Why Do I Get Interviews But No Job?

John Krautzel
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There are few things job hunters find more frustrating than spending a lot of time and energy preparing for a job interview and then not getting the job. While even the most personable and motivated interviewees don't land the job every time, if you find that you are getting a lot of interviews but not a single job offer, you may want to make some changes to your job interview strategy.

If you've already landed the job interview, chances are that you are more than qualified for the position you're applying for. However, getting a job offer requires more than just having the right experience. There are likely to be multiple interview candidates with the same or very similar skills as you, so during the interview, you must focus on differentiating yourself from them. Perhaps the easiest and one of the most important ways to do this is by expressing genuine interest in the company and job.

Displaying your enthusiasm for the position you are interviewing for goes a long way when it comes to making the hiring manager remember you and think of you in a positive way. Of course, not everyone expresses excitement easily, and not every position is a dream job worthy of your enthusiasm. Even if this is the case, you still must make an effort to appear enthusiastic.

If the biggest problem is that you're not that thrilled about the job, research into the company, and try to find some positive aspects about the company to focus on during the interview. Perhaps the position gives you the opportunity to supervise employees, or maybe the company donates money to your favorite charity. Allow what attracted you to the job or company to come out naturally during the job interview.

If you are a naturally reserved person who rarely displays enthusiasm, practice looking more relaxed and cheerful when preparing for the interview. It is not necessary to jump up and down and clap your hands, but you can communicate your enthusiasm to the hiring manager by appearing pleasant, confident and open.

Finally, remember to remain professional during the job interview, even while conveying a sense of excitement. Finding the right balance of enthusiasm and professionalism may be a challenge at first, but once you master it, you are sure to find yourself getting an offer as well as an interview.

The number one rule to remember when preparing for a job interview is that showing enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the company to which you are applying can take you a long way. Think of your job interview as a rehearsed performance rather than a formal conversation. Work having a sense of enthusiasm into your interview script, and hiring managers are sure to take notice.

 

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net


 

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  • mariano t.
    mariano t.

    I like the part where it speak on reading up on the company go into detail about certain areas of the company that catches the interviewers attention.

  • Marcy S.
    Marcy S.

    While I agree about having enthusiasm, I am not sure that I would mention being reserved. I too, have been described as being reserved, but I believe it's more of something to be noticed but not brought to someone's attention.

  • Ntiyiso S.
    Ntiyiso S.

    It's important to display both technical savvy and the human side as well as leadership ability

  • JO-MARIE L.
    JO-MARIE L.

    This is good advice. Some acting lessons would be helpful!

  • Frank A.
    Frank A.

    We need to keep in mind that not all interviewers are created equal. What works for one may not work for another. Besides knowing the job, you need to know your audience too.

  • NADINE FABER
    NADINE FABER

    Age is an issue for me. I sound young on the phone, but have had several people change expressions when they saw me and realized I was older that they were. I still am trying and not sure what I can do about it.

  • Rosemary M.
    Rosemary M.

    I totally agree with the comments. I research ed the corporation and was genuine when expressing my interest and enthusiasm.

  • Cory Upmeyer
    Cory Upmeyer

    I agree. I just had an interview and although it is not the perfect place I think of other things like obligations to my family.

  • Francisco G.
    Francisco G.

    Appropiate & realistic which need to be considered accordingly.

  • Dawn Wolfson
    Dawn Wolfson

    I'm going to beg to differ here. Reserved is not a negative. It's just a different personality type. When I say upfront, I don't mean at the very beginning of the interview, but during the interview. Not as a negative at all. I plan on explaining it as a positive, ie I am very calm and rational during a crisis. Just because I'm a level sort of a personality doesn't mean that I'm not interested in the job, I am, or that I won't jump into things during a crisis. PS I have done quite a lot of practicing - good suggestion.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Dawn being reserved is fine but, for an interview, try to be as forthcoming and personable as possible. The interviewer is going to see, right away, that you are reserved and may ask about it. But I think that having to explain - "I'm a very reserved person" - upfront might put the interviewer on the defensive and that's not good for an interview. I would suggest that you practice interviewing with family or friends or, if available, a career counselor at your college. This will help you to relax and take some of the fear of the interview away. It's worth a shot. In my experience you never apologize for anything negative.

  • Laura Luchini
    Laura Luchini

    Good advice.

  • Dawn Wolfson
    Dawn Wolfson

    2 naturally reserved, and I have had that come back to bite me, so my strategy is to explain that up front...

  • Bettie M.
    Bettie M.

    I have done all

  • Theresa B.
    Theresa B.

    Good advice!

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