Applying for Lots of Jobs but Getting No Interviews? Check These Things Before Blaming the Market

It is easy to say the market is terrible, and sometimes it is. But if you have sent fifty applications and heard back from two, it is also worth checking the basics, because small fixes can change the result.

Are you applying to the right jobs?

If you meet roughly 70 to 80 per cent of the requirements, apply. If you meet 30 per cent, you will probably be screened out before anyone reads your story. Focus on fewer, better matched roles.

Does your CV mirror the advert?

Many employers use software to sort applications first, and a person then skims them in about a minute. Use the same key words as the job description where they honestly apply. Put the most relevant experience at the top of page one.

Does it show results, not duties?

Compare "responsible for customer queries" with "answered about 60 customer queries a day, with a 95 per cent satisfaction score". The second tells the reader what you actually did.

Is it tidy?

Aim for two pages at most. Use a plain layout, a clear font and consistent dates. Check spelling twice and ask someone else to read it.

Are you following up?

Applying through the front door is fine, but a short message to the hiring manager on LinkedIn, or a contact within the company, can help. Keep it polite, short and specific.

Are you ready for the interview when it comes?

It helps to prepare answers before you get the call, because invitations often come with short notice. Practising the common questions for your role now means you can say yes with confidence rather than panic.

Change one thing at a time and keep track of what you sent. After a few weeks you will see what is working.