You just dont have enought experience
Hey All, I have had 37 (yes I've kept track) in person interviews in the pastyear and I still do not have the job. I have a great degree froma great school in which I graduated a little over a year ago. Ihave been taking advice from everyone on what to do before, during, andafter interviews. I would research the job and the company. Studyeverything I could possibly study on what questions to expect and whatto ask during the interview. I have always wrote in thank youletters to everyone I meet within the company while I was there. There is just one thing I do not do, and that is get offered thejob. I always ask why I was not hired and what I could done tomake them hire me and it is always the same "you just don't have theexperience were are looking for." So how am I supposed to get theexperience when nobody will give me a chance? Is this the real reason? Or is it something personal, such as isit that I happen to be quite tall and the CEO or some manager happensto be very short and he seems threatened. I have the experience, Ihave a little over a year in co-ops and internships. I have greatgrades and references. I don't get it, I just don't get thecorporate world and how some people who are clearly not qualified forthe job, somehow get the job. I have learned this from myinternships because I would catch a lot of people just sitting thereand stare at their screen and not do anything. They would come tome for help on how to use a certain software tool when they supposablyhave been using it for 5+ years and I have only been there for a month. Help people, what is going on out there? Is this the twilight zone? It does seem odd that with 37 in person interviews, you are being told you don't have enough experience. If you don't have enough experience, why are so many people bringing you in? Is there something about your cover letter and/or resume that is advertising you as more experienced than the material that you speak about when you appear in person shows you to be? That could be the case if you are only being called for non-entry level positions, while all the entry level positions are going elsewhere because you appear over-qualified. Those people who have been using software for 5 years and still don't know how to use it will often look better than you on paper, because most people either don't know or care about the difference between seniority and experience. In that case, sell your skill level, not a period of time. It could even be a presentation issue as well. Your dress, hygeine, tone of voice, or any number of 'issues' might be putting people off in a way you'd never expect. Companies do often bring in a lot of people even for one position.
I think experience is part of it but that might also be another word for "not polished enough". By that I mean, not experenced enough in the ways of the Corporate World so that when you walk in and they meet with you, you just don't come off well. The thing that brings this to mind is first of all that you have gotten so many in person interviews. As was mentioned, if you're that far below on experience, you wouldn't get that far with so many. A few may have you in to see if you can wow them and overturn the lack of experience, but not so many. But the thing that really made me go down that road, was your poor grammar in your post. If you're talking anything like you wrote here, that's doing you in. If English is not your first language, you'll get more leeway, but if it is, then you absolutely have to do better. You might also have an attitude or aura that you're putting out that is putting people off. They use the experience excuse because it is easier to quantify. So, in terms of correcting the problem, start with the career center at your school. They should be able to do some mock interviews with you and see if there is something that can be fixed about how you're coming across. They can also help you learn to better describe the experience you do have and convince the interviewer that you are right for the jobs (assuming you're applying for the right level of jobs). You should also look at temp positions and volunteer opportunities. Those are both great ways to build your experience.
Tess
I have checked back with my school's career center and have acquired allthe advice they have given me. I have done mock interviews withthem. I have taken their advice on ways to make my work experiencesound a whole lot better. I have re-written my resume numeroustimes to the point where it looks perfect. I have done all that Ican do during the interview process. They say that I am ready andI will do great. I still get nothing. As for my personal hygiene, that is not a problem at all. Youthink I am the kind of moron who goes into an interview with a beer andsandals? I have a very nice suit and I always look like a milliondollars when I walk into the interview. I do not have an attitude when I walk into a professionalbusiness. I am on my best behavior, I sit up straight, I speakclearly, I do not fidget. What I have noticed is that theinterviewer sometimes asks questions from a paper so I am beinginterviewed by a sheet of paper. You've got me stumped. If you get the interview, it's not your resume. Are you sure what all of your references are saying about you? Otherwise, it must be something about your personal persentation. Is there anything strange about you? Weird hairstyle, tattoos, piercing, transvestite, nervousness? Do you know anyone in business who could pratice interview you? See if there's something about you or that you're doing that puts people off. What kind of jobs are you interviewing for? Is personal appearance a big issue? There's a difference between re-writing your resume and being able to explain to the interviewer how your experience is what they're looking for. You're not doing a good enough job of that. Something is happening during the interviews. You need to go back to the career center, do more mock interviews and find out what it is. Or, you're not applying to the right level of job, although again, you wouldn't get 37 people interviewing you if they were all the wrong level. A few, but not that many, so it absolutely has to be something that is going awry in the interview. And you DO have an attitude in your posts, so whether you think so or not, you may be putting over an attitude in your interviews. What kinds of jobs are you interviewing for?
Tess Hi, Don't know if there is anyone still reading these messages board. But i want to know, i am getting interveiws, but not getting any job offers. They responsed that you gave a great interveiw, but you need experience. I have work in a factory for the last 8 years, and went back the school the last 2. Received my degree, with honors. So were can a person get the experience, I am getting frustrated in my job hunt.
I got a great IT job now. I did with agressiveness and just being in the right place at the right time. It also helped that someone I knew in the company informed of the job before they posted it on job sites and such. It just takes luck to get that interview and you just need to be agressive and show them you are unique. Thanks ya'll for help and it llooks I've joined a new club. | |
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