Five Reasons You Didn't Get Called for That Interview

Posted by John Krautzel • Nov 17, 2015

You've proofread your cover letter countless times, pored painstakingly over your resume and picked out the perfect power suit to impress a hiring manager. Still, you're not getting called for a job interview. Before you send in another application packet, take a look at five reasons hiring reps may pass you up for a job interview.

1. You're Not Qualified

Read the job posting carefully before you send in your resume. Make sure you meet the minimum qualifications and have the necessary educational experience. If the job listing states that a master's degree is required, you can't skirt by with a bachelor's degree. Don't waste your or the hiring manager's time by applying for positions that don't fit your skills and experience.

2. Your Resume Lacks Keywords

Never use a generic resume; customize every application packet you send. Take the time to read the job posting carefully before you craft your resume. Use keywords directly from the job ad to grab the hiring manager's attention and show that you're worthy of a job interview.

3. Your Resume Is Boring

A resume that's filled with bullet point after bullet point of job responsibilities is not likely to impress any hiring rep. It's not enough to simply list the job description for each of your previous positions. Potential employers want to know what you can offer the organization, and the best way to demonstrate this is by listing your accomplishments. List marketing awards you've won, sales quotas you've exceeded or innovations you've introduced to show the hiring manager that you are a valuable asset to an employer.

4. Your Online Presence

Be aware of how your online presence can affect your job prospects. A hiring rep is unlikely to call you for a job interview if your Facebook account makes you appear like an excessive partyer or an excitable drama queen. Clean up your social media profiles to remove offensive photos, and be selective about the things you post. Create a LinkedIn profile so you can connect with others in your industry and share articles about your profession.

5. You're Not Being Thorough

Lack of attention to detail can often land your resume in the reject pile. Review every application packet before you send it, and be sure that you follow all of the job posting's directions. Address your cover letter to a specific person rather than using a generic salutation; do some research to learn the hiring manager's name if you have to. If you're submitting an electronic application packet, send your attachments to several friends to make sure that the files open properly.

If you've lost track of the number of resumes sent out and you're still not getting called for job interviews, it's time to diagnose the problem. Take a look at these five reasons for being passed up for a job interview so you can correct the issue before you waste any more time.

Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nancy R. • Jan 13, 2016

I am not getting calls due to my age. They don't say that, but the fact is, if you are in your 50's, the hiring pool is very small. I have the skills and experience they seek, its my age that puts my resume in "the pile", but that won't stop me from my continued search.

William T. • Jan 13, 2016

I wasn't getting called for interviews until I took 10 years off my resume. What a difference a decade makes.

April P. • Jan 13, 2016

If the position is with a major organization and/or the position itself is highly-sought after, most likely, the hiring managers and talent acquisition coordinators will only look at resumes that make it past an Automatic Tracking System (ATS). If your resume is lacking keywords and skills required for that position, if your formatting is too complex or if you aren't using standard text, chances are, you won't get a call. My experience : a friend of mine received an interview only after a few days of applying for a sales position with a Fortune 500 company; I'd applied for the same position three times (using a different email) in the previous two months, plus I had nearly five more years of sales experience than they had but somehow, I'd never even received a phone interview, let alone a F2F. Upon receiving their conditional offer of employment, my friend, albeit slightly unprofessional by doing so but concerned nonetheless, mentioned the fact that I'd applied and also, my experience in sales (they disguised it as a question IRT an employee referral program). The hiring manager pulled up my last application and resume while on the phone with my friend and was actually impressed with my resume and experience. Only then was I emailed an assessment (I passed, of course). I had a phone interview that same day and was scheduled for a F2F interview at their corporate office the following day. All in all, I received a conditional offer of employment pending a background check within four days of the hiring manager physically seeing my resume. I start my new position on the 19th! My suggestion would be to compose a new resume using keywords from the job description and reapply. Otherwise, use all the resources you have; I'd even contemplated driving up to the corporate office with a resume in hand. Good luck!

Mark Marlow • Jan 13, 2016

How about because of your age?

JOAN M. • Jan 13, 2016

I have over 15+ years in med/surg nursing, and can't get an interview anywhere. I answer all the ads. Nothing!

Confidential U. • Jan 13, 2016

30 years industry experience, subject matter expert, but I can't get past the HR, gatekeeper to take the position managed by the kid who is one compliance violation away from feders l prison.

Pam B. • Jan 13, 2016

I was having trouble getting employers to call me for interviews. I changed my location, and now I am getting calls weekly. I had an interview and now they want me to interview with the dept. head. I think, changing to a less competitive market will help older experienced workers! Good luck everyone!

SCOTT M. • Jan 13, 2016

Most Human Resource personnel are incompetent and lazy. In this day of email, there's absolutely no reason for companies not to reply. I don't want to hear that they receive hundreds of emails. It really makes their companies look bad.

Elizabeth M. • Jan 13, 2016

Thanks Nancy-I've tried that and have never gotten a response. I think so many companies are afraid of law suits. I have a big feeling it is my age. Someone on the panel has said they too are 50 and have 15-16yeats left. I agree. My longest time I've spent on a job is 14 years. I left do to a severely sick child. That company now thinks I'm too old. We experienced mature workers were brought up on a much better work etiquette than most 20 year olds. Plus we aren't going to get pregnant, take off for a sick child and more. It is actually a shame that companies don't get that. I have 20 years of sales experience and now I'm useless. It is a crying shame literally!

Some companies will not send any response that they aren't considering you. Sometimes you have to wonder did they get your resume packet ok. Has anyone tried calling and asking if they are out for the job? I wonder if hiring managers get pissy if you do that, or does it show you really want the job. It seems to me that it is a no win situation. I just want to know what the panel thinks.

I have asked why I didn't get the job or interview. Not one company would respond. I'm not sure how others get the info but not one hiring mgr, HR, etc will even respond.

Daniel N. • Jan 13, 2016

My comments for Nancy to respond and any body.

There is this problem too. In my last three jobs I lost them because my boss said I am over qualified and has too much experience. What???????? Yes. I lost the jobs and I think my superior officers felt insecure by the amount of exp[experience.

I am an industrial pharmacist and has had a lot of experience with formulation and quality control as my specializations. I also have a certificate in Occupational Health and Safety but can't get a job. Why is that Paula??????

Virginia M. • Jan 13, 2016

Well, speaking of myself, I've tried to apply for jobs every where and for any jobs that I can but I never get that job. Only once I was called for an interview but I did not qualify. So now that I had read this five reasons, I should take a look at my resume because I thought it was all good so now I know thanks.

Frank C. • Jan 13, 2016

In my lifetime, I only worked 2 full-time jobs with my Associate's Degree. In March of 1995, I lost both jobs. Now that I have my Bachelor's Degree, I still cannot find work. I am 49 years old, very much capable of working at least 14 more years, but I am one of the 5% that is still unemployed. My Bachelor's Degree is in Information Technology. And if memory serve, that is suppose to be a very high position in the job markets to fill. I have not been called in for an interview in almost 5 years since I received my Degree. I am always asking myself, "What am I missing?", I dress from success, just as my school told me to, I have skills and qualifications, both hard and soft. But I have also been told that, I am too aggressive", and that throws a red flag up to potential employers. I also think we should ask Employers to remove online job applications, because I feel that they do not look at them. I am still looking, having moved from State to State, to find work, but have not been successful. I have spoken to many people on the phone and in person, and asked them, "How did you get your job, did you have an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree", they tell me, "No, just a diploma". I then tell them that I am Jeslous of them for working. Some of these people are Black, some Hispanic, and even some White, are working. I am wondering why I can still not find jobs, I have a future that needs to be built on so I can live a happy life.

Paula B. • Jan 13, 2016

I had a chat with a recruiter and I was told I had too many jobs. I am a seasoned nurse that has worked in several different industries as well as many contract positions. Over 36 years they add up. Now I'm being told it's being held against me. I'm being told to rewrite my resume as a summary of skills. On it ....

John R. • Jan 13, 2016

I recall when I was young and fully employed, A recruiter said to me the company(Government agency) he was working for instructed them to look for younger workers because young workers can easily be trained and coached? Meaning that older more experienced workers are set in their ways? This stigma has to be altered in order for older experienced workers to be given an even keel in their job search?

Nancy Anderson • Jan 13, 2016

@John thanks for your comments. The truth is that we are having growth right now and that there are many jobs out there that are left unfilled either because those who are qualified are not applying or the position requires a skillset that is not very prevalent. But honestly, a new administration in the white house, whether Republican or Democrat, is not going to change the face of employment. If the GOP takes over, jobs will be lost because many of our current regulations today will be left to expire along with the positions that accompany them; our infrastructures will be left to crumble and our educational system will be worse than what it is today. But, today, jobs are there. Make sure that you are being proactive in your job search. Chase down leads. Follow up on applications. It is tough but not impossible.

John E. • Jan 13, 2016

They'll need experienced leadership; with growth and profit will re-energize the need for us. Of course,mother other side of that coin is when? The reality is, two years for sure. How many of us, especially if we're single, can wait two years.

The reality is, there are not that many jobs out there right now. Nothing is growing and it hasn't been for a long, long time. The only upside is that sooner or later it will change. When we have a new administration, a new ball game which brings out of control growth, experienced people like each of the posters here.

@Valerie thanks for your comment. This is a question that everyone asks. The only way you can find out is to contact the hiring manager and ask why you were not chosen. Try calling or sending an email. Some will respond, others will just blow you off - sorry to say. But the only way you will know for sure is to ask.

Valerie R. • Jan 13, 2016

I go on interviews with positive a positive attitude even go as far to research the company. Why am I not being called back for a second interview.

Wow - thanks for the great comments everyone. In response to some of the comments - yes, age certainly can be a factor but, in my experience, attitude goes a long way in overcoming that age factor. Do companies hire younger workers over more mature workers? Sometimes but it's usually a budgetary reason. They know that we have the experience and skills that they need but they are not willing to pay our asking price or what they "assume" that we will ask for. Many applications get tossed because a candidate has years of experience. So sad but so true. Companies want great workers but don't want to pay for that greatness. So some of you may have to rethink what you need to get by on - salary wise. Let me just say this now - based upon some of the comments - don't sit and wait for the jobs to come to you because you will get tons of sales jobs - especially insurance sales. Be proactive. Get out there and search for the jobs that fit your qualifications. Network with family, friends and former coworkers. Please know that it's not about the number of resumes that you send out but about the quality of those resumes and the quality of the jobs for which you apply. Bottom line is that you can't lie about your age when you apply for a position as they all have ways around that. But, if you got called in for an interview, they already know how old you are. Get in there and sell, sell, sell. That's what it's about - selling yourself to the hiring manager. Ask him the hard questions during the interview. Remember that an interview is two-ways - you are interviewing the company while they are interviewing you. Go into that interview with confidence in yourself. Walk tall. Dress professionally with an up to date style. Smile and show your enthusiasm. Make sure that you have researched the company prior to the interview so that you can ask leading questions of the hiring manager. Don't use phrases during the interview that would date you even more such as "back in the day" or "I remember when.." Always keep eye contact, too. At the end, make sure you ask about next steps and have a business card or some contact for those you met during your interview so that you can send specific hand-written thank you notes immediately following the interview. They honestly are important and do make a difference. Best of luck to everyone.

Pamela J. • Jan 13, 2016

I'm 68 and my friend is 60. We both have awesome credentials bit can't climb over the fact that we're not 35 any more.

Five Reasons You Didn't Get Called for That Interview

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