Why am I not able to get a second interview?

Can you help me?

I work in the conference industry and have not been very successful in finding a new job. My resume is working, because I have been contacted to attend lots of job interviews - have attended 7 interviews (personally thinking I did quite well, was confident and answered all their questions) but each time I am not shortlist for a second interview.

I Have asked for feedback but always receive the same vague reply there was a stronger candidate. My self-confidence is falling each time - never realized it would be so difficult to secure a job in my field.

Do you have any ideas?

Louise

If you're serious about discovering your interview shortcomings, here are two things you could try.

1. Hire a professional recruiter whom you DON'T KNOW. Pay that person $50 to grill you for 45 minutes and then take a 15 minute debrief. You want someone who will be blunt with you about how you interviewed, who will also give you their HONEST impressions of how you were dressed, how you interacted, how well you answered questions, and what they think of your interview skills. Don't hire someone who will blow sunshine up your skirt. Make a few calls to search firms and see if you can find someone who will do this for you.
2. Ask a friend to interview you (give him some of the same questions you've been asked recently). Have him reword the questions, throw in a few zingers of his own, and reorder everything. Videotape your interview. We are often blind to our own shortcomings, but honestly looking at a videotape can sometimes really help. You can see how you appear, count how many times you say "UM," and more objectively look at your own performance. If you have professional friends who do a lot of interviewing, ask them to assess your tape.

There are two ideas to get you going. No easy answer, you're going to have to go the extra mile to discover the reasons for your lack of success.

Good luck,

John

Writing Dear John Letters

Questions that are broad enough to be of interest to the readers of Free Resume Help may be posted here, but the privacy of the questioner will always be respected.