Struggling to Land a Job? The 2 Things You’re Doing Wrong

Why did you not get the job?

You are not getting the job because of just 2 reasons;

1. Your application is not getting to recruiters because of their filtering software (ATS) or

2. You have a poor showing at interviews.

Most job applications don’t even get seen by a human. They are rejected before a recruiter sees them. When I knew little about the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) Software and how it works, I was frustrated like most job seekers who send out dozens of applications, but no one ever calls back.

How do you get called to interveiw when your CV is not making it past the hiring software.

Also, there is only one reason for an organization inviting you to an interview and IT IS NOT to evaluate your skills or competences.

If you understand these two points, you will land your dream job.

👉 Need an FREE editable CV template guaranteed for NHS job? Download our FREE ATS-friendly CV template.

The Hidden Gatekeeper: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

The ATS scans and ranks applicants' CVs within seconds and decides based on this ranking which CVs are to be seen by human recruiters.

If you are not getting responses for your applications, then it is likely that the ATS is scanning and ranking your CVs low and not presenting them to recruiters. If you don't get past this software used in recruitment you will never get the kind of dream jobs you want. If your CV isn’t optimized, it gets rejected instantly.

The worst part is that you begin to lose confidence in yourself and settle for anything that comes along. It's so sad!

Why is this a BIG problem?

Most companies use ATS. Over 80% of resumes never reach human eyes.
ATS filters based on keywords. If your CV lacks the right terms (keywords), it won’t be considered.
Wrong formats that the ATS cannot pick up or understand. Unreadable layouts, images, and fancy fonts can break ATS parsing.

👉 Need FREE editable universal Job CV template that works? Download our free ATS-friendly CV template.

How to Beat the ATS and Get Your CV Seen

✔ Use Job-Specific Keywords: Tailor your resume by matching keywords from the job description. You must take the time to tailor your CV to match the job description - there is no substitute for this. if you take the take and apply in a few and get feedback, its better than writing 100 applications without a response.

✔ Keep the Formatting Simple: Avoid tables, graphics, and columns. Use clear headings, write normally in text format, and use bullet points.

✔ Save in the Right Format: your CV should only be in Word files. Avoid other formats like PDF, image files, jpeg, png, etc.

✔ Craft Strong Bullet Points: Say “Led a team of 10, increasing productivity by 20%,” instead of “Managed a team.”

If you are selected for an interview, the worst is over.

🔗 Want step-by-step help? Check out our FREE guide on ATS-proof resumes.

How to Impress in the Interview

The Secret of Interviews - The Mother of All Secrets

Interviewers don’t just evaluate skills or capabilities — they assess confidence, personality, and cultural fit. In simple terms, they want to see your face and know if they'll like you or not. This may be hard for you to believe but this is true.

I've been recruiting since 2010 and can tell you this for free.

The interviewers are people like you, they are attracted to confidence (without arrogance), and they want people with likable personalities, and who are aware of the work culture.

Do these things and get ‘liked’.

1. Prepare Like a Pro

Know the organization’s mission, values, and recent news.
Read through and understand the job description and person specification. Use these when preparing your CV, cover letter, and personal statement.
Then identify key skills in the job description and person specification to showcase during your interview.

2. Master First Impressions

Dress for the role. Dressing formally is always the best. If not, go slightly more formal.

First impressions happen in seconds. Here’s how to make yours count. As you step into the room, maintain eye contact and keep a friendly and smiling face. Greet everyone enthusiastically and with a firm handshake.

Show confident body language. Sit upright, make eye contact, and smile.

3. Build Rapport with the Interviewers

Hiring managers are more likely to pick someone they connect with.

Find common ground. If you share an interest, mention it naturally.
Mirror their communication style. Subtly match their energy and tone.
Engage in meaningful conversation. Show enthusiasm beyond just answering questions.

4. Answer Tough Questions with Confidence

Why do you want this job? Show passion for the company’s mission.
What’s your biggest weakness? Choose a minor weakness and show how you’re improving.
Why did you leave your last job? Stay positive and focus on growth opportunities.

🚀 Need more help? Here’s a list of the top 30 interview questions and answers.

Common Mistakes Candidates Make

❌ Rambling instead of giving structured answers.

❌ Poor body language (lack of eye contact, slouching, weak handshake).

❌ Failing to research the company or role.

Closing Strong & Following Up

Before you leave, make sure you:

✔ Thank the interviewers. Show appreciation for their time.

✔ Ask insightful questions. Example: “What does success look like in this role?”

✔ Send a follow-up email. Reiterate your interest and mention key discussion points.

✉ Example Follow-Up Email:

Subject: Thank You for the Interview Opportunity

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I enjoyed learning more about [Company Name] and the [Job Title] role. Our discussion about [specific topic] was especially insightful, and I’m excited about the possibility of contributing to your team.

Looking forward to the next steps!

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Conclusion

Getting that desired congratulatory call is the dream of every applicant. You may need to apply and practise these a few times until you get it right and get that call.

The answer to getting that dream job is mastering both the ATS and the interview process.