Why didn't I get an interview??

 Ever been through this scenario... you see a job posting... it fits you perfectly... your skills...your career aspirations... the company sounds great! You submit your resume, follow the instructions perfectly, and no call. Ever wonder why this happens?

It is not so secret that recruiters and hiring managers spend about 30 seconds reviewing your resume before deciding to interview or reject you as a candidate. Here are a few things that could be the culprit:

1. Not having the basic requirements of the job. Most job descriptions have requirements and then they have preferred knowledge and skills. If the position provides requirements and you do not come close to meeting those qualifications, you most likely won't get a response. 

2. Spelling & grammar errors. Yes, this is still a thing. if you are applying for a job that pertains to anything administrative, requires written communication, or if you see "detail-oriented", you need to check your grammar and spelling. I don't mean just the spell check in Word. You need to read through your resume and maybe have another set of eyes look at it to ensure it makes sense and no elementary errors exist. 

3. Not providing enough detail on your resume. Remember, we spend 30 seconds skimming your resume to see if you warrant consideration. If you list vague descriptions of your positions or no description, we are moving on. We want specific details. Did you accomplish anything in your previous roles? What did the position entail? A Mechanical Design Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Designer, etc. does not mean the same in every organization. What did you do?

4. Providing too much detail on your resume. Although it does brighten up a Recruiter's day when we get to read about your interests. I'm happy you kayak, enjoy the arts, run marathons, play video games, love to dance, etc. This makes you human but at the moment of the resume, you are just a piece of paper. If you are a mechanical engineer, we like to see that you enjoy working on cars or other motorized things. It shows you have a hands on knowledge as well. If it does not pertain to the job, don't put it on there. On the other hand, add your organizations and volunteer work. That does help.

Although the job hunt can be frustrating, you can help yourself remove a few obstacles. I have been on both sides and have made many mistakes as an applicant. I hope these tips help you get the job you desire.