Why Can't I Get Any Job Interviews? Here's the Real Reason
If youâve been job hunting for months with no interviews, I get itâyouâre frustrated, discouraged, and maybe even wondering, âWhat am I doing wrong?â As someone whoâs been in the trenches of career coaching for over 20 years, helping thousands of people land better jobs, Iâve heard this story countless times. The good news? Itâs not that thereâs something inherently wrong with you or your resume. The bad news? The way youâre looking for work is the problem. But donât worryâweâre going to fix that. Letâs dive into what youâve been doing wrong and how you can change your approach to start landing those interviews.
Why Applying Online Isn't Working đ„ïž
Hereâs the harsh truth: Applying for jobs online and waiting for the phone to ring is like buying a lottery ticket and hoping youâll hit the jackpot. Youâre putting your resume into a black hole where itâs unlikely to be seen by anyone who matters. Why? Because applicant tracking systems (ATS)âthe software that scans resumes before they even get to a humanâare working against you.
Iâve talked to job seekers who meticulously match their resumes to the job description, thinking thatâs the golden ticket. But when I ask them how theyâre actually applying for jobs, they admit theyâre doing it all online, matching themselves 100% to the job posting. This might sound logical, but in todayâs market, itâs a recipe for going unnoticed. With so many people applying through the same channels, your chances of standing out are slim to none.
The Secret Weapon: Back-Channeling đ€«
Now, let me introduce you to a technique I teach my clients: back-channeling. If youâve never heard of it, thatâs okayâmost job seekers havenât. But itâs a strategy that can take you from the bottom of the pile to the top of the hiring managerâs list.
Back-channeling is all about bypassing the ATS and getting your resume directly into the hands of the person who has the power to hire you. Imagine this: Instead of being just another faceless resume in the ATS abyss, you become the one resume that lands directly on the hiring managerâs desk. Youâre no longer competing against hundreds of othersâyouâre in a league of your own.
How do you do this? Itâs all about networking and research. Find out who the hiring manager is, connect with them on LinkedIn, or better yet, through a mutual contact. Send a personalized message that explains why youâre the perfect fit for the role and how your skills align with what they need. This isnât about spamming people with your resumeâitâs about making a genuine connection that sets you apart from the crowd.
The Power of Your Connection Story đ
But waitâback-channeling is only half the battle. Once youâve caught the hiring managerâs attention, you need to keep it. This is where your connection story comes in.
Whatâs a connection story? Itâs your opportunity to explain why this job isnât just another paycheck for you. Itâs your chance to show why youâre genuinely excited about the role and how it aligns with your passions, values, and career goals. In a sea of candidates with similar qualifications, your connection story is what makes you memorable.
Letâs be realâhiring managers are tired of reading the same generic cover letters and resumes. They want to know whatâs going to get you out of bed every morning and keep you motivated to do great work. Your connection story should highlight your unique reasons for wanting to work at that specific company. Maybe itâs their innovative culture, their commitment to social responsibility, or their industry-leading products. Whatever it is, make it personal and authentic.
For example, if youâre applying for a role at a nonprofit that fights hunger, your connection story might focus on how youâve volunteered at food banks and how youâre passionate about making a difference in the world. If youâre going after a job at a tech startup, you could talk about how youâve followed their journey from day one and are excited about the chance to contribute to their next big innovation. The key is to show that this job is more than just a job to youâitâs the job.
Take Charge of Your Job Search Today đŻ
If youâve been struggling to get interviews, itâs time to shake things up. The old way of job searchingâapplying online and hoping for the bestâjust doesnât cut it anymore. You need to be proactive, strategic, and, most importantly, different.
And hereâs the good news: Iâm here to help. Iâve created a 2-hour Job Search Bootcamp that walks you through these strategies step by step. This bootcamp includes a 134-page workbook filled with actionable advice thatâs been proven to get results. And the best part? Itâs only $10. Thatâs rightâfor less than the cost of a few morning coffees, youâll get the tools you need to turn your job search around.
Donât spend another day stuck in the job search grind. Grab the Job Search Bootcamp, start learning how to back-channel, craft your connection story, and finally land those interviews you deserve. Remember, the job search is a gameâand with the right strategy, you can win. Letâs do this together. Go get âem!
Go get âem!
J.T. OâDonnell
Reply