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Topic: Why aren't I being asked to interview?
| Author | Message |
| frontmatter | Posted – 3/4/2008 10:16:49 PM | show profile | email poster I thought I did everything right: I got great compliments on my new resume, I networked with really good contacts at book publishers in NYC who passed my resume along to hiring editors, and, in addition, I also went through the whole laborious HR thing. Plus, my cover letters/emails were meticulous and well researched (at least I thought so). I've been applying for EA positions at publishers in NYC, and I just haven't received the type of response I expected. I already have well over a year's worth of experience at a small press outside of NY (which included some great editorial experience), I've written for or held internships with three newspapers, and my educational background is in creative copywriting with an English minor. I made it clear in all my cover letters that I'd already established living arrangements in NYC and would be traveling there during a specific week for a preliminary trip, and that I'd enjoy meeting with them to discuss the position while I was there. I've received a few responses (some of whom I'll be interviewing with next week), but not from as many as I had hoped/expected, and none of the responses thus far are from publishers to whom I was referred by a trusted contact. These are entry-level EA positions, and I already have some publishing and editorial experience. What am I doing wrong? |
| WritingEd | Posted – 3/5/2008 12:03:52 AM | show profile Why isn't a few responses good? How many did you expect to receive? Certainly you can't be a perfect fit for all of these positions. Also, you said you'd be in NYC during a particular week. Companies like to search for candidates on their own timeframe, and if they feel as if they're being told they must accommodate you, perhaps most felt that was not acceptable. Keep in mind, too, that a year of experience and great internships is not going to be enough to qualify you for a job above entry level. I remember feeling the same way, after graduating with two years of near-full-time experience under my belt, but when it came down to it I was kidding myself thinking that I was somehow nearly overqualified. Just some thoughts as I read your post. It does sound as if you have done just about everything right. One can never fully understand why you'll get calls from some people and not from others. |
| Unemployed-gal | Posted – 3/5/2008 12:02:02 PM | show profile I second what WritingEd said. Even just a few calls for interviews are better than nothing at all. Getting called in is only part of the battle; the major part of it is the interview, where first impressions are everything. Also keep in mind that EA positions are very, very competitive and that they get a lot of applications for those jobs. Sometimes there's simply not enough time in a day to read (skim) every resume they receive. I'm sure you'll hear this a lot, but the key to everything is following up. If you haven't heard back about the postion after a while (ie, more than a week), give them a call. It also helps to tell them when and what time you sent your resume if by e-mail. But I agree with you that job hunting in New York is very, very tough and frustrating, even if you live here and have experience in the field. Getting hired at the entry level is mostly about personality fit, anyways. Good luck! |
| frontmatter | Posted – 3/5/2008 12:23:12 PM | show profile | email poster Thanks for the replies. And WritingEd, I don't expect to qualify for a job above entry level. As I mentioned, the vast majority of the positions I've been applying for are entry-level EA positions. I guess I was primarily disappointed with the fact that I didn't get responses from the places I REALLY wanted to work at (and I even had employee referrals from those places). I'm not green when it comes to rejection, and I understand it's part of the job search. And I know it's rare to get your first pick, but I guess I just thought that my chances would really improve with employee referrals/connections. |
| bendigedig | Posted – 3/6/2008 11:24:26 AM | show profile follow up calls I'm in a similar job hunting position. I'm an award winning PR professional with over three years experience, but out of over 50 job apps in Chicago I've only had one interview. I'm at a loss as to why I haven't been called in for interviews for some jobs I felt I would be a good fit, but I've only just started following up applications with phone calls - and that's what led to my interview yesterday, so a call can make all the difference. I think if I were in your position, where you have contacts who have passed on a resume, i'd definately call up the company and mention the contact's name straight away - that could be the difference between getting your resume read or deleted. Never assume someone has actually received or read your email. |
