I keep getting rejected from jobs even though I'm qualified
I've applied to over 80 jobs in the last 3 months and only got 3 interviews. I have 5 years of experience in marketing and a bachelor's degree. I feel like something is wrong with my resume but I've had friends look at it and they say it's fine. What am I missing?
1 Answer(s)
If your resume looks good to people you know, the problem is almost certainly your application strategy, not your qualifications. Here's what's likely happening.
First, are you tailoring your resume for each job? A generic resume sent to 80 different positions is basically a waste of time. Hiring managers use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that scan for specific keywords from the job description. If your resume doesn't mirror the exact language in the posting, you get filtered out before a human ever sees it.
Second, how are you applying? If you're only using "Easy Apply" on LinkedIn or Indeed, you're competing with hundreds of others. Instead, find the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn and send a direct message. Or go to the company's careers page and apply there directly.
Third, your cover letter might be weak or missing. Even if it says optional, write one. Keep it to 3-4 sentences about why you want THIS specific role at THIS specific company.
Try applying to 10 jobs per week with fully customized resumes instead of 80 generic ones. Quality over quantity wins every time.