Not getting results?

Your resume or cover letter may need attention. You can read up on resumes in the Resume Guide. Below are some common problems and how to address them.

• You aren’t tailoring your materials to each job ad. Show each prospective employer why you’re the perfect person for the job. If your skills or experience aren't an obvious match, you need to connect the dots for the employer.
• Your cover letter or resume is poorly written or has typos. Have a friend or relative who is a good writer look over your materials. A fresh eye may catch errors you missed.
• You have gaps in your employment history. Consider using a functional resume format instead of a chronological one to highlight skills and accomplishments rather than job history.
• You aren’t selling yourself well. You need to communicate what’s special and unique about what you have to offer. If you’re not sure where to start, try taking a skills assessment.
• You aren’t using the right keywords. Many online job banks and company applications use keyword matching to match resumes to job openings. Learn about good strategies to identify keywords and how applicant tracking systems function, to build the most effective resume possible.

Are you getting interviews but not confident you're interviewing well? It may be that:

• You don’t know enough about an employer. Researching the employer is an important step in applying for any job. It’s best to do it before you apply, but you really need do it before an interview. Your research will help you be better prepared for the interview questions.
• Your interviewing skills are falling flat. Review interview tips to prepare for the interview and practice answering common interview questions. It may also help to do a mock interview with a friend, family member, or former colleague.
• You’re sending the wrong message. Even when you’re not speaking, you’re sending a message. How you walk, your posture, eye contact, and how you dress all say something about how you feel and what you are thinking.
• You’re saying negative things about your past employer. An interview is not the time to do this. Unless you can show how you turned a negative situation into a positive one, potential employers will think less of you.
• You’re pricing yourself out of the job. Employers will ask about your salary requirements or your previous salary. If you name a salary that’s too high, they may no longer consider you for the job. Too low, and they may think you're not serious. Visit the Salary Finder to learn about average salaries for your field, and use that information to guide your salary negotiations.

Or it may be the interview process is going well, but you are still not getting offers. Some suggestions:

• Ask for feedback. A common frustration after an interview process is either receiving no notification or just a brief, impersonal email stating another candidate was chosen. Typically, it's appropriate to ask for feedback on how you might improve your interviewing or why you were not selected, although an employer may not provide it.
• End on a positive note. It's always a good practice to leave the interview process on good terms, including writing a thank you after it's finished. Occasionally, a candidate will drop out after receiving an offer and another candidate will be brought back in, or you may be remembered for a future opening.
• Invest your time thoughtfully. Some employers have an extended interview process with multiple interviews and assignments, such as giving a presentation or producing a marketing plan. This can take a great deal of time, so it's worth clarifying that you want the position before investing many hours.