Sharpened Guide: Why Am I Not Getting Called for Job Interviews?

In recent months, Hidabroot has published several job advertisements for various positions. While navigating through the flood of emails landing in our inbox due to these ads, a sad truth was revealed: behind every email is a person full of hope, and many of these individuals will never be called for a job interview if they continue to send applications and resumes like the ones sent to us.

Being called for a job interview is not a guarantee of employment, of course, but it is an advanced step in the search for a source of income. Unfortunately, even if you have a radiant personality and you are excellent at selling yourself verbally, you will never reach this stage if you do not successfully pass the initial stage: sending an email that makes the job advertiser want to learn more about you.

Of course, it could be that you are doing everything right and yet receive no response. You might tell yourself that the job advertisers you approach are simply chauvinists (who don’t respond because you are a woman) or only want worker-slaves (who don’t respond because you have children) or want to hire someone entry-level at minimum wage (who don’t respond because you have too much experience). But before you blame the employers, the government, and your bad luck – read through the list below carefully and ensure you are not making one of the mistakes that would cause a potential employer to prefer working overtime themselves rather than inviting you for an interview.

1. A 'Want me? Come find me' style email. A surprising number of applicants sent me an email containing a single line or two. A typical example: 'I am suitable for the position, contact me at number...'. These potential candidates did not bother to include a resume, an explanation of why they think they are suitable, or any other relevant detail. Sometimes they didn't even bother to include punctuation. So no, it's likely that no one will contact you based on such a vague application.

2. An email that signals: 'I didn't really read the job requirements'. You might have extensive experience in several fields, but if the advertised position is in writing, there is no point in sending a long and detailed resume about your extensive experience in computers and music teaching. It's simply not relevant, and doesn’t provide the recruiter any information about your writing skills. What this email does convey is that you are just shooting blindly in all directions, without real discretion.

3. 'I have tons of experience on my private Facebook page and my blog on Blogger!'. When an ad asks you to detail your experience in the field, it means relevant work experience. An office looking for a graphic designer is not interested in the stunning presentations you make for every family birthday, and an employer seeking an experienced writer is not impressed by your musings on Facebook. Yes, you might be a rare talent that has remained hidden, sorry, on Facebook. In that case, instead of bothering to describe your exploits on the blog, social media, or at your aunt’s parties, attach quality materials to the email and let them speak for themselves. Just bear in mind that an employer's criterion for 'excellent' differs from that of Aunt Bella.

4. 'I know nothing in the field, but I learn quickly'. When an employer is willing to dedicate long hours to train an employee starting from scratch, it’s clearly stated in the ad. Key phrases in such cases are: 'No experience necessary' or 'Training provided by the company'. Conversely, when an employer states they are looking for someone with experience in specific areas, sending a cover letter and resume that explicitly or implicitly says that every connection between you and the field boils down to: 'I really love your products' or 'Computers have always fascinated me' will not get you anywhere. An attraction to the field is important, but if you are not truly familiar with the type of work and have no experience, it’s simply not enough. No, even stating that you learn quickly and have excellent interpersonal skills won’t save the situation. Want to work in computers/writing/design? Start learning the field (not necessarily formally) - and gain experience or create work that will pave the way forward for you.

5. 'I have a great cousin who would be perfect for you'. Israel is full of good people looking for a job not for themselves but for family members and friends. There’s nothing wrong with forwarding someone else’s resume, if there is truly a good match between the job requirements and the resume – and if you know that the family member/friend is indeed interested in a new job. On the other hand, sending emails to an employer about a 'very smart' cousin or a 'really talented' friend and asking for a job for them really won’t help those whose welfare you care about.

The world is full of smart cousins and talented friends: If you don’t have relevant resumes or at least an impressive list of dry facts ('she worked at- . for Y years... she has a degree in...') it’s just a waste of your time and the other party’s. And one last tip: there’s really no need to mention that your dear aunt bakes something-something cakes.

Good luck!