When you’re applying for jobs, it’s all about percentages. And no job interviews is an indicator something’s off.

You can tell if your job search needs adjustment by paying attention to this metric.

So how many interviews should you be getting?

Generally, strive for at least 2 callbacks for every 10 jobs applied to.

In other words, the MINIMUM acceptable application-to-interview target is 20%.

If it’s below 20%, something’s wrong, and it’s time to diagnose.

So how do you diagnose a low call-back ratio?

First, we need to take a realistic, open-minded look at ourselves. Being stubborn doesn’t do you good if you’re looking for solutions.

When you discover the likely culprit, you can more easily adjust your approach.

Here are the 5 most common reasons:

Reason #1: You aren’t a good fit for the jobs you’re applying to.

Simply put, your background doesn’t match what the employer seeks.

The solution? Be more selective (and realistic) about the roles you’re submitting to.

Take a long, hard look at the job requirements and ask yourself how well you match up to them.

I’d rather take my time applying to 10 well-aligned jobs than spam-apply to 100 untargeted jobs. I’d be willing to bet my callbacks would still be higher.

Therefore, you’ll have a higher response rate when applying for jobs you match more closely.

Reason #2: You ARE a good fit but aren’t marketing yourself properly.

Assuming you are qualified, something about your candidate profile isn’t translating with the hiring team.

In most cases, it’s your resume.

The solution?  Analyze and fix your resume. 

A rule of thumb: If you’re reasonably qualified for the roles you’re applying for and you are getting rejected, it’s almost always a resume issue. ​

It could be that your resume just doesn’t read well. Or perhaps you have a wart in your past job history weighing you down. Or maybe it’s too cluttered.

Don’t assume a recruiter will “read into your resume” and pull the relevant experience they seek.

Make it easy for them and clearly show why you’re worthy of an interview.

Reason #3: There’s too much competition.

Employers often get as many as 1000 applications per role, especially in tight labor markets. When you’re facing that competition, you must differentiate yourself.

The solution? Tailor your resume closely for the role.

Your resume is your first and often only impression for inbound applications (when you apply to a job advertisement). And with fierce competition, your resume must stand out.

Make it count!

If you are not customizing your resume, you’re unlikely to show why you’re the best fit for the job.

You can also skip to the front of the line with purposeful and opportunistic networking.

Getting noticed, even with that many applicants, isn’t impossible.

Reason #4: You applied for the job too late.

Oftentimes it’s more critical WHEN you apply vs. how you apply.

In general, you want to be an early applicant and throw your name in the ring before they find a slate of candidates.

The solution?  Set alerts.

Create a habit of setting alerts for specific keywords on Google and your favorite job boards.

Even better, set up alerts directly with your favorite companies.

These alerts will notify you as soon as a new job is posted.

And try to get your (custom-tailored) application submitted in the first 72 hours to maximize the chances of a callback.

Reason #5: You’re not lucky.

Let’s face it – sometimes, it takes some “being in the right place at the right time” to land a job.

You can’t control the other applicants or if an internal candidate pops up at the last minute.

And, of course, you have no control over the conditions of your chosen industry or job type.

But you can do things to increase your luck.

The solution?  Master your networking skills.

Creating your own “luck” with some well-timed and targeted outreach is possible. Learn how to skip the recruiter when possible and jump to the front of the line.

You can do this through carefully targeted networking at the right time. LinkedIn is my favorite tool to do this. If you’re not leveraging the power of networking on LinkedIn, you’re missing out on a critical component of your job search.

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By diagnosing your trouble areas frequently, you can improve your application-to-interview ratio.

Some of my clients have even achieved a 30-50% callback ratio! (nobody is 100%, and if they say they are, they lie).

Remember, targeted resumes and networking trump brute-force applications every day of the week.

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Whenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:

1 – If you’re still looking for traction in your business, I’d recommend starting with an affordable course:

→ Resume Rocketfuel:This best-selling course will teach you the exact system I developed to help over 1000 people land great jobs, myself included.

→ The Ultimate Jobseeker Bootcamp: This A-to-Z guide takes you from job search all the way to offer negotiation, providing detailed, recruiter-proven strategies.

→ Unlocking LinkedIn:Unlocking LinkedIn walks you step-by-step through how to set up a profile for maximum discoverability, techniques for accessing the hidden job market, and how to cut in front of the long application lines!

PS…here’s a special discount for newsletter readers: Use code “TAKE15” for 15% off any course or bundle!

2. Gain extra personalized clarity with private 1×1 coaching ​
Have a specific question or strategy that requires more tailored help? I offer limited private coaching sessions. My clients have had too many “ah ha!” moments to count.

Happy hunting!

-Bryan