Q. I think I have a great resume, but clearly employers do not feel the same way. I cannot get an interview. Why would a resume fail over and over again? What can I do?
A. The reasons why a resume fails to gain interviews may be entirely out of your hands. For example, financial difficulties in the industry where you are applying may lead to cutbacks or employment freezes. Changes in industry regulations or qualifications for the position you want may mean that you need a new certification or additional training before you would be considered.
If the problem is a mismatch between your skills and employer expectations, then now is the time for you to brush up on your skills or take additional courses. You should be reading job advertisements and postings carefully to make sure you understand what each company is looking for—and customizing your resume each time to make sure the company understands how qualified you are.
Make sure you have explored every avenue for finding a new job. Simply searching the internet for help wanted is not enough. You need to network in person—attend meetings of professional organizations; talk to former employers and peers who might recommend you for new openings; and become more active in the community, perhaps by volunteering, so that your name and talents are better known.
You might also want to send your resume to a professional resume writer. A truly professional resume writer will interview you and work with you one-on-one to see if there is anything that can be added to or better emphasized in your current resume.
As a certified career coach, I can also offer you suggestions for reframing your resume for careers, positions, or industries you might not have considered. You probably have many transferable skills and achievements that would land you a job on a career path slightly different from your current path.
Please contact me if I can be of further help to prepare your resume for the next great interview.