Why you’re not getting hired (and what to do about it!)
I get it—the job market is tough right now. And I don’t doubt that you’ve been applying long and hard for as many jobs as you can. But when I hear someone say they’ve submitted hundreds of applications and still haven’t landed a job, it’s time to pause and reassess.
Here’s the hard truth: it’s not about how many jobs you apply for—it’s about how well you apply. When it comes to actually getting hired, quality matters more than quantity. A dozen thoughtful, tailored applications will get you further than a hundred rushed ones.
In order to reassess your job search and start applying well, you need to know where you're getting stuck. Here we’ll dive into your job funnel and diagnose the problem so you can really fix it… and finally get hired!
Where do you find yourself getting hung up in your job search?
1. You Don’t Know What To Apply For
The Problem: Confusion on direction (or burnout)
The Solution: Clarify your core values
I see this a lot. People come to me fed up with their current job and career, but they have no idea what they want to do. The problem here is a lack of clarity (and sometimes just being burnt out). If burnout might be part of the problem for you, taking a vacation or setting up some much-needed work-life boundaries is going to be key to getting out of the cloud of confusion.
Learn more about how to start job searching when you don’t know where to start here.
Beyond that, doing some soul searching, alone or with a coach, will work wonders for finding your direction in life. Clarifying your core values—what’s most important to you—will help make sure your next career move is the right one for you. Core values are like a compass pointing you toward a fulfilling career and a mission you’re made for.
2. You Can’t Apply For The Jobs You Want
The Problem: Your qualifications (or confidence)
The Solution: Learn more and get your hands dirty
If you see jobs you want to apply for but are quickly realizing you don’t fit the expectations of those roles, the problem is either your qualifications or your confidence. Either way, increasing your skills and experience is the key to getting over this hurdle. Getting your hands dirty with more experience helps you both learn and grow in confidence in your own abilities.
Find a way to volunteer or freelance in the field you want to move into. Hands-on work gives you something to put on your resume and helps you learn in real time—increasing your experience and confidence all at once. Look for certification programs or degrees you can start pursuing in that field. Once you begin a program, you can throw it on your resume with your “estimated graduation date” listed.
The next step is to just apply for some of those “stretch” jobs that you’re not quite qualified for. Employers are often more willing to hire a confident go-getter with promise than to wait around for the perfect candidate. Be aware that your salary expectations might not be met while you’re working your way into a new career, but you have to start somewhere!
3. You’re Applying But Not Getting Interviews
The Problem: Your application
The Solution: Fix your resume and cover letters
If you keep applying but are only getting rejections, or worse, you’re getting ghosted, there’s a problem with your application. It’s time to have a few qualified people look at your resume and cover letter: either a career coach, recruiter, or senior-level mentor or friend in the field you’re applying for. If you haven’t been sending cover letters at all, or if you haven’t been writing a specific one for each job, that alone could be your problem!
Check out my resume and cover letter guides for step-by-step help with your application.
Here are some things to ask yourself:
Are my resume and cover letter tailored to each job?
Am I using keywords from the job posting?
Am I highlighting my real results instead of listing job duties?
Is my resume unfriendly, poorly formatted, or hard to read?
4. You’re Interviewing But Not Getting Offers
The Problem: Your interview skills
The Solution: Go in with confidence
If you’ve had 5–10 interviews with no offer, something’s happening in your interviews that’s costing you the job. If you get a rejection email, respond thanking them for their time and asking for any feedback they can give you. Most of the time, they won't respond, but the few times they do could be a helpful piece to the puzzle of what’s going wrong.
A few common interview errors are…
Not seeming interested enough in the job
Not smiling and being friendly
Showing a lack of confidence in your own abilities
These errors are usually caused by insecurity, either in yourself or in your desire for the job. Preparing ahead of time can help. Start by convincing yourself that you’re great for the role—because if you don’t believe it, they sure won’t! And pretend that the job is right for you, even if you’re not sure yet; you can always decide to reject an offer once you have one in hand. Here are some more tips to prepare you for your next interview.
If you’re not getting hired, take a pause and find out where in the process the problem is. Is it your lack of clarity, qualification, or confidence? Or is there a problem with your resume, cover letter, or interview skills? Once you can pinpoint the problem, you can find a solution.
The biggest impediment to job-searching well is FEAR. It’s that anxiety and insecurity that causes frantic, hurried applying and sabotages your success. That’s when we have to pause and remember, we’re a part of a bigger plan, and the God of the universe has a plan for everything—even for you and your career!
You don’t have to keep spinning your wheels, and you don’t have to do it alone. I’d love to help you figure out what’s really holding you back and how to move forward with purpose: Schedule your free consultation today.
