Not getting interviews? How to land your first job interview

Sending out fifty applications and getting nothing back but automated replies, or silence: that is everyday life for many graduates. The problem is rarely your profile. It is almost always the method: too many identical applications, not enough targeted ones, and no follow-up. Here is how to turn that around.

Why you are not hearing back

For a single job ad, a recruiter often receives dozens or hundreds of résumés (CVs, in the UK). They are not looking for the best candidate in the abstract: they are looking for the ones who visibly fit this particular role. A generic résumé, even a strong one, misses because it makes the recruiter do the matching for you.

The good news is that it often takes little to stand out: a headline that echoes the job title, two or three words from the ad found in your résumé, a summary that mentions this company. That is what separates a targeted application from a mass mailing.

Apply less, but better

Five to ten well-prepared applications a week beat thirty sent in one click. For every ad you genuinely want:

1. Read the whole ad and underline what it asks for most. Two or three skills almost always recur, in the title, the responsibilities and the profile.
2. Check that your résumé shows them. If you have those skills, they should appear in the same words, backed by an experience.
3. Tailor the headline and summary. Your headline echoes the job title; your summary says why this role interests you.
4. Reorder your experience. Put first whatever looks most like the job on offer.
5. Apply through the channel the ad gives. Online form, application portal, dedicated address: that is where your application is logged and tracked. A message to a named person comes on top, not instead.

If you are starting from scratch, begin with a solid résumé with no experience: it is the base you will tailor for each job.

Graduate schemes work differently

Large employers' graduate programmes follow a fixed process: an online form, aptitude tests, a recorded video interview, then an assessment centre. They close on a set date, sometimes early if they fill up, so apply early rather than follow up. Practise the tests (your careers service usually has free access), and check the hard criteria before you start: degree class or GPA, and whether the employer sponsors visas if you need one.

Don't rely only on advertised jobs

Some roles are filled without an ad, or before the ad reaches every job board. Several channels deserve as much energy as the job sites:

• A referral. An alumnus or former colleague who passes your résumé on internally often gets you a closer look than any job board. A LinkedIn profile that matches your résumé makes that easier, and lets recruiters find you.
• Speculative applications. Pick ten companies you really want to work for, find the name of a team lead, and send a short message: who you are, what you can do, why this company.
• Your university network. Alumni are usually happy to help a student from their old course. Ask for a fifteen-minute informational interview about their job, not for a job: the job may come later. Your careers service can often put you in touch.
• Careers fairs. Two minutes with a recruiter at a stand is often worth more than an anonymous résumé in a pile. Prepare your 90-second introduction before you go.

Follow up, without pushing

A polite follow-up shows interest and puts your application back in front of the recruiter. It is rarely badly received, as long as you keep it short and do it once.

A follow-up email fits in a few lines:

Subject: Junior Project Coordinator application – Leah Morgan

Dear Ms Martin,

I applied on 4 September for the Junior Project Coordinator role and wanted to confirm that I'm still very keen, especially given your work with local councils. I'd be glad to talk whenever suits you.

Kind regards,

Leah Morgan

Track your applications

Past ten applications, you lose track of who replied, who to chase, and which version of your résumé went where. A simple spreadsheet is enough: company, role, date sent, follow-up date, status, and a link to the ad (which often disappears once the job is filled).

Rejections are useful too: if you get many for the same kind of role, it may be your targeting that needs rethinking, not your profile.

What works, what doesn't

Frequently asked questions

Why am I not getting any interviews?

Usually for one of three reasons: the résumé is generic rather than tailored to each ad, it doesn't get through the screening software because the ad's key words are missing, or the applications go to roles too far from your profile. Tailor the headline and summary, check your résumé with an ATS check, and narrow your targets before sending more.

Should I apply if the job asks for experience?

Yes, if you meet most of the rest. Job requirements often describe an ideal candidate, not a strict minimum. Show in your résumé and message what makes up for it: a long internship, a placement year, a project close to the role.

How many applications should I send a week?

There is no magic number, but quality beats volume. Five to ten targeted applications with a follow-up are worth more than thirty identical ones that are unlikely to stand out.

Do I still need a cover letter?

When it is asked for, yes, and a short, specific letter can make the difference for a first job. When it is optional, a few lines in the application message are often enough.

How long should I wait for an answer?

It varies a lot between companies, from a few days to several weeks. Follow up once, then keep applying elsewhere without waiting.