Why You’re Not Getting Interviews (And How to Fix It)

You’ve updated your CV. You’ve applied for dozens of roles. You’re checking your inbox daily but still, crickets.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Thousands of professionals get stuck in this cycle every month, wondering what they’re missing and when I talk with clients they are bewildered as to why when they are a great fit to the opportunity they aren’t hearing back.

Not getting interviews is rarely about just one thing. It’s usually a mix of small factors that, together, make a big difference. The good news? You can fix most of them.

1. You’re Aiming Too Broad - or Too Narrow

Sometimes, I see that job seekers cast the net too wide: applying for anything that looks vaguely relevant. Other times, they focus too narrowly, aiming for a single type of job title or company. Or they panic and apply for everything with no plan in mind other than to get a job.

Either way, your CV ends up being too generic or too restrictive.

Fix it: Choose a clear target role; ideally two or three titles that describe the kind of work you want. Then tailor your CV and LinkedIn profile around those. If you’re not sure where to start, try analysing three recent adverts for roles you’d love. Look for repeated phrases and responsibilities. Those are your core themes.

2. You’re Telling the Wrong Story

Your CV might be polished, but is it aligned with what hiring managers care about?

Recruiters aren’t just scanning for skills - they’re scanning for fit. They’re asking, “Does this person look like they can solve the problem we have right now?”

If your CV leads with old experience, outdated skills, or irrelevant details, it sends the wrong signal.

Fix it: Reorder your achievements so that the most relevant and recent come first. Highlight transferable skills - things like leadership, communication, problem-solving - and connect them clearly to the job you’re applying for.

3. Your LinkedIn Profile Doesn’t Match

Even if your CV gets shortlisted, many recruiters will check your LinkedIn before inviting you to interview. If it’s outdated, inconsistent, or barely there, they may hesitate.

LinkedIn Headline Layout

• Recruiter search now heavily weights headlines for both keywords and value: the best headlines go beyond titles. Suggested formula: Job Title + Expertise + Key Skills/Results + Value Proposition or “I help” statement.​

• Add measurable outcomes or unique skills if possible, staying under 220 characters, and always include core keywords that match your target roles.​

Fix it: Make sure your headline, About section, and most recent roles mirror the same message as your CV. Add a clear photo, a custom banner, and a few key results in your job descriptions. You don’t need to post every day, but you do need to show you’re active.

4. You’re Not Tailoring Enough

In my experience this is one of the biggest reasons people get no response. A CV that looks “good” in general may still feel too vague for specific jobs.

Hiring managers want to feel you’ve read the advert and understood what matters most to them.

Fix it: Customise the top section of your CV - your profile and key skills - for each application. It doesn’t take a long time, but it can double your chances of being shortlisted.

Look at the language the employer uses in their advert and reflect it naturally in your profile. If they mention “stakeholder engagement” or “service delivery,” include those phrases where relevant. Mirroring is highly effective for people who are scanning……!

5. You’re Missing the Visibility Piece

Sometimes the issue isn’t your CV at all- it’s that no one’s seeing it. Many great candidates rely solely on job boards, missing the power of networking, referrals, or recruiter outreach.

Fix it:

• Follow and connect with recruiters in your sector.

• Comment on posts by hiring managers or company pages.

• Let your network know you’re exploring new roles (confidentially if needed).

A short LinkedIn post saying you’re open to opportunities and adding the open to work banner can spark conversations that could never happen through an online portal.

6. Not optimising skills & Keywords

• The AI-powered “Job Match” tool now analyses your full experience and skills, not just keywords or titles to assess your fit for jobs and highlight opportunities you may otherwise miss. This is created to help job seekers see exactly where they align (or fall short) for posted roles, with actionable suggestions to close gaps.

• Recruiter and algorithm search results are increasingly skills-focused (thanks to a massive rise in skills added to profiles), so keeping the “Skills” section up to date is critical. Add both hard and soft skills to match emerging job requirements and appear in more recruiter searches.

Fix it: Get your skills up to date. Use all 50!

7. You’ve Lost Confidence- and It Shows

When rejections pile up, it’s natural for your confidence to dip. That can creep into your applications through cautious language or underselling your results and at interview through body language being too much or too little.

Fix it: Review your achievements with fresh eyes. Ask yourself: “Where have I made a measurable difference?” Then bring those examples forward.

If you’ve not done this in a while, tools like our Career Blueprint Course can help you reconnect with your strengths before rewriting your CV.

In summary

If your job search has stalled, it doesn’t mean you’re not qualified. It means your approach needs a tune-up.

Your next role is out there- but it takes clarity, consistency, and confidence to get noticed.

Start by checking your CV and LinkedIn alignment, refining your target roles, and adding a little more of you into the story.

If you’re ready for a step-by-step reset, explore our CV in a Day Course or LinkedIn Optimisation Toolkit built to help you move from silence to interviews with confidence.

Remember, job searching is a process and its one you can influence with clarity, consistency, and the right strategy. Small adjustments truly add up. If you’re ready to move forward with a CV and approach that gets you noticed, don’t hesitate to reach out or explore the tools and courses linked above.

You’ve got this, and support is always here when you need it!

To your success!

Denise Matthews

Career Coach; ElevateyourCV.UK