8 Reasons You’re Not Getting the Job—And How to Fix Them
- Alex Khamis
- Aug 14, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 1
As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, I see first hand the mistakes job seekers make day in and day out. No matter how experienced the individual, they all seem to fall into the same traps.
If you’re sending out resume after resume and hearing crickets, you’re not alone. The good news is that if you make small yet practical changes to how you approach your job search, you can reap big results.
Here are the eight most common reasons you’re not getting the job—and how to fix them.
1. The “Spray and Pray” Approach
Let’s start with the biggest culprit: using the same resume to apply for dozens (or hundreds) of jobs. This is what I call the “spray and pray” approach—hit as many targets as you can, as fast as you can, and hope something sticks.
I get it. Applying for jobs is exhausting. But here’s the reality: recruiters can spot a generic resume from a mile away. When you send out 100 applications with the same, untailored resume, you’re banking on volume over quality. And that rarely works.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: If you apply to five jobs with a targeted resume, you might get 2–3 responses—a 40–60% response rate. But if you apply to 100 jobs with the same resume, you might get five replies. That’s a 5% response rate. See the difference?
How to Fix It:
Pick jobs you actually want.
Tweak your resume for each one—use keywords from the job posting, highlight what they’re looking for, and make sure your top skills are front and center.
Use tools like Jobscan to compare your resume to the job description.
Quick Win: Before applying, change your summary and the first three bullet points of your most recent job to match the top priorities in the job ad. It takes 10 minutes, and you’ll stand out right away.
Real Example: I worked with a client who’d sent out 60 generic applications with zero interviews. We rewrote his resume for a specific job—he got a call back within 48 hours.
2. Not Researching the Company
This one’s surprisingly common, even among executives. I once read a LinkedIn post from a VP-level candidate who was asked if she knew the CEO’s name in an interview. She didn’t. She admitted later that she’d lost the opportunity then and there. There were other factors, but this one stuck with her.
Why does this matter? Because research sets you apart. If you’re one of five people in the interview and you’re the only one who’s read the company’s latest news or knows their values, you’re automatically a step ahead.
What to Research:
The industry they’re in
What products or services they offer
Their reputation (check the news or Glassdoor)
Current projects, big wins, or public initiatives
The names of C-level executives
How to Use It: Drop your research into your interview answers and cover letter. For example:“I saw you recently launched an ESG initiative. I’ve led similar projects and would love to help your team build on that momentum.”
Quick Win: Spend 10 minutes on their website and LinkedIn. Write down three facts about the company and use one in your next conversation.
3. Failing to Showcase Your Successes
Hiring managers want to know what you’ve done—not just what you were responsible for. Most resumes and interviews are full of vague statements like, “Responsible for increasing efficiency,” or, “Led projects to successful completion.” That’s nice, but it doesn’t tell anyone what you actually achieved.
What Works:
Use specifics and numbers whenever possible
Show how your work made a difference
Templates:
“Increased [X metric] by [Y]% by [doing Z].”
“Reduced costs by $X through [specific action].”
Action Step: Take two bullet points on your resume and make them more specific. Example:Before: “Improved department processes.”After: “Reduced average invoice processing time by 30% (from 10 days to 7 days) by introducing digital approval workflows.”
In Interviews: Don’t just say, “I improved efficiency.” Say, “I reduced onboarding time by 25% by creating a digital checklist for new hires. This meant new team members could contribute a week sooner, and we hit our targets every quarter.”
4. Weak Interview Preparation
You’d be amazed how many people “wing it” in interviews, especially if they’ve gotten this far a few times before. The problem? Interviewers can always tell.
Why Prep Matters:
Good answers require good stories.
The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is your friend.
Action Step: List three professional achievements and practice turning them into STAR stories. For example:
Situation: What was the context?
Task: What was your responsibility?
Action: What did you do?
Result: What happened?
Common Questions to Practice:
“Tell me about yourself.”
“Describe a time you faced a challenge at work.”
“What’s your greatest achievement?”
Quick Win: Record yourself answering, “Tell me about yourself,” on your phone. Play it back. Do you sound clear, concise, and confident?
Real Example: I coached a client who’d flopped several interviews because he rambled. After practicing STAR stories and tightening up his answers, he landed two offers within a month.
5. Ignoring Networking
A lot of people hate networking. (“I don’t have a network” or “I’m too introverted” are common excuses.) But here’s the truth: around 80% of jobs are filled through connections, not job boards.
Why Networking Works:
Many jobs never get posted publicly
Referrals get your resume seen by decision-makers
You learn about company culture before you’re in too deep
How to Get Started:
Reach out to old colleagues or classmates on LinkedIn
Attend an industry webinar or local event
Join a relevant LinkedIn or Facebook group
Ask for informational interviews (these are just casual chats, not “asking for a job”)
Action Step: This week, send two messages to people in your field—just to reconnect or ask for advice.
Quick Win: Leave a thoughtful comment on three LinkedIn posts from people at companies you’re interested in. You’ll be surprised who notices.
Real Example: One client of mine was stuck for months. She started commenting on LinkedIn posts from managers at her target company. Within two weeks, she got a DM and eventually an interview.
6. Not Following Up
Not following up after interviews or applications is one of the simplest mistakes you can make. It’s also one of the easiest to fix.
Why It Matters:
Shows initiative and interest
Keeps you top-of-mind
Sometimes, the person who follows up gets the offer (I’ve seen this happen more than once)
How to Do It:
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview
Follow up on applications a week after applying
Templates:
Thank you email: “Thank you for the opportunity to interview for [role]. I enjoyed learning about your team and am excited about the chance to contribute.”
Follow-up message: “I wanted to follow up on my application for [role]. I’m very interested in the opportunity and would be happy to provide any additional information.”
Quick Win: Set calendar reminders to follow up after every interview and application.
7. Applying to Roles You’re Not Qualified For
Applying for roles that are way out of your reach is a fast track to burnout. It’s important to stretch yourself, but you’ll have better luck focusing on roles where you meet at least 70–80% of the requirements.
Why It’s a Problem:
Wastes time and energy
Leads to more rejections (which hurts your motivation)
Can hurt your reputation with recruiters if you repeatedly apply to unsuitable jobs
What to Do Instead:
Look for jobs where your experience matches most (but not necessarily all) of the qualifications
Emphasize transferable skills—things you’ve done in other industries or roles that relate to the job you want
Action Step: Each week, pick one “safe” job (where you’re a strong fit) and one “stretch” job (where you meet most requirements and are genuinely interested).
Real Example: A client of mine wanted to break into tech sales after working retail. She focused on jobs asking for customer service and relationship-building skills, and highlighted these on her resume. She landed her first interview after just three targeted applications.
8. Neglecting Your Online Presence
In 2024, your online presence is part of your application—whether you like it or not. Recruiters will Google you. Make sure what they find helps your case, not hurts it.
Checklist:
LinkedIn is up-to-date, with a professional photo, clear headline, and keywords that match your field
No red-flag content on public social media (double-check your privacy settings)
You have a few recommendations or endorsements on LinkedIn
Action Step: Google yourself. What comes up? Update your LinkedIn headline and summary to match the jobs you’re applying for.
Quick Win: Ask one former colleague or manager for a quick LinkedIn recommendation this week. It takes five minutes, and social proof goes a long way.
Next Steps
Job searching can feel like a grind, but small changes can make a massive difference. Focus on quality over quantity. Research your target companies. Show what you’ve actually achieved. Prepare for interviews, nurture your network, and don’t let simple things—like forgetting to follow up—cost you opportunities. Make sure your online presence tells your story, not someone else’s.
Pick one of these eight mistakes to fix this week. If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself: where am I falling short? Which mistake have I made more than once?
Remember, you’re not alone. Everyone makes mistakes in their job search. The important thing is learning from them and making small, consistent changes. Those add up, and before you know it, you’ll be getting more interviews, better offers, and more control over your career.
What’s the most frustrating part of your job search? Which mistake do you see most often? Drop a comment or send me a message—I read every one.
Bonus: Quick Answers to Common Questions
Do I really need a cover letter? Not always, but if the posting asks for one or it’s a competitive job, a tailored cover letter can be the thing that gets you noticed.
Should I apply if I don’t meet every single requirement? Yes—if you match about 70–80%. Use your cover letter to explain how your background still makes you a strong fit.
Author
Alex Khamis is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and Managing Partner at Final Draft Resumes and Resumatic.
He has over six years of experience helping job seekers create compelling career narratives on top of 12 years of business and technical communications experience in the engineering industry.
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