Why can't I get interviews?

[Al B. Sure!]

"After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that you have not been selected for this position."

All I ever get. What careful consideration? I never even get phone interviews. They dismiss my resume alone.

I even had a job guaranteed. My friend works at a hotel and they had an opening for a bellhop. Before the position was officially open (posted online; it was posted the next day specifically for me to apply to because the company requires online applications; more on this later), I spoke to his manager and we got the ball rolling. I interviewed with HR. It was all an obvious formality since they were going to hire me and even said as much. They said they trusted my friend implicitly and since he suggested me, I'm in. But my friend said his manager would ask him questions like "Why is he applying to be a part-time bellman?" and "Is he going to quit in five minutes?"; he obviously gave answers that would keep them interested. They actually pay close to what I was making at Wells Fargo, anyway, so it's really not bad. However, it's been 3 weeks and counting and they still haven't called me for my first day of work. Now I'm understanding why places like Rite Aid and Staples reject me without even speaking to me. If a job I had an 'in' with plays around, of course other jobs won't even consider an interview.

I applied to Comcast, also mentioning on the application I was referred by another friend who told me they were in a hiring frenzy. Nope. A dollar store chain, also told by a friend that my experience (which exceeded his) would guarantee my hiring if I applied. Nope. Applied to BNY Mellon where that former dollar store employee currently works and he also said they have a ton of openings, nope.

Partially I blame the online-only nature of job applications now. I wish I could just go in with a resume and a suit and speak to the manager or HR and they be receptive. I've done it but I always get the 'We only accept resumes online'. At the very least, it would show I mean business.

But clearly the bulk of the blame is on me. But why? They reject me based on only two things: my resume and cover-letter.

Here's my resume:

Spoiler:

EDUCATION: TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Fox School of Business, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Business Administration, magna *** laude
Major: Finance Minor: Economics
GPA: 3.66, Dean’s List: Fall ’03-Spring ’04, Fall ’05-Fall ’07
2nd Place, Temple University Business Policy Competition, class of 2008
Member, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society


EXPERIENCE: Wells Fargo July 2011- October 2011
Teller
• Worked with personal bankers to assist clients in achieving financial goals
• Recognized for sales performance in ‘Star Teller’ program

Checkers Drive-Thru Restaurant Dec 2004 - Nov 2007, April 2011- June 2011
Assistant Manager
• Created weekly shift schedules and managed inventory for quick-serve restaurant with annual sales in excess of $1 million
• Regularly maintained labor costs lower than 15% of sales
• Managed at five different locations in Philadelphia

Sodexo, Philadelphia, PA August 2006 - January 2010
Manager, Sodexo Campus Dining Services at Temple University
• Manager with both opening and closing responsibilities at campus food court with annual sales in excess of $12 million
• Promoted from administrative role to management
• Supervised 120 union employees at main operation as well as field locations

Wachovia, Philadelphia, PA March 2008 - October 2008
Lockbox Data Entry Associate
• Received numerous commendations and bonuses for accuracy and speed in a deadline production environment

Here's the cover-letter to the BNY Mellon position:

Spoiler:

I am writing to express interest in the entry-level asset servicing/accounting position. I am a graduate from Temple University. My courses in investments and accounting have provided me a foundation upon which I can add the skills and traditions taught by BNY Mellon.
Unlike most recent graduates, I have several years of management experience which has allowed me to view the bigger picture of an operation and my role within it. This experience includes many years in customer service roles. I am confident that as I gain increased responsibilities, I will provide excellent client interaction to enhance the reputation of the BNY Mellon brand among existing and potential clients.
I have enclosed my resume for your review. Thank you for your consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Help me out. What big mistake am I making?


Thanks

[giblets]

I think they're assuming you will quit in three or four months because you keep quitting or getting fired in that amount of time. Not to mention that with a college degree you're overqualified for the jobs you apply for. They don't want to waste money training you when they can just hire someone else. I guess you could try promising you intend to stay on the job long term in your cover letter.

Maybe find a friend who can recommend you for a job that actually wants someone with a college degree.

[Al B. Sure!]

I think they're assuming you will quit in three or four months because you keep quitting or getting fired in that amount of time. Not to mention that with a college degree you're overqualified for the jobs you apply for. They don't want to waste money training you when they can just hire someone else. I guess you could try promising you intend to stay on the job long term in your cover letter.

The BNY Mellon job required a bachelor's in a business field but no other experience. It's entry-level for a college grad.

And I don't keep staying at a job short-term. If they're really looking that attentively at my resume, they would see I worked for two companies for 3+ years each.

[Elok]

It's a crummy economy and you're living in an urban area with lots and lots of unemployed people. I wouldn't trust any "guarantees" for anything.

[C0ckney]

if i were hiring people to be bellhops or work in a dollar store, i would think that you were overqualified and that you would leave the second you found something better.

[Al B. Sure!]

if i were hiring people to be bellhops or work in a dollar store, i would think that you were overqualified and that you would leave the second you found something better.

I actually did hiring for similar positions and the turnover is crazy (in fact, my friend says the turnover at the hotel is ridiculous) but there's also an abundance of people looking for work. You need someone? Go through the application stack or just ask an employee if they know anyone. The cost of hiring is also very small in such jobs.

So that means even if I were to quit quickly, it's really no skin off their back (maybe they think it is, but it's not), and it would not be atypical for the position.

[C0ckney]

sure, but even so, if i were that position i would still hire someone who has a greater chance of sticking around for while, as opposed to someone who is obviously overqualified.

[Al B. Sure!]

sure, but even so, if i were that position i would still hire someone who has a greater chance of sticking around for while, as opposed to someone who is obviously overqualified.

So I'm overqualified for half the jobs and underqualified for the rest? What gives with the banking jobs? Wells Fargo gave me an interview (maybe partially because I used to work for Wachovia) but the other banks didn't interview me to be a teller. So Wells Fargo thought I was qualified to be a teller, but no other bank does. What gives?

[Zoetstofzoetje]

1. why you are interested in the position
2. how your skills and experience match that position specifically
3. demonstrate desire to contribute to company and career therein

sending f*ck-you letters to previous employers (life is about more than burgers yo!) does not help. the place you apply to now is going to call those previous employers.

your CV shouts 'underperformer' btw.

[Al B. Sure!]

1. why you are interested in the position
2. how your skills and experience match that position specifically
3. demonstrate desire to contribute to company and career therein

sending f*ck-you letters to previous employers (life is about more than burgers yo!) does not help. the place you apply to now is going to call those previous employers.

your CV shouts 'underperformer' btw.

No. They don't call them. Do you know how HR managers are? They're too lazy to call previous employers even if they have the phone number readily available. And guess what? I don't supply those phone numbers on apps so I know they're not looking in phone books. They're not doing that much work. There's no calling of the one job I left on bad terms with (a job I worked at for nearly 4 years!) going on.

How am I an 'underperformer' when I got promoted in every job and received commendations?

Everywhere but Sodexo, I was constantly praised. I honestly thought me cursing at Wells Fargo wasn't even going to be an issue because I was the top performer. My first day, my manager switched me to full-time.

If I'm an underperformer because of my degree, well that's the problem I'm trying to solve here by getting a job!

[Elok]

So I'm overqualified for half the jobs and underqualified for the rest?

They screw you coming AND going. Just be glad you're not me; I have no job skills whatever except some time at the Census doing office work. And that was two years ago...

[giblets]

And I don't keep staying at a job short-term. If they're really looking that attentively at my resume, they would see I worked for two companies for 3+ years each.

Well yippee, I doubt that will do you much good if the other applicants aren't people who quit in a few months for half the jobs they get.

[C0ckney]

elok, why did you go back to the states? was teaching in peru not working out for you?

[MRT144]

It's a crummy economy and you're living in an urban area with lots and lots of unemployed people. I wouldn't trust any "guarantees" for anything.

Exactly. My wife has been applying for several jobs in the hotel industry and there are 200+ applicants.

[C0ckney]

So I'm overqualified for half the jobs and underqualified for the rest?

yes, that pretty much sums it up unfortunately.

What gives with the banking jobs? Wells Fargo gave me an interview (maybe partially because I used to work for Wachovia) but the other banks didn't interview me to be a teller. So Wells Fargo thought I was qualified to be a teller, but no other bank does. What gives?

no idea. perhaps they had a lot of similar candidates and you got lucky with one and not with some others.