I have a great resume and I'm told I interview very well but why won't anyone hire me?

Question

I've been to several interviews and I have had people tell me that I interview very well and that my resume is very impressive. I have two jobs in the past of which I was with for about 8 months each (keep in mind I'm a college student) and I didn't give a two weeks notice. I'm guessing that this is what's keeping everyone away. could I just put the last 2 or 3 jobs on there and lie about them or will that do more damage?

Answer 1

If interviewers are truly telling you this information, you can always ask them why they chose not to hire you. Then, depending on their answers (not enough experience, too much job jumping), you can work on that from there. You could be trying to get a job that's too far out of your league, and you don't have enough qualifications for that particular job, or they just simply don't want you.

As for your other jobs, while there is no requirement to give notice that you want to quit, it's always appreciated, and always looks good on your part. It shows you left the company on good terms. Always think of a departure from a company, no matter how good or bad, as also a way to maintain good contact in case you ever wish to return, even if you don't want to.

As for the resume, you can put whatever you want on there. There's no requirement. I wouldn't however, leave large gaps between jobs. And if they ask they you left, don't lie. Honesty is the best policy, even if you don't like why you left. If you lie, then you are only starting your new job off on a lie.

Answer 2

I don't see how giving notice or not is something that prospective employers would know about or even think to ask. While 8 months is relatively short, the duration seems reasonable for a student. Perhaps you could relabel them as internships to avoid the appearance of job hopping,

I'd avoid telling lies, but you can certainly exclude or include anything you want on your resume. Treat it like marketing material with the single purpose of getting you an interview. Once you're in an interview, your resume is no longer useful.

My experience is primarily in the IT market. If that's where you happen to be, feel free to check out additional thoughts I've posted on my blog: http://www.akriconsulting.com/blog/.

By the way, any feedback you get from an interviewer is next to useless. Very few interviewers want to deal with providing constructive criticism.

Answer 3

If you're a college student, how many jobs have you had? How long have you stayed in each one? If your resume has a bunch of jobs on it, employers may see you as a job-hopper who will not stick around long enough to repay their investment in hiring and training you. Recruiting and training new employees cost a significant amount of money you know!

As for the two jobs you left without notice, I would leave them off the resume. Do NOT lie if you're asked about them, but you can say that your resume highlights the positive things in your employment history. Also, if you have to fill out a job application, you will have to list those two jobs.

One final thing, NEVER AGAIN should you leave a job without notice. Ever. It is unprofessional, plus you never know if you will run into any of those people again in your career. You don't want them to remember you as the jerk who left them in the lurch. That could send you to the career basement fast.

Answer 4

If it is the interviewers themselves that are telling you that you interview well, then forget it. They tell everyonhe who asks that.

Whatever you do, don't lie because it only gives reason to fire you later if you are hired and then found out.

I'm guessing the reason you aren't gettting the jobs you are interviewing for is because your french frying skills aren't quit up to par. I'd work on that if I were you.

Answer 5

Being honest is a good virtue. You have to include your past experiences in your resume for it gives weight to your qualifications. Try to apply in other companies who are in dire need for additional manpower. Good luck to your job hunting.