I can’t get a marketing job interview even though I’ve tailored my CV

We all know how important it is for job applicants to tailor their CV or online application to the specific job, rather than send generic details about themselves. But increasingly – as more and more people apply for each advertised marketing vacancy – those who apply for jobs they are fully qualified for, are finding that even this isn’t working in their favour.

One frustrated jobseeker complained recently in an online careers forum that 16 marketing job applications in the space of two months had got her exactly nowhere – no invites to job interviews had been forthcoming: “Every application I submit includes a specifically tailored CV or application form. I very carefully stick to the requirements of the job description and highlight successes to demonstrate my abilities and experience. But I’ve yet to be offered an interview.”

Not getting to the interview stage – when all that effort has been put into an application – can be soul destroying. So what should be done, to increase your chances of getting invited to an interview?

The most likely reason for this lack of interviews, particularly in the marketing, PR and communications sector is that a string of unsuccessful applications is not a sign of failure, merely the norm in the current climate. Independent careers advisor Martin Edwards says: “There is incredible competition for jobs in media and marketing. Every job advert in these sectors will attract huge numbers of well-qualified applicants and it’s actually incredibly difficult to stand out from the crowd. The reality is that you have to apply to a great many jobs to stand a chance of progress.”

He suggests in the first instance – if you are sure you’ve tailored the application, explained achievements and used the language of the job advert – to carry on as you were, assuming it will take a long time to land the right job. “Hold your nerve, and don’t try and drastically different application techniques which might ruin your chances,” says Edwards. “You’re probably not doing anything ‘wrong’. It’s could just be part of the process.”

Tiny errors could be your downfall

Another explanation for not making it into the ‘interviews’ pile by selectors, could be that there are minor mistakes in your application that are letting you down. A spelling error, bad grammar and punctuation, a slightly untidy layout could all be giving HR staff a good enough reason to put your application in the reject pile. Remember they have hundreds of applications to plough through – those not up to scratch will quickly be put aside, so don’t give them the slightest reason to reject you. Classic mistakes include misspelling the company name and address, getting the job title slightly wrong, sloppy punctuation. Get someone at home to proof-read for you before hitting the send button!

Is your Facebook profile working against you?

Remember that your application is not the only thing a marketing or PR company can look at to find out what kind of person you are. Your LinkedIn page and your Facebook profile might also be scrutinized, so make sure everything on there will show you in a positive, employable light! Having appropriate endorsements and recommendations on LinkedIn can be particularly helpful to your cause.

Do you sound over-qualified?

There is an outside chance you are deemed over-qualified for the roles you are applying for. It’s natural to want to make the most of your qualifications and experience but have you overdone it, and made yourself sound difficult to work with, too advanced for the role in question? Before you send your application, read it through to check what tone comes across. Would the individual reading it think you sounded too confident, over-bearing, rather daunting? Chose a select few examples of your achievements and you don’t need to go into too much detail – you can always expand on these when you are in the interview, after all.

A final piece of advice is to make strategic use of your contacts. You might be wiser to contact old colleagues to tell them you’re on the lookout for a new opportunity, than spending days hammering out applications to companies you know little about. ‘Putting out the feelers’ might have a higher hit rate than the applications route –doing both would certainly make sense.

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