5 Common Job Search Issues and How to Fix Them

Difficulties finding a job? You’re not the only one.

Companies can’t seem to fill positions, and it seems like, “Everyone is hiring but no one is getting hired.” 

While right now is the perfect time to try to make a big move and transition careers, getting your foot in the door may seem like a never ending endeavor. 

We’ve heard it all here at Rise, and the good news is: you’re not alone.

We’ve got the scoop on the most common job search issues and a few tips on how you can survive (and even thrive!) your job search during the Great Resignation.

5 Most Common Difficulties Finding a Job

When it comes to difficulties finding a job, we’ve heard it all here at Rise. The silver lining is that you’re not alone in your job search woes. Most of the complaints we hear are woven with similar threads.

The most common difficulties in finding a job include application rejections, radio silence from recruiters, interview issues, Linkedin confusion, and feeling isolated.  

1. Why did my application get rejected?

There are many reasons why your applications keep getting rejected. And the good news is that few of them (read: practically none) are your “fault.” 

HR teams sift through hundreds — thousands sometimes — of potential candidates. Not only do human eyes scan applications, but AI also “reads” these applications, searching for specific keywords to weed out possible “unworthy” candidates.

While these machines relieve HR teams of a lot of manual labor, they also don’t understand nuance. The bottom line? You might be a great candidate that’s not getting callbacks simply because you didn’t include the correct keywords in your resume or application.

Include all skills in your resume and application (even if they’re not advanced or specialty skills). If a skill isn’t on your resume, potential employers will assume you don’t possess it. 

J.T. O’Donnell, founder and CEO of Work It Daily, recommends getting to a human as soon as possible in the process. Until your resume lands in a human’s hands, you’re just another number and you can’t really shine or wow anyone before that. 

2. Why haven’t I heard back from the recruiter?

There are myriad reasons why you’re not hearing back from recruiters. The most probable? They just haven’t gotten to it yet.

The interview process is a delicate dance of calling and emailing, waiting, interviewing, calling and emailing, and waiting some more.

Recruiters and department heads are constantly on the lookout for talented employees. And they’re working around the clock to find them on top of their other daily responsibilities. 

If you haven’t heard back after a round of interviews, don’t fret. It’s probably not you, it’s them.

What you should do? Keep sending out your resume and keep interviewing. Getting hired is a numbers game. 

And if you do get an offer from a company that isn’t your first choice? Let your first choice company know. If they’re excited about you, losing you may be the pep in their step they need to make that final decision. 

3. Why can’t I get past the first interview?

There could be several answers to this question — and the answer that resonates with you might not with another candidate.

The simple answer? Like resumes and applications, first interviews weed out a large number of candidates. That doesn’t make the process less frustrating, though.

Just as there are certain markers AI looks for on resumes, there are markers recruiters need to satisfy, too. You may not check off all the boxes for a recruiter, but it’s extremely difficult to suss out these issues on your own.

If you’re experiencing difficulties finding a job in this stage of the interview process, you may want to hire a consultant to perform a mock interview and offer feedback as to why you’re not getting a second interview.

You may need to show (not tell) those communication skills you’ve touted a bit better. Or, you may need to spend more time showing the recruiter you’ve done your homework. It’s possible you simply need to explain better why you’re the perfect fit for this position. 

4. Why isn’t my Linkedin getting any hits?

Linkedin is supposed to make job searches easier for you. Sadly, this isn’t always the case.

The platform is completely saturated with candidates, and recruiters often consider Linkedin a gold mine of potential talent. At the touch of a button, companies can perform keyword searches for desired skills and open positions. 

You’re not the problem. The sheer number of candidates is. 

Linkedin is a really big pond with lots of fish — all with different backgrounds and somewhat similar skillsets.

The good news is that recruiting employees is a numbers game for many companies. Just as you wouldn’t “swipe right” on only one Hinge user, recruiters aren’t going to try to create relationships with only “the best” candidates on Linkedin. 

If you’re going to apply for a job on this platform, you’ll either need someone who works at the company or be one of the first to apply. 

Our recommendation? Keep your Linkedin profile up to date, but don’t pigeonhole yourself to just the Goliath job search platforms, either. Opt for a few niche platforms, or consider joining an online community like Rise for a more personalized experience. 

5. Is anybody out there? Am I the only one who feels this way?

One of the most common difficulties finding a job (and sadly, the most isolating and guaranteed to derail your efforts) is feeling like you’re the only one who’s not getting hired.

“Am I the only one who feels this way?” is the question we hear time and time again. The answer to this question is a resounding no. 

It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one not getting hired — especially when your feed is full of articles with headlines like, “Why can’t we fill jobs? Openings are at a record high.” 

If companies are so desperate to hire, why can’t you (with all your experience and soft skills) get past the first interview? 

It takes time to get those interviews and even more time to get hired. That’s partially why we created Rise. We wanted a space where women could network, share their skills with actual humans, and find positions that feed their souls (in addition to their bank accounts). 

Need a little support or some career advice? Join Rise’s community of talent and get job search advice and support you need to land your next big position.