If you send your resume and get no response, this is probably a question you want answered. As a resume writer, this is a question people often ask before working with me. If you’ve sent multiple resumes and haven’t received a response (even though you’re qualified for the role), there may be a problem with your resume.
In general, there are 3 main reasons why you can’t get an interview after sending your resume.
Incorrectly formatted resume: not compatible with ATS
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is HR software designed to streamline a company’s hiring process. With hundreds of job seekers per job posting, it’s impossible for a recruiter to read every application. ATS ranks resumes based on how well they match the job description. If the resume format isn’t compatible with her ATS, it may not reach the recruiter in the first place.
Some tips on how to effectively format your resume for ATS:
- Use the one-column format. Two-column resumes are often incompatible with ATS and can result in garbled data.
- Eliminate graphics, images, charts and photos. All this content is incompatible with ATS and may result in complete loss of information.
- Use a clean design and use simple fonts/bullets. Maintain a standard resume structure with specific headings, minimize tables, and use standard fonts and bullet points to ensure accurate data processing.
In my article on Applicant Tracking Systems, ATS-Friendly Resume Guide, I will cover all the details you need to know about Applicant Tracking Systems and how to ensure your resume meets these requirements. If you want to know more about how this software works, check out this article.
resume without target
A résumé without goals doesn’t make it clear what you want to do or what you want to do. I generally define a résumé without a goal as one in which it is not possible to identify what the person wants or does within the first five seconds of her.
Today’s resume should be focused on the role you want to apply for. Unfortunately, many people still send generic resumes that very broadly highlight their skills and abilities. A generic resume that doesn’t focus on specific role requirements no longer works. You need to make it clear to the hiring manager that you are a good fit for the role.
Your resume should demonstrate that you have clear job goals. Here’s why.
- Resumes written by people who aren’t clear about what they want to do tend to be unfocused and distracted. This is not what recruiters want.
- Recruiters and HR managers want to see only resumes that meet the poster’s requirements.
Think about it from a recruiter’s or HR’s perspective.
If it’s not immediately clear why you’re the right person for the role, why send your resume to a recruiter? They’re also going to understand what your experience means. there is no. And you probably wouldn’t be satisfied with sending a resume that wasn’t what the recruiter was looking for.
What if I’m not sure what type of position I want?
I often hear from clients who are either unsure of what they want or are considering two different types of roles. If you’re not clear about what you want to do, you may want to clarify first before writing your resume. Career coaching and counseling can help with that!
If you’re considering two types of jobs, you may need to create two different versions of your resume. My video – do you need a 2 of his resume – goes into detail about this.
resume without a plan
A résumé without a plan does not prove that you are capable of getting the job done.
Unfortunately, having clear goals is not enough. This will definitely help, but the next important thing you need to do is have a plan to show the recruiter or HR person that you have the necessary competencies to do the job effectively.
how do i do this research! Luckily, job postings tell you what recruiters are looking for in a candidate. Planning involves researching posts that interest you and putting together a plan that convinces readers of your resume that you can do the job. Remember – you don’t have to meet all the requirements for this – most successful applicants don’t have them all.
3 steps to create a resume plan
Step 1: Review the job posting in detail. Read the job posting/description carefully and identify keywords that appear repeatedly.
Step 2: Make a note of the keywords you observe. Keywords = skills, competencies, and qualifications that are important to the role.
Step 3: Compare – Are these keywords consistent across jobs?
This is where the applicant tracking system comes into play. ATS scans your resume for relevant keywords and content. Reviewing job postings and identifying the right content will ensure your resume gets noticed.
Missed an interview and want to learn more?
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