Why you are not getting called for that job interview

By Njambie Mungai

After my graduation, I discovered the biggest challenge lay in actually finding a job that related, however remotely, to my specialty. So I spent a lot of time researching online on how to have a great CV and how to craft a cover letter that will capture the attention of the company you are applying to.

Fast forward to now that I have found myself on the receiving end of job applications. Now, all the advice I found on the Internet has began to make sense.... only thing missing is they did not include the part where I will want to shake some sense into the people behind the applications.

I mean sure, the actual job interview is probably the most important part of a job application process but it is the CV and cover letter that will get you through those doors. So I thought I might give some reasons as to why you will not get called for that job interview. The reason why your application will quickly find its way to a bin or wont even be read. But first things first, allow me to explain the meaning and purpose of the CV and cover letter.

The CV or Curriculum Vitae is the document that highlights your academic background, employment history, accolades, projects and all other relevant information. It generally averages 2 pages or more. The cover letter on the other hand is a brief document, usually 3-5 paragraphs long, which introduces the applicant to the company. While the CV is usually an attachment to an email, the cover letter is used as the body of the email.

1.You will not get called for that job interview if you do not have a cover letter.

Imagine my horror when I open an email and the only text in the body of the email is "Please find my CV attached. Thanks for your consideration". Reality check, I will not bother opening the attachment. I have hundreds of applications and I will not bother checking on someone who lacks the courtesy to introduce themselves.

2. You will not get called for that job interview if you are using a template cover letter.

 Cover letters are supposed to be tailor made to fit a specific job application. You cannot use the same cover letter addressed to 10 different job applications and expect the company not to notice. Your success rate will increase if you take the time..yes it might take hours...to craft your cover letter just right.

3. You will not get called for that job interview if your CV and cover letter is laced with grammatical errors.

 You do not have to have mastered the Merriam Webster dictionary or use big words. But good sentence structure and being able to express yourself in words is important. Broken English in your application is a sure way of ensuring that you never get called for that job interview.

4. You will not get called for that job interview if your skills do not closely fit the specifications given.

While it is great to send out as many job applications, it is a waste of time to send applications to vacancies that you are not qualified for. Seeing a job vacancy that clearly wants a master's degree then going to confidently apply with your bachelor's degree is a waste of time. Focus your energies on applying for jobs that require the skills you currently possess.

5. You will not get called for that job interview if you have nothing to offer the company.

Phrases like "The company will shape my future", "I would like the experience" etc are clichés that really make the eyes sore. Companies want to see "My proven track record is bound to take the company to greater heights", "I feel that my vast knowledge in this field will help this company grow". Companies are selfish, they do not want to know what you want, they want to know how you can help them get what they want. Cruel I know, but that's life.

6. You will not get called for that job interview if you are applying for an entry-level job with little to no experience yet you have a 5 page CV.

When you lack experience, you should not have such a long CV. It translates to a whole lot of irrelevant information will bore the one reading you CV. No one will look down on you for having a short CV if you have little or no experience. But annoying the reader with tales that are not relevant will most probably cost you that job interview.

7. You will not get called for that job interview if you have strange email addresses.

It might have seemed cool at the time to get "[email protected]" or "[email protected]" as an email address but now, it will cost you that interview. Using such email addresses does not portray professionalism, which is what the company is looking for.

8. You will not get called for that job interview if you do not follow instructions. When a job advert clearly states that you should send your application by snail mail or drop your application at the company offices, and you decide that snail mail is so 1970 so you send it as an email. That shows that you cannot follow simple, no matter how painful, instructions. It is not a good look on you and it might cost you that interview.

9. You will not get called for that job interview if the company finds someone else.

Come on, lets face it, sometimes you will try your best at your job application but the company decides that someone else fits the bill. But do not despair, knowing you gave it your all is reason enough for you to move on and apply for another vacancy. The most important thing is to get back up and never give up.

In this highly competitive field of job hunting, just sending your CV is not enough. You will have to step it up and make sure you do everything in your power to give the companies a reason to call you in for that interview. I also hope to be seeing a change in the mails I get in my inbox.

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Njambie Mungai runs her blog at  http://njambiemungai.com/wordpress/