What should I do when I’m not getting invited to interviews?
1. Book a meeting with a career advisor to strategize about your recruiting approach.
- The job market is competitive, and recruiting activities can slow over the holidays. Now is an important time to reconnect with your career advisor to assess your applications and approach. We can help you make a few adjustments or give you the encouragement to keep going. Recruiting activities in November can set you up for success in December and the new year.
2. Reflect on your targets; are they too narrow or too broad?
- If responses are slow, ask yourself if you have limited yourself to consider too few opportunities, or if you have stretched yourself too thin across too many targets. You want a balanced approach, that is both focused enough to help you stand out in specific areas, and broad enough to discover roles you may not have originally considered. Your career advisor can help you evaluate opportunities that match your skills and interests.
3. Optimize application materials and your online presence.
- Take time to update and refine your resume. Add your recent Proseminar or upcoming FinLab projects to highlight skills you are developing in the MFin Program. Tailor your resume and cover letter to each specific application; small adjustments and customization can make a difference to employers in showcasing your fit and interest for a position. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is current and aligns with your resume.
4. Continue to build and strengthen your network.
- Connect with new contacts and follow up with any that have been helpful in the past. Relationships can lead to job leads and referrals down the line, and networking shows employers you’re proactive. The CDO has many resources to support your networking efforts, from directories to sample emails and questions. Your career advisor is available to review networking messages and help you strategize who to approach and how – sign up for an appointment so we can help you.
5. Follow up on previous applications.
- A friendly follow-up to remind employers of your interest and keep you top-of-mind can sometimes advance your candidacy or give you an update on your status. In your email, briefly restate your enthusiasm for the role and ask if there are any updates. This small step could lead to valuable feedback or even rekindle the hiring process.
