Ask Ella: My Interviews Don't Become Jobs

Dear Ella,

I graduated from college in May 2006 with a degree in marketing and can't find a job.

I have answered job postings online and have tried contacting agencies in the area about full-time or part-time work or an internship. I am complimented about my experience and get interviews, but no one wants to hire me. I'm either told they hired someone with more experience or never hear back from them.

I'm getting very frustrated, and I am at my wit's end. What can I do to get a job?

Dear Tell Me What I Want To Hear,

Since you are getting the interviews, the difficulty you're having is with the interview itself.

I suspect you're good at building a bridge of camaraderie between you and your interviewers, but not as good at building a case for why they would want to hire you.

You mention in your letter that interviewers regularly compliment you on your experience. If you haven't been able to find a job or an internship since college, what experience are you referring to?

If you're using the word "experience" to refer to your classroom training, then you're highlighting your lack of business savvy and, in a way, insulting the intelligence of your interviewer. Stop trying to be someone you're obviously not, and instead concentrate on what you want to achieve with your education and how the company can help you accomplish and fine-tune these goals.

Prepare to demonstrate, through conversation and through samples of your best classroom work, an effective communication style and a solid understanding of the business and its challenges, along with reasons behind your decision to pursue marketing as a career.

Give your interviewers insight into your education, core intelligence and capacity to learn quickly, and they'll be able to make their hiring decision based on your valuable raw material and not the empty information you've been pulling out of your hat.

Through genuine, candid and open dialogue, you may be able to touch upon common ground with your interviewer and build an inside cheerleader who will advocate your hire.

Private Career Coaching Workshop With Ella Kallish

• How To Write A Resume
• How To Market A Resume
• How To Follow Up On A Resume Sent
• Beginning, Middle And End: An Interviewing Strategy
• Program Provides Opportunity For Continuing Ed
A Thought: Documenting Your Work Life

All Rights Reserved by Ella Kallish
Written By Ella Kallish
For more information on Ella Kallish go to AskElla.com.
Ella Kallish is available for corporate and group seminars.