Struggling to Get a Job? Here’s Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting Calls and How to Fix It

You’ve spent hours crafting your resume, tweaking the wording, and making sure everything looks perfect.

You're applying to dozens of jobs. But despite all your effort, the phone just isn’t ringing.

Sound familiar?

If you’re not getting calls for interviews, it’s not necessarily because you’re underqualified. In many cases,

your resume is working against you,

and you don’t even know it.

Here’s why your resume might be getting passed over and, more importantly,

how you can fix it.

1.  Struggling to Get a Job? Your Resume Isn’t Tailored to the Job Description

The Problem:

A common mistake many job seekers make is sending the same resume to every job. It feels efficient, but in reality, a generic resume gets lost in the crowd. Recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) look for specific keywords that match the job description. If your resume doesn’t match what they’re searching for, it gets ignored.

The Fix:

If you’re struggling to get a job, tailor your resume for each job application. This doesn’t mean rewriting your entire resume every time, but you do need to make strategic adjustments.

Here's how:

• Scan the job description for keywords, especially in the skills and qualifications sections.

• Incorporate those keywords naturally into your resume’s skills, experience, and summary sections.

• Focus on highlighting the skills and accomplishments most relevant to the job.

  
  

Example:

If a job description emphasizes “project management” and “data analysis,” make sure those phrases are front and center in your resume if they apply to your experience. Avoid generic terms like “team player” or “self-motivated” that don’t align with the role.

2. Weak or Vague Headlines and Summaries

The Problem:

Your resume’s headline or summary is one of the first things recruiters see. Yet, too many job seekers waste this valuable real estate with vague or outdated objectives like “Seeking a challenging position to grow my skills.” This doesn’t tell the recruiter what you can bring to their company.

The Fix:

Instead of an objective, use a headline and career summary that showcases your value. Think of this section as your personal elevator pitch. It should highlight your key skills, what you’ve accomplished, and why you’re a great fit for the job.

Example:

Instead of: “Seeking a role in marketing where I can contribute to a growing company.”

Try: “Digital Marketing Specialist | Increased Leads by 50% Through Targeted Campaigns and SEO Strategy.”

The second example tells the recruiter exactly what you do and the impact you’ve had. It’s specific, value-driven, and grabs attention immediately.

3. Lack of Quantifiable Achievements

The Problem:

Many resumes read like a job description: "Managed projects," "Led meetings," "Handled customer issues." But what recruiters really want to know is how you made a difference in your role. Without specific, measurable achievements, your resume is just a list of tasks.

The Fix:

Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible. Numbers grab attention and give context to your responsibilities. For example:

• Did you increase revenue, reduce costs, or improve processes?

• How many projects did you manage, and what were the results?

• How did you improve efficiency or save time?

  
  

Example:

Instead of: “Managed a team of developers.”

Try: “Led a team of 10 developers, reducing project turnaround by 20% and delivering a key product feature two weeks ahead of schedule.”

This example is specific, shows impact, and tells the recruiter exactly how you contributed to the company’s success.

4. Poor Formatting and Readability

The Problem:

A cluttered or overly designed resume is a big turn-off for recruiters and can confuse ATS software. Fancy fonts, graphics, and unnecessary formatting make it harder for both humans and machines to read and understand your resume.

The Fix:

Keep it clean and simple. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Organize your resume into clear sections with easy-to-read headings like "Experience," "Skills," and "Education." Use bullet points to break up text and make it scannable.

Best Practice:

• Avoid graphics, charts, and images, which can confuse ATS.

• Use plenty of white space to keep your resume from feeling overcrowded.

• Stick to black text on a white background for maximum readability.

  
  

Remember, recruiters typically spend just 6-10 seconds scanning a resume. Make it easy for them to find the key information.

5. Not Optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

The Problem:

Most companies use ATS to filter through resumes before a human ever looks at them. If your resume isn’t optimized for ATS, it could be getting discarded without a recruiter even knowing it exists.

The Fix:

To make your resume ATS-friendly, avoid fancy formatting, and use keywords from the job description. Use standard section headers like "Experience," "Skills," and "Education" to ensure ATS can correctly categorize your information.

Example:

• Use a simple, reverse-chronological format.

• Avoid headers, footers, and tables, which can confuse ATS.

• Always save your resume as a .docx or .pdf format (check the job posting for file type preferences).

  
  

By making sure your resume passes through ATS smoothly, you increase your chances of getting in front of a recruiter.

6. Inconsistent or Inaccurate Information

The Problem:

Even small mistakes, like inconsistent dates or job titles, can be a red flag for recruiters. It signals a lack of attention to detail, and worse, it can make them question the accuracy of the rest of your resume.

The Fix:

Go through your resume with a fine-tooth comb. Check for consistency:

• Make sure your job titles match across your resume and LinkedIn profile.

• Ensure that dates of employment are accurate.

• Align your resume with your online profiles (like LinkedIn) to avoid discrepancies.

  
  

Example:

If you list yourself as a “Marketing Manager” on your resume but have “Senior Marketing Specialist” on LinkedIn, that inconsistency could cause confusion and raise doubts.

It’s Time to Fix Your Resume and Start Getting Calls

If your resume isn’t getting you the interview calls you want, it’s time to make some strategic changes. Tailor your resume to each job, emphasize quantifiable achievements, and ensure it’s optimized for ATS software and readability.

By making these adjustments, you’ll significantly increase your chances of standing out to recruiters and getting that all-important call.

Need help optimizing your resume? Let’s work together to create a resume that gets you noticed by both ATS and recruiters, so you can land your next opportunity.