Have you ever applied for a job – either online or in person – and never heard a single word back from the employer? Or, maybe you received an initial response or were called in for an initial interview, but never heard a peep after that?
Not hearing back from a recruiter is a frustrating and all-too-common part of the job search process. Why does it happen? Actually, there are lots of reasons. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain and revealing the most likely reasons you haven’t received a response:
- You’re just not qualified for the job. It’s tough to hear, but sometimes it’s true. For example, if a job description specifies an administrative assistant with 3-5 years of experience, and you’re a recent graduate, it’s unlikely you’ll be called in for an interview. Most job descriptions are written with very specific requirements for good reason. It’s not personal; it’s business.
- Your resume wasn’t properly formatted. You may think that distinctive formatting sets your resume apart, but automated programs don’t care if a document is pretty. If a company’s scanning/parsing software can’t read your resume, you may instantly knock yourself out of contention.
- The interview process is taking longer than expected. If you were one of the first to be interviewed for a job, it may be a long wait for you, as recruiters talk with other candidates.
- The company received 300 resumes, and yours was the 299th in. Sometimes, a job search is a numbers game – and a waiting game. If you apply for a job weeks after it’s been posted, understand that the sheer volume of responses may bog the process down.
- Someone critical to the hiring process is MIA. Hiring usually involves several people within an organization. If a decision maker is out of the office (be it for business travel, vacation, family emergency, or other reasons), the process may be put on hold.
- The recruiter is waiting for a decision from candidate #1 – and you’re candidate #2. It’s possible that, despite interviewing well for the job, an employer has selected another candidate as his first pick – and is waiting for that individual’s decision before contacting you.
- Something within the employer’s company changed unexpectedly. In business, things can change in an instant. Budgets get cut. Internal positions are reorganized. Major clients are lost. Factors like these can suddenly derail a company’s candidate search – and leave you hanging.
Don’t want to wind up in a recruiting “black hole?”
At Wood Personnel, you’ll always know where you stand with us. We communicate regularly with candidates throughout the recruiting and placement process – and we’ll never leave you hanging. If you’re looking for the best jobs in Cool Springs, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville and beyond, look no further.
