Question
I am graduating from Pacific Lutheran University this May and I have been looking to begin my career soon afterwords. I have been applying to large companies such as Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Boeing, Raytheon, etc. and haven't gotten any results. I have an outstanding resume, I am toward the top of my class, and I know that I would be a great asset to any company. Why can I not even get an interview? This is supposed to be the year of all years for hiring Business graduates but I can't believe that when I haven't been offered an interview yet. What would you suggest I do to get an invite for an interview?
I have joined the AMA website, Jobster.com, careerbuilder.com, monster.com, etc. I have spoken directly to the HR departments of the companies to which I have applied, and I have tried to hunt down the actual hiring managers for the individual jobs. What else can I do?
Answer
I’ve gotten a lot of questions very similar to this one: “I have great experience and a strong resume, I’m taking all the right steps, but I’m not even getting an interview.” While the decisions of hiring managers and HR departments may be mysterious at times, if you are not even getting to the interview stage, there are several possible reasons.
- Poorly organized resume and generic or unprofessional cover letter. If your resume is set-up to be easily parsed or searched by automated application systems (by featuring appropriate keywords, for example), or does not represent your qualifications in a straightforward and concise manner, you will be passed over. Make sure that your resume can be understood by machines as well as people and, if necessary, have it reviewed by a professional career counselor or resume specialist.
- Competition Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, are top tier companies that attract the best and the brightest. You may be very bright and, in fact, may be able to do the job you are applying for without a problem. However, if your resume is being considered alongside those from people who have attended Top 20 schools or who already have experience with Fortune 100 companies, then they will get the interviews and you may not. Of course, not everyone can choose exactly where they go to school or find work. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to work your way up to your dream job. Consider the type of experience that will be impressive to your employer of choice and then figure out how you might gain that experience by working at companies that are a step or two below your target company.
- Not qualified? Of course, you may be applying for jobs that you are not actually qualified to do. Sometimes there is a disconnect between our self-perception and the reality of the situation. Conducting an effective job search means frankly assessing our experience and capabilities and setting realistic, attainable goals for ourselves.
Matthew T. Grant, PhD , Aquent