Having phone interviews but nothing else
Okay, so within the past month I have had 3 phone interviews and next week I have another 2 phone interviews.
All of these positions are related to my background such as finance and retail. These are entry level types positions requiring around 1-2 yrs experience.
I paid a professional to overhaul my resume and to write a cover letter. This has given me a boost, but my concern is that I am only getting phone interviews and I am not moving on to the next stage of the process. I don't know what I am doing wrong?
I answer all the interviewers questions well by giving supporting facts and relating it to my previous experience. They give me feedback by saying that's a good response. I ask intelligent questions during the end of the phone interview, and everything seems okay. Several hours later, I write a thank you email to the interviewer.
I research the company, prepare my answers, read interview tips, I do the best that I possibly can, and still no success. This is demoralizing and I'm persistent, but I don't know what else I can do.
Have you gone through this process? What have you changed or done to move onto the next stage of the process?
Thanks Monkeys!
Without knowing your
Without knowing your situation too well, it's hard to gauge if you're doing something wrong. But I can share my experience. I quit my previous job back in May at a prop shop in NYC thinking I would just land another position pretty quickly. The fact is, it just isn't easy right now. I just landed a decent analyst position in Chicago, but I interviewed at about 7 different places over the months without any success before this. Just keep trying. At least you're getting interviews.
resipsa: Without knowing your
Without knowing your situation too well, it's hard to gauge if you're doing something wrong. But I can share my experience. I quit my previous job back in May at a prop shop in NYC thinking I would just land another position pretty quickly. The fact is, it just isn't easy right now. I just landed a decent analyst position in Chicago, but I interviewed at about 7 different places over the months without any success before this. Just keep trying. At least you're getting interviews.
Thanks @resipsa for your feedback.
No contract means I have all the power. They want me, but they can't have me. - Don Draper
@resipsa, During your 7
@resipsa, During your 7 interviews, did you proceed to the on-site interview after the initial phone interview? (I haven't had luck in proceeding to an on-site interview, only phone interviews)
No contract means I have all the power. They want me, but they can't have me. - Don Draper
You may not be doing anything
You may not be doing anything wrong. The hiring environment is terrible right now. I know people coming out of top 3 business schools with solid pre-MBA experience that are struggling. In some cases, firms are hiring people with 10 years of experience for jobs advertised for people with 5. This is the reality of the never ending recession the government caused.
Ravenous: You may not be
You may not be doing anything wrong. The hiring environment is terrible right now. I know people coming out of top 3 business schools with solid pre-MBA experience that are struggling. In some cases, firms are hiring people with 10 years of experience for jobs advertised for people with 5. This is the reality of the never ending recession the government caused.
@Ravenous, hmmmm.... thanks. I didn't realize that I might not be doing anything wrong. Good Perspective, cheers!
No contract means I have all the power. They want me, but they can't have me. - Don Draper
analyst1609: @resipsa, During
@resipsa, During your 7 interviews, did you proceed to the on-site interview after the initial phone interview? (I haven't had luck in proceeding to an on-site interview, only phone interviews)
With about 4 I made it past the initial phone interview. It's tough for us all out there. Just keep your head up. Also, what I did that might of helped was sign up for the December CFA level 1 exam and got some books to practice excel modeling. Show that you want it more than the other 40+ people the person on the other end of the line is interviewing for 1 position.
resipsa: analyst1609: @resi
@resipsa, During your 7 interviews, did you proceed to the on-site interview after the initial phone interview? (I haven't had luck in proceeding to an on-site interview, only phone interviews)
With about 4 I made it past the initial phone interview. It's tough for us all out there. Just keep your head up. Also, what I did that might of helped was sign up for the December CFA level 1 exam and got some books to practice excel modeling. Show that you want it more than the other 40+ people the person on the other end of the line is interviewing for 1 position.
You passed 4 of the phone interviews, that's nice! Yep, I'm also preparing for CFA I Dec Exam.
Thanks buddy! Hey I'll keep you posted on how the 2 phone interviews I have next week. I'm gonna get em both!
No contract means I have all the power. They want me, but they can't have me. - Don Draper
want to do mock interviews
want to do mock interviews with me op?
Can I do mock interview with
Can I do mock interview with you too?
Nothing wrong with your
Nothing wrong with your performance during the phone screen. Even if you nail it, you may not get a follow up. Some factors I think that influence the outcome of the phone screen:
1. Other applicants that have applied for the same position. For example, if the job requires the use of Hyperion and there is a candidate who has experience with that then that candidate tops the list. Companies are usually looking for people who can get the ball rolling right away without much training.
2. Most of the jobs are filled by referrals or the hiring team has already identified someone through some network and they just open the position for HR compliance and legal purposes. Just for the sake of it.
3. Luck is a big factor. If the hiring manager likes you for some reason, then basically it is like winning the lottery.
There may be many other factors. So do not get discouraged. Keep applying and eventually you will land your dream job. It is just a matter of time.
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Do you have a thick accent?
Do you have a thick accent?
analyst1609: resipsa: ana
@resipsa, During your 7 interviews, did you proceed to the on-site interview after the initial phone interview? (I haven't had luck in proceeding to an on-site interview, only phone interviews)
With about 4 I made it past the initial phone interview. It's tough for us all out there. Just keep your head up. Also, what I did that might of helped was sign up for the December CFA level 1 exam and got some books to practice excel modeling. Show that you want it more than the other 40+ people the person on the other end of the line is interviewing for 1 position.
You passed 4 of the phone interviews, that's nice! Yep, I'm also preparing for CFA I Dec Exam.
Thanks buddy! Hey I'll keep you posted on how the 2 phone interviews I have next week. I'm gonna get em both!
So I had my phone interview and now just waiting for the response.
No contract means I have all the power. They want me, but they can't have me. - Don Draper
ivedtara: Nothing wrong with
Nothing wrong with your performance during the phone screen. Even if you nail it, you may not get a follow up. Some factors I think that influence the outcome of the phone screen:
1. Other applicants that have applied for the same position. For example, if the job requires the use of Hyperion and there is a candidate who has experience with that then that candidate tops the list. Companies are usually looking for people who can get the ball rolling right away without much training.
2. Most of the jobs are filled by referrals or the hiring team has already identified someone through some network and they just open the position for HR compliance and legal purposes. Just for the sake of it.
3. Luck is a big factor. If the hiring manager likes you for some reason, then basically it is like winning the lottery.
There may be many other factors. So do not get discouraged. Keep applying and eventually you will land your dream job. It is just a matter of time.
But for how long do I keep applying. Already been 5 months and I've only had 1 on-site interview. I know I know I know, I have to keep applying. It's just a pain in the a$$ doing this process over and over again. Thanks bud!
No contract means I have all the power. They want me, but they can't have me. - Don Draper
Honestly, you're pretty luck
Honestly, you're pretty luck to get any interview with just "applying" to jobs. To really propel yourself, you need to network. That is how interviews are obtained. Make an impression on someone at the firm and then build a relationship.
If you are just applying via a website or whatnot, I would follow up with HR the next day or two asking about the hiring process and then call someone not in HR and ask questions about their experiences and if they can provide any insight into what they went through with past hiring/recruiting sessions. Following up is big though if you're just throwing resumes around websites, always try to talk to someone.
Anacott_CEO: Honestly, you're
Honestly, you're pretty luck to get any interview with just "applying" to jobs. To really propel yourself, you need to network. That is how interviews are obtained. Make an impression on someone at the firm and then build a relationship.
If you are just applying via a website or whatnot, I would follow up with HR the next day or two asking about the hiring process and then call someone not in HR and ask questions about their experiences and if they can provide any insight into what they went through with past hiring/recruiting sessions. Following up is big though if you're just throwing resumes around websites, always try to talk to someone.
After I have the phone interview, I send a thank you email to the interviewer (several hours after the phone call). I have been applying via LinkedIn and through the companies websites. If I don't hear back from the company, I do follow up by sending an email or calling.
I don't know if following up with HR the next day is a good idea. This to me sounds desperate and not showing patience. To me, I think waiting is the best solution, rather than being eager and ambitious. That's just my opinion, but I respect your viewpoint. Good idea what you have, but I wouldn't do it.
No contract means I have all the power. They want me, but they can't have me. - Don Draper