It Takes More than A Great Resume

I am no stranger to rejection. I have been searching for a perfect role since 2019. I write this article as a response to my experience in the job market for the past two years. Please keep in mind that I have experienced a pandemic like a search before the pandemic. I am completely desensitized to rejection. I have been rejected so many times from roles that the phenomenon is a source of research.

This all began in 2019 when I left my job. I began working with my former company as a senior administrative assistant and was promptly demoted to a secretary after targets were hit for my assigned projects. This does not mean I was unsuccessful at the role, I was too successful. This happened while wrapping up my bachelor's degree. I graduated and began searching fervently. I knew that I wanted to move into digital marketing years before I left my job. I'd been freelancing to create work experience for myself. I also began to develop my own business endeavors. The certainty that a role was out there for me was completely undeniable. After numerous failed attempts to find a position for over a year, I decided to apply for grad school at the beginning of COVID lockdown 2020. A bachelor's degree is standard nowadays, a master's degree is very rare still. So I began a Master of Science program to be more “marketable“ to employers.

In November of last year, after over 200 resumes and rejections, I began to collect the data on my job search. My main objective of discovering how I can concisely improve and secure the roles, I have applied to. Here are my key data points:
-Company
-Role
-Date of Application
-Date of Interview
-Number of interviews
-Date of the Last interview
-Date of Rejection
-Reason for rejection given

This is not as sadistic as it seems. As a soul that is constantly in search of answers, my curiosity would not prevail over me in finding the answers that were both from my situation. I became desperate to know why I was not securing these positions. It has been befuddling for me to see the full list of my rejections. Imagine going on over 50 first dates within a year and collecting notes from your potential suitors.

Often some employers send an email notifying that they have chosen to go with another candidate or they have chosen someone with more experience. I’ve received coded responses for an internal hire such as “lateral movement” or “ department restructure”.

The late and great Aaliyah once said,

“If at first, you don’t succeed, you can dust yourself off and try again”.

No. That does NOT apply here.

I have noticed a common occurrence in my research. Employers enjoy viewing my résumé, they enjoy the intrigue of knowing more about me, however, with a great resume, I have not landed my most coveted roles. Very rarely have I interviewed with only the hiring manager. Independently ad with the help of my well-connected network, I meet with C-Suite executives often. Especially often enough to know when an executive chief has checked out. I can see the light, intrigue, and life dissipate from their eyes. Almost as if a distant emptiness opens in their souls while talking to me. The interview is over before we have said goodbye. I can recall an executive openly sharing their companies initiatives to fight racism and be inclusive. During the call, I could not figure where the explanation of diversity came from. It was not until days after the interview, I realized that the diversity caveat was signaling that my rejection was not “because you’re black”.

They were right, it was not because I am black.

My personality falls flat during the interview. In an effort to not expose the inner voice that is loud and yelling, I work to maintain calm during my interviews. My daily cadence and tone are typically flat. It is not of disinterest. My worry is that, if I am too elated during an interview, I will be expected to be exclamatory and jovial every day.

I also do not use technical jargon during interviews. My approach, to my demise, is to speak to an employer as if they are a layperson who’s scratching a curiosity. My mistake is not expecting executives to understand basic industry principles and practices. In reflection, this does not emphasize my expertise needed to demonstrate that I am fit for the roles.

Do you think my personality or even-keeled temper could be the source of my unsuccessful interviews?