "No."

Before Interview - important to all

Job interviews manage to instil the fear of ‘Custard the cowardly dog' in us. Why do we all feel the same anxiety, stress and panic during job interviews? After asking several Job Seekers what they fear most about job interviews, the results all point to one universal fear. How to answer difficult job interview questions?

An interviewer's task is to get a feel for you as a person. Asking tricky questions during a job interview is a sure way to evaluate how well a candidate copes under pressure. High pressure questions and difficult interview questions are asked in an attempt to assess if a candidate is right for the available position or not. To eliminate fears about how to answer difficult job interview questions familiarise yourself with them. Ahead of your job interview, prepare answers to tricky job interview questions and don't get caught off guard. Check out the following tricky job interview questions and find easy was to answer them. Don't let fears of the unknown ruin your chances of landing a great job. Follow these simple job interview guidelines and answer difficult interview questions with ease.

1. What are your weaknesses and how do you remedy these?

We all have character defects and areas of our jobs that are weaker than others. While this is true to every worker, no one likes to admit to their imperfections. When an interviewer asks this difficult question, there are specific ways to answer. Never admit to weaknesses that will hinder you from performing your core role. Rather try to specify a defect that is a weakness but almost favours or benefits the company directly, should they hire you. An example of such a weakness is being a perfectionist. While being a perfectionist suggests you pay attention to detail, if not managed appropriately, this can sometimes slow your productivity down. To counter such a weakness, you could express how important time management is to you and how you apply this to your daily responsibilities. As mentioned before, prepare for this difficult interview question ahead of time so as to avoid being put on the spot.

2. Name a challenge you have had to overcome in your career and how did you do so?

The reason why interviewers ask this tricky job interview question is to directly assess how well you mange with adversity. By asking such a question, the interviewer is not so concerned with what the problem was, but more so how you managed to overcome this problem. To answer this difficult question, again hold back on getting too excited over your troubles. Highlight a situation that was challenging but not colossally damaging to your career. An example of an answer to this question would be; managing a difficult staff member and the innovative ways you implemented in order to remedy the situation. Again you don't want to confess that you make regular mistakes when facing challenges. Rather attempt to display your proactive stance in order to avoid such situations.

3. Why are you looking for a new job?

The most important thing to keep in mind when faced with this tricky interview question is never slate your previous employer. As tempting as this may be or as much as the job interviewer pry's, never ever bad mouth a previous employer. Although you may have valid reason to want to leave, it never looks professional when Job Seekers blame their employers for having to look for a new job. You are entitled to your opinion but remember to use tact and always be respectful. Try to answer this difficult job interview question with a positive statement such as seeking greater job satisfaction, career advancements or the desire to apply your skills to a new industry.

4. Yes or No questions.

Never answer a job interview question with only a yes or no answer. Closed ended answers are just as bad as the interviewer asking you a difficult, closed ended question. Always justify a yes or no answer with substantial back up. Give examples and display your comprehensive knowledge on the matter so as to ensure you are giving an impressionable answer.

5. Why should we hire you?

While no one likes to advertise where their weaknesses lie, society has also taught us to be modest and humble. When asked this difficult job interview question, the most important thing to remember is to sell yourself as best you can. When approached with such a question, this is your opportunity to blow your trumpet loud and clear. The pre job interview preparation will come in handy now, as you will need to be on your toes when answering such a tricky question. Highlight relevant accomplishments and abilities you possess that are specific to the interviewer's requirements. Be sure to assess the details of the job ad prior to your interview in order to answer this difficult question.

6. What salary expectations do you have?

Money matters are bound to come up during a job interview. One of the most difficult questions to answer during a job interview is what salary package you are looking to receive. Prior to your job interview research salary surveys so that you have a clear indication of what the industry standard is. Market related salaries are a good basis to motivate your salary requirements with. The more flexible you are and open to negotiations you are the better. Don't forget to take into account fringe benefits that may be offered to you. While fringe benefits may not be tangible funds, they do contribute significantly to your total cost to company.

The most common feature when looking for ways in which to address difficult job interview questions is to prepare before. The more research and preparation you put in before your job interview, the better your answers will be. Preparing ahead of time is always the best way to eliminate anxiety and job interview stress. Eventuate for these difficult job interview questions and answer them articulately and without any hesitation.

Before Interview - important to all

Dress to impress!! Human nature dictates that how you look makes the first impression. Then prepare to impress them with you as the individual.

• Conservative business attire if appropriate.
• Clean and pressed Dress uniform, ensure your decorations and insignia are displayed per regulation. Have someone else check your uniform out. How would it look if your ribbons were askew and not centered; if your insignia was placed on your uniform haphazardly?
• Are your dress shoes clean and do they shine? Do your Combat boots have a fresh coat of Kiwi?
• What are you indirectly telling the interviewers of your professionalism?
• For females, remember the regulations that pertain to you in regards to your dress and appearance.
• Have someone familiar with the military uniform look your uniform over prior to the interveiw date.  Should you not have a readily available Dress uniform ensure your BDU's are highly pressed and your boots are polished.
• Check with the Interviewer for direction on the appropriate attire for the interview. (If it is a military position then dress appropriately.)
• Bring 2 - 3 copies of your resume to the interview: You may want to include Letters of Recommendation, Training Certificates, Performance Appraisals, etc.
• Have someone do a practice interview with you.

Do some background research of the position and write down questions that you would like to know about the position or agency?

The Interview:

Arrive 10-15 minutes early: It will give you time to compose yourself from that harried commute or other things on your mind.  Arriving early also shows a genuine interest in obtaining employment. As opposed to arriving late and perhaps scattered. The first 10-15
seconds of the interview are the most critical. The First Impression is Crucial. Then maintain that impression throughout the interview.

Greet the employer/interviewer(s) with a firm handshake, good eye contact, and a smile: You are showing courtesy to the employer/ interviewer(s). You want to show yourself as skilled and at the same time convey your humanity.  Show you are someone with positive energy, ambition and a team player. Ask the employer to describe the job.

During the Interview:

This is the meat of the Interview. The interviewer(s) are going to have to make a decision on whether to hire you or not based off how you present yourself and your abilities.   Your resume/ application got you through the door. Now is the time is to demonstrate what you say and know meet the road. Can you jump tall buildings with a single leap?

• Do not give yes/no answers, but at the same time DO NOT ramble. Explain and clarify yourself. If you do not understand the question then have them repeat it or restate it? Be clear and consice with your responses. The interviewers want to know what is in your head and how you present yourself.
• Answers should relate to the position being filled.
• Keep answers complete and to the point:
• Attitude is everything. Stay positive - Do not give any negative comments about past or present employers/ supervisors
• Tell the interviewer(s) what you can do for the organization and for them?
• What makes you the best candidate for this position?
• Know your background and strengths and how to support them.

At the end of the Interview:

Interview the Interviewer(s), have 6-10 written questions ready to ask the employer and/ or interviewer(s). The announcement is a short synopsis of the whole job. What are the hidden aspects of the position? If you are new to federal employment have them describe to you what will be expected of you.

• A good "Opening Question" is..."What do you feel are the three most important things you are looking for in this position?"    
• Questions should pertain to the organization, position and selecting Official
• Questions should not pertain to salary, benefits or lunch hour.
• Thank them for the opportunity to interview and that you look forward to hearing from them.

Call the HRO for a practice interview if you feel you need one. 

50 Common Interview Questions and Answers

Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it.

1. Tell me about yourself:

The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co- workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward- looking reasons.

3. What experience do you have in this field?

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

4. Do you consider yourself successful?

You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.5. What do co-workers say about you?

Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.

6. What do you know about this organization?

This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

8. Are you applying for other jobs?

Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

9. Why do you want to work for this organization?

This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

10. Do you know anyone who works for us?

Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.

11. What kind of salary do you need?

A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

12. Are you a team player?

You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?

This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.

15. What is your philosophy towards work?

The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?

Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

19. Why should we hire you?

Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made.

Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

21. What irritates you about co-workers?

This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

22. What is your greatest strength?

Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude

23. Tell me about your dream job.

Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.

24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?

Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

25. What are you looking for in a job?

See answer # 23

26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?

There are numerous good possibilities:

Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver

29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.

Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

30. What has disappointed you about a job?

Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:

Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.

32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?

Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?

This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition

34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?

This is up to you. Be totally honest.

35. How would you know you were successful on this job?

Several ways are good measures:

You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss tell you that you are successful

36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself uture grief.

37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.

38. Describe your management style.

Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.

39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.

40. Do you have any blind spots?

Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.

41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?

Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.

42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?

Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.

43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?

First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.

44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?

Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.

45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.

Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled.

46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?

Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.

47. Describe your work ethic.

Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.

48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.

49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.

Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.

50. Do you have any questions for me?

Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples.

And Finally Good Luck - V.Saravanan, B.Magesh and K.Raja.