Charles asked us on our blog:
“I have been unemployed since September of this year and have been on 10 interviews since starting to use Snagajob. Somewhere between the resume, interview and follow up I am missing or doing something wrong and I just can't figure it out.”
Great question Charles! If you’re making it to interviews, the good news is you’ve probably got the application process down – applying to the right jobs, submitting and following up on job applications to make a great impression on the hiring manager.
That said, there may be something in your interviews that’s holding you back.
Interview basics
The first thing you should do is take a look back at your interviews and be sure you arrived on time and were dressed appropriately. While this seems small, these details are important and an employer will probably remember you if you show up in a dirty sweatshirt and ripped jeans.
Interview questions
If all of that looks good, think about how you answered the actual interview questions themselves. It’s important to practice how you answer these questions, as there’s definitely a wrong way and a right way to answer questions. Not sure if you’ve been answering acceptably? Check out all of our videos where we break down some of the most common job interview questions down for you.
Interview practice
While interviews can be pretty scary, the more you do, the better prepared you will be. We highly recommend doing mock interviews with friends and family members. Maybe you don’t realize it, but you might constantly bite your nails during interviews. Or your handshake needs some work. Or maybe you subconsciously look really bored as you listen. It’s better to have someone you trust tell you these things instead of an employer!
I know that interviewing over and over can get pretty frustrating, but your best bet is look back to see why you may not be getting hired and then get back in the game. We believe in you.
Do you have any other tips for Charles? Leave them below!
About Kim Costa
I think it should be TOTALLY against the law to refuse and interview or a handwriiten application from someone who walks in to an establishment or company. NOT everyone has a computor or even access to one. Then, consider having to rely on public transportation. I unfortunetly was “Wrongfully Terminated” from a job a absolutely loved, by crooked management. They have since been “found out” and fired, Inspite of my repeated calls and visits to this company, meeting with the new manager and putting my best foot foward, I cant seem to get my job back. Everyone insists on “Go on line” and”fill out an app….” ya, sure! right!. THE THING THAT HURTS THE MOST is, I have over 30YEARS experience in the Food Service business and believe I have SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much to offer, Its such a shame that I cant just walk into a place, fill out an app, talk to management, and get hired on the spot! ( I have a reputation for that) what a shame, a company and myself are both missing out. Quite honestly? It down-right Sucks! How many petitions and or signatures would it take to pass a law that prevents companys from refusing to accept a walk-in/handwritten application??? Maybe somebody can tell me/help me. Frustrated in So. Cal
Have you considered looking over what you have written/typed rather it’s on here or for an application? You have some words that are misspelled and their are words that you didn’t put spaces inbetween them that needed a space. That might be one reason why your not hearing back from compinies. “on line” is suppose to be, on-line. That’s just one thing that I am going to point out. Secondly, it’s the world that we live in now that a lot of things, including applying for jobs, is done on-line. You might have 30 years of experience is something, doesn’t always mean that you will be guaranteed the job you are applying to. Small things, like spelling and grammer plays a big role in things. Sorry to burst your bubble.
There are many mistakes in your answer!!!
Exactly. Both the question and response are hot messes of misspellings, grammatical errors, misplaced commas, improper capitalization and conjugation… For instance, the proper use of “Small things, like spelling and grammar plays a big role in things,” is “Small things, like spelling and grammar, [appositive] play [plural, as the subject is 'things'] a big role…” These are probably the primary reasons for your lack of success. Not that I’m hating, but you should be aware, and if you’re unsure, have someone who knows what they’re doing edit and proofread your submissions.
I sincerely hope that you two above are being silly, because if you are not… you really need to go back to school and learn spelling and grammar check … you both have serious problems!.. There, they’re (they are), their … you, you're (you are), your. Please make sure you use the right one!
Not "what you have written/typed ratherit's on here or for an application?"
It's "what you have written/typed on here" - you may have just been typing fast, but need to check your spelling/grammar.
Not …”their are words that you didn't put spaces inbetween them that needed a space”
It's “there are words that you did not put a space in between, that needed a space.”
Not "why your not hearing back"
It's "why you're not hearing back"
... compinies = companies
... grammer = grammar
Sorry to bust your bubble!! - slow down your typing, check spelling and grammar, before posting. Too much time on Facebook, twitter, texting, and people forget what proper writing is.... Or type up what you want to say on word, check it over first, then post!!
I love your response. Your observations are correct, and address the issues we face today. (“Too much time on Facebook, twitter, texting, and people forget what proper writing is.”) Those two sound completely uneducated and if this is how they approach an employer, of course they’re not getting hired. I had a friend, an older lady who was just learning about computers. When she sent e-mails to people, she wrote in all caps. She did it primarily because of her own eyesight; she thought if she wrote in all caps, it would be easier for everyone to read. I was unaware of the situation. Finally one day, a recruiter was kind enough to tell her that the caps represented “shouting” and was considered impolite. She apologized and explained why she had written that way and luckily, the recruiter gave her a chance. It proved to be mutually rewarding for both, but so many opportunities were lost, just because of her e-mail etiquette.
I hope everyone whose reading your post, really takes heed!
I didn’t have a computer for over a year and use public buses to get around as well. I would go to my local libraries every day. They had public computers to use plus certain libraries had computer strictly for job searches. If you tell the librarians that you need more time on the computer to complete applications they been accommodating to me and others. I must admit filling out the applications were very time consuming and wasn’t able to get them done in the 1 hour allotment of time.
I hear your frustration. And I agree with you. I see people in my area (Philadelphia) walking around with resumes and I don’t think they’re going to get anywhere. Unfortunately, the on-line stuff is no picnic either. The key seems to be building a LinkedIn community, finding someone in the company that you want to work in, and getting that person to deliver your resume to HR. Supposedly more and more companies give monetary rewards to their employees who help them find and hire another employee. Hope this helps.
But how did you post this? No point in all your complaining you just proved yourself a lair. You have access somehow to a computer if your on this WEBSITE. No offense but you must just not like using them. My dad doesn’t either but he also makes sure to not lie. If you can get online an complain about not being able to get online your doing something seriously wrong and everyone who agrees is not really thinking. The should have handout applications for people who don’t have access to a computer and I’m sorry but your not one of them. You got on here somehow might as well go to a restaurants homepage and fill out an app its as easy as complaining on here
I completely agree. If I were a company I’d want to meet and talk with the person that I might consider hiring. You can learn a lot about a person doing this however it seems if we want a job the only way to get it is the online process. I haven’t had much success either. Good luck to you.
I type fast as well and make mistakes..spelling, grammar….etc. But how are any of these responses helping Charles? They are not. Btw. It is “Liar”. Anyways..I could point out more mistakes just from reading this far into the comments but that’s pointless and insulting. People make typos, it’s part of life especially if you are typing on a touch screen phone. It does not matter where she accesses the internet, but that she is. Maybe it;s her resume or her location that just isn’t hiring. Can we please stay on topic? I think it might be his interviewing techniques and I can say that from experience. I’ve been in Charles’ position beforehand and it truly is very frustrating….but please can we decline the insults? Lets try to help each other instead of insulting. That gets us nowhere.
I agree with you. I worked for a company for 24 years and I was let go due to lack of grant money. It was hard to get adjusted to doing the job applications on-line. Sometimes I can not get the computer system to do what I want it to and I do a paper application. I would suggest that you go to One Stop Program with Unemployment of Maryland and take a class on how to fill out job applications on-line.
I agree wholeheartedly! The only way I can even check my email is to go to a public library or other public place that has computers. Let alone job hunt and apply to jobs.
Every plane should accept handwritten paper apps and walk in, in person drop offs.
A lot of places dont even want you valid for follow ups anymore.
don’t forget there r a hundred or five hundred apps for ths job.ths stupid economy is so f d up now adys. since th bush-it era,and thn obamanation is intensifying it by not givg a damn except for his own as.pardon my grammar,and punctuations if any.
I’m not posting to be mean but you need to hear this. Your post shows why you are not getting a job. Demanding an on-the-spot interview and being offended you don’t get one is not showing your potential employer you respect their time. You have no idea what is on their plate and walking in with an entitled attitude is the exact thing they do not want in a potential employee. The access to the computer is another “red flag”. Every public library has free access to computers and the internet. The fact that you are not willing to go the extra mile to obtain a job speaks volumes.
Again, I am not saying this to be mean but tough love is necessary to grow. Interview are all about perception and if act like the employer owes you something even before you get the job they are not going to hire you. They want employees that are going to go above and beyond to make their lives easier.
I totally agree with Angela…I feel the same way. talking to me seeing me in person,
I feel would give me a much better chance at landing a good job…I just don’t get it!!
It’s a miracle! You posted on the internet without access to a computer! You have amazing talents.
lololol you’re so funny dick trickle. dang! she did post that on the internet huh??? aha!
Really!! Think about it instead of being a jerk.
what should I say when they ask me why did i Leave my last job besides attending school???
Hi Melissa! Leaving for school is a perfectly fine answer. You can just say that you were working there temporarily until school started and you needed to leave. There’s nothing wrong with that. Good luck!
I think your video’s are very helpful thru youtube. My question is that with everything being social media no ones wants to even give a physical application, or the websites hasnt updated the inventory of jobs and many are no longer available. You go online to job search and all you do is get a run around about going back to school. I am doing follow ups on all my applications, but wonder if there is something I am doing wrong, or just not doing. Any helpful ideas?
I have been looking for a job for about 3 to 4 months now and about 12 interviews by now…the last job I lost was not even my fault… and now i feel incredibly frustrated with the job search and not getting anywhere…i don’t know what else to do.
Amen!!! I could not of said it better Angela.
A very well written post Kim and great tips for Charles. I would like to add here is that nowadays recruiters often look for soft skills as well apart from technical abilities in candidates. One should always look confident with a smiling face, even if they are feeling nervous. That helps a lot.
I get so much conflicting information as to whether or not companies prefer a hand-written application as opposed to an electronic one. I, for one, would prefer the option to put a name to a face that a paper application offers. I’m sure companies are inundated with electronic applications on a daily basis and I would think that a handwritten application that someone took the time to pick up, fill out, and return would stand out among the thousands of electronic applications coming through.
Erin – why do you assume people filling online applications did not take time on it or did not put thought into it? Also, its absurd to assume hiring managers have the time or inclination to analyse people’s bad handwriting to understand and read applications.
Hello Kim;
Thank you, these videos are mind openers and are great help when it comes to sharing what you mean to say when asked.
Please consider this suggestion: “How is your Memory”, or ” Aren’t you too old for this job.”
I am, not 20 or retired and I have my wits about me.
I have had several interviews for customer service and years of experience in Finance, Banking and Sales, and your site has given me the best ideas for many of those dreaded questions in one place.
Please help with the fore-mentioned questions.
Best Regards;
R
I applied for a telephonic Nurse position yesterday. with a recruiter in the city where I live. I was so excited about the Nursing Job. Today he called to tell me the company said I applied Last year. I told him I applied for another job at the company. Why would a application to a company last year have any baring on todays application/
I applied for a telephonic Nurse position yesterday. with a recruiter in the city where I live. I was so excited about the Nursing Job. Today he called to tell me the company said I applied Last year. I told him I applied for another job at the company. Why would this matter?
I’ve got a better one than that! I applied for a pharmacy tech position at Walgreens. The manager told me I had already been drug tested. I asked him how since I had never applied for a job until that day. I would remember if I had been drug tested. Then after they went to the trouble to check my background and I actually submitted a drug test which I know I passed on both accounts, they never called me back about starting work. Talk about inefficient and lame. It was the most unprofessional show of management I have ever seen.
My main issue is that from 1996-2004 while I was married, after I finished veterinary school, I was forced into becoming the family hospice caregiver. After I lost my husband in 04, I hadn’t worked in so long for pay I had to live with my father as his caregiver until his death in 2010. Now I’m trying to start my life over, but don’t have a decent enough job history for any employers in my field, or any other fields to trust me with even an entry level position. I’ve managed a few part-time positions, but they don’t last long for various reasons. I haven’t had an interview in almost 2 months, and if I don’t get hired somewhere soon, I may lose my new home.
Hearing lots of frustration. I am so sorry Angela about your job loss and can empathize as your situation happened to me many years ago. II bounced back out of anger, I guess. Where I currently work, there are only computerized applications to log into but there is a reason: It is your first interview! We want to see how successfully you navigate your way through the computer process because most of the equipment you will need to do your job is some sort of computer-based technology. If I see your final “computerized” application, you just passed your first “interview”! We now know we won’t have to spend time on basic computer training for you to help run our restaurant, put in touch-screen orders, order more food inventory, or use the commercial ovens. Please reconsider some computer training to be relevant in today’s workforce. Be successful! Take charge of your tomorrow!
I know it’s frustrating. I have been unemployed for 3 and a half years with more than fifteen years experience of customer service and medical terminolgy. I have gone on countless interviews. I havn’t worked due to health reasons. I’m a cancer survivor and also was terminated from my last job because I decided to chose my son who was having an asthma attack before my job and getting into another hospital is like getting into Fort Knox. All I say is we have to keep our chin up and keep pushing forward. I have moment of derpession over this very moment and say what am I doing wrong. I guess it’s just a matter of taking more classes.
talk to yourself almost the whole duration, but just lil mutters as you turn your head (like your split personality). Dont shower use those pheromones to advantage especially on the ladies. Ask them if its just you or is it very cold, even if its 80 degrees. Tell them you need a job to make money to save timmy who keeps calling but the whale is fast and the monster comes out every night. rub clam oil on your hands and neck before any serious interview and try to make your rolls from your neck flop over each other. sex appeal baby
Consider the possibility of ageism. I am 54 years old. I lost my job last year. I worked for the company for 10 years, never missed a day of work and covered for the younger generation that always seemed to lay out of work on Friday and Monday. So much for job loyalty. I’ve sent out over 35 job applications online. I took a Human Resource Dev. course at the Employment Sec. Commission office, supposedly taught by an expert HRD person who also teaches at the local community college. She looked over my resume, found no mistakes and said I was using the correct format for today’s technology. Of course my resume was correct. I took a day and spent it in the Jobs Office at the community college where this lady teaches. They tutored me in electronic resumes and Applicant Tracking Systems. I have had 10 interviews and keep getting the same response, “That they have moved on to more qualified applicants.” One job I applied for, I got the same old excuse. Three months later, I see the job listed again at the Employment Security Commission. Their person who was more qualified than I am quit after three months. Serves them right! If that’s the case, these employers are not referring to more qualified as “years of experience, a BS Degree in the field, National Certification in the Field, and references.” I think they are hiring younger people with less qualifications so they can pay them less. There is a reason the application asks you for your salary history. If they see that you have been bringing in $40 per hour and they are only willing to pay you $12 per hour with no benefits, they will not hire you. I just hope all these young females they are hiring end up in the motherly way after one month of employment and have to miss a lot of work, or they have to miss work every time the schools are closed due to inclimate weather or they have to miss work because the babysitter quit. There are advantages to hiring older adult workers. We are stable, we are experienced. we work better independently, we don’t have all the family issues to deal with, etc.
I am a registered nurse that worked for a government clinic in town. In this particular clinic all top administrators (no doctors) are uneducated, staff that started their employment as secretaries, assistant coordinator etc., they are long term bitter employees that have escalated to top positions due to seniority. Granted after 20 years of employment they have learned the ropes but have no degrees, they know how to snap their fingers to professional nurses, an CMA’s, they are slave drivers. They know how to milk the system, and slave all nursing staff except for the people that love to kiss their a– they have no ethics, no degree, and they do not know shame
I was fired from my last job for cause five months ago. I had worked there quite successfully for over 8 years. The last year was very difficult; I had some personal/family issues to deal with as well as managerial harrassment which culminated in an argument with my supervisor who was hostile and argumentative with me over a rather minor issue and because I defended myself against him I was fired. On many applications I have to say if I’ve ever been terminated which I have to answer truthfully. I’ve applied for many positions and have had two interviews. I think the company is telling potential employers who call negative and inaccurate things about me which is playing a big part in my inability to get a job. Are there any suggestions as to how I can handle this? Thanks!
What is the best way to go after a job that I want? I really want to work at Harvest Moon a really cool health food store here in Floyd, Virginia. If suggestions are given please let me know. Have a wonderful day and week! Mary
I could use some helpful tips or suggestions on how to deal with my situation. In late January I was fired for cause from a job I had over 8 years. I fill out lots of applications online and am honest if asked about ever being terminated for cause. In five months I’ve had two interviews during which I explained the circumstances surrounding my termination very briefly and honestly (which was lame really – I didn’t embezzle money or do drugs or anything I just had a disagreement with my supervisor and we both lost our tempers but I got fired.) Neither of the interviews resulted in a job. How do I get past this?
The problem is your explanation of why you got fired. You NEVER want to tell a future employer anything about “disagreement with my supervisor… we both lost our tempers but I got fired”. In this case it is best to LIE, as awful as it sounds but trust me, LIE & it’ll work. NEVER EVER EVER say anything negative about your previous employer in an interview. NEVER DO THAT!!!!! Never say anything negative about ANYTHING in an interview. Honestly, you HAVE to make up another reason why you’re no longer employed there. Make it something anybody can relate to like ‘the company moved & i couldn’t commute to the location anymore’ or ‘there was a reduction in hours and I could no longer support myself so i decided to pursue other employment’ or ‘my relative went back to work & i decided to be a full time babysitter for them’ something to that effect. But please whatever you do, NEVER say anything negative about ANYTHING in an interview. No matter what the circumstance was, even if you worked in a sweatshop, say ONLY POSITIVE things about the position and the company. It may sound shady but ‘fake it til you make it’. It’s all apart of selling yourself & putting yourself in the best light possible because bottom line, no employer is going to hire a ‘negative Nancy’.
If a past employer isn’t allowed to give any details about your past employment history,why do they even ask if you were terminated? So let’s say I was terminated from my last job, I can say I left for personal reasons and that potential employer wouldn’t know either way? And my past employer cannot say if I was terminated or left on my own? Is this right?
I could use some advice. I am a retiree, age 69, looking for a part time job in retail. I left my last job of 41/2 years to care for my companion who was dying. My previous work was for a state agency where I worked for 36 years in responsible position. Retail is very different from my previous experience, but I enjoy it.
I also have a Masters degree related to my prior field. I do not emphasize it, but I am not sure if it is all right to omit it in an application.
I have had two I interviews so far which seemed to go rather well. The first one sent me an email saying they did not have a position which fit my experience. I am still waiting to hear from the second one, as the interviewer said it would take 7-10 days to review references, CORI and credit check, etc.
Is there anyone else out there in my situation who can offer advice? I really want to work on a part time basis; I like to keep busy, and enjoy the retail environment.
I’ve been applying for entry level jobs for the past 2 years. I have gotten 2 interviews and apparently bombed them because I wasn’t hired. I don’t know what else to do. I fill out applications correctly, dress appropriately, and arrive slightly early to interviews.
What am I doing wrong? I certainly don’t know, unless it is simply the fact that I haven’t worked since 2009. But I can’t fix that unless someone hires me!
GEE HOW ABOUT YOU AREN’T DOING ANYTHING WRONG IF YOU MAKE IT THRU SEVERAL ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS. THESE POSTS IMPLYING IT’S YOU KILL ME…YOU OBVIOUSLY AREN’T LACKING INTERVIEW SKILLS IF YOU GET THRU MANY ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS. WHEN YOU GET THAT FAR, THE TABLES CHANGE AS TO WHAT THESE EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR AND THEY VIOLATE EVERY EEO “LAW” IN PLACE…IF YOU’RE TOO GOOD LOOKING, NO JOB, IF YOU’RE NOT GOOD LOOKING ENOUGH, NO JOB. IF YOU ARE POLISHED INTERVIEWING IN AN OTHERWISE FRUMPY OFFICE, YOU WON’T FIT IN, IF YOU’RE OLDER, THEY DISCRIMINATE, IF YOU’RE OVERQUALIFIED, THEY WON’T TELL YOU. THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT CAN “GO WRONG” HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU AND DON’T EXPECT ANY COURTESIES FROM THE COMPANY WHO WASTED YOUR TIME TO KEEP BRINGING YOU IN TO PLAY THEIR NUMBERS GAMES BECAUSE IN MOST CASES THESE JOBS ARE FILLED ANYWAY BEFORE YOU WALK IN THE DOOR.
I have been searching for jobs for 2 months now only to go to an interview and get the ol’ “we have a couple more interviews and when we figure out who is the most qualified we will call you back”
I have been a bartender for 9 years. I am 31, friendly, have no job gaps, same place for 9 years and I can’t find a bartending job after applying at over 100 different places. They just never call me back after saying they thought the interview went really well and they felt positive about it. I don’t understand what is going on. I guess these places want younger, more attractive people. It is so discouraging. Who is there saying “Well this person just doesn’t qualify for this position which she has been doing for almost 10 years” Ugh…
I’ve been looking for a job for a month now since I was terminated, been getting interviews but no job, I have 7 yrs worth of experience, how would I explain in an interview when they ask why was I terminated from my last employer?