5 Reasons You’re Not Landing a Job (And How to Fix Them)

You’ve been actively applying to jobs, you’ve tailored your resume 37 times, and even uploaded a pretty banner to your LinkedIn profile. All your friends think with your experience and skills, you should have a job offer by now.

But, despite all of this, you’re still not getting the job offers you deserve–you’re not even landing interviews. 

How does that make you feel? Frustrated? 

Like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of rejection? 

Like you should just settle for any kind of job that can keep you out of foreclosure or eviction and forget about career fulfillment?

Read this guide to learn why you’re not landing a job (and, more importantly, how to fix it) before you convince yourself it’s never going to happen.

Ready to take control of your job search? Grab yourself an iced caramel macchiato and your favorite journal—let’s get to work.

Throughout my 13+ years working in HR and recruiting, I’ve seen firsthand why talented women struggle to land high-value jobs, and in this job market the struggles have dramatically increased.  It usually comes down to one (or more) of these five reasons. Understanding what’s holding you back is the first step to making the necessary shifts to get hired.

Reason #1: You’re Applying to Jobs Without a Clear ROI Strategy

You’ve probably heard the saying, "Work smarter, not harder." That applies to job searching too! If you’re sending out hundreds of applications with no real game plan, you’re wasting time and energy.

Right now, women are voicing their frustrations over “ghost jobs”—postings that aren’t actually active—or getting lost in automated applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Do yourself a favor and create a targeted job search strategy with metrics that you will tell you how the strategy is performing.  

The first thing you want to do is create a spreadsheet where you can track all the jobs you apply to. 

Next, you want to set up your metrics.

Focus on roles that align with your skills, experience, and career goals.

Reason #2: You’re Being Too Passive When You Apply

If you’re just submitting applications and waiting for a response, you’re playing defense instead of offense. Women in particular tend to hesitate when it comes to directly reaching out after applying.

The fix? Be proactive. 

• Message the recruiter immediately after submitting your application

• Find the hiring manager on LinkedIn and send a connection request

• Follow up after a week if you haven’t heard back

As a recruiter, I welcomed candidates who took the initiative to reach out—saving me from sifting through hundreds of applications and making my job easier by putting themselves on my radar. This small shift can take you from ignored to noticed in a sea of applicants.

Reason #3: You’re Not Networking Effectively

If you’re relying solely on job applications, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools in job searching: networking.

Personally, my last four jobs came through referrals—people in my network advocating for me in rooms I wasn’t even in, but I understand why some don’t care for it. Women, in particular, report feeling uncomfortable “asking for help” or leveraging their networks, which can hold them back from getting warm introductions to hiring managers.

How to fix it:

• Remove the cringe from networking by shifting your mindset—you're not begging for an opportunity, you're creating a mutual exchange. Do your research on the person to determine how you can offer value, or simply ask, 'How can I support you?'

• Join professional groups and attend networking events to expand your connections.

• Use LinkedIn strategically—comment on industry posts, send personalized connection requests, and engage in relevant conversations.

Remember, networking isn’t about asking for favors—it’s about building relationships and positioning yourself for opportunities.

I recently talked about the Networking Visibility Loop for effective networking in a recent workshop. Watch it below:

Reason #4: You’re Not Positioning Yourself as THE Solution

Let’s be real—if you’re not confident in communicating your value, how will anyone else be? And if your job search mindset is “I just need a job,” you’re thinking about it the wrong way.

Companies don’t hire people just to fill seats. They hire problem solvers. Right now, many women feel overlooked in favor of male candidates with the same qualifications. The key to standing out? Clearly communicate your value.

Many women feel uncomfortable “bragging” about their achievements, but hiring is competitive. If you’re underselling yourself, you’re making it easy to be overlooked.

Shift your messaging to:

• The problems you solve

• How your skills create measurable impact

• Why YOU are the best investment for their team

How?

• Quantify your achievements—don’t just list responsibilities, show results

• Craft powerful interview stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

• Own your expertise—confidence isn’t arrogance, it’s positioning yourself as the only choice

Once you frame yourself as the solution to their needs, you’ll notice a shift in how recruiters respond. Show them why they can’t afford NOT to hire you.

Download the guide below to help you do just that.

Reason #5: You’re Not Working with a Career Coach

Do you feel like you’re doing everything right but still hitting a wall? You might be caught in the same frustrating thought loops, second-guessing your approach, and wondering what you’re missing.

The truth is, navigating today’s job market isn’t just about having the right skills—it’s about positioning yourself effectively. And sometimes, you need an outside perspective to see where things can be improved.

That’s where working with a career coach can change the game. A coach helps you:

• Identify blind spots in your job search strategy

• Optimize your resume, LinkedIn, and interview techniques

• Build confidence in negotiating your salary and advocating for yourself

Many professionals find that the investment in career coaching pays off quickly, often with higher salaries, better job opportunities, and a smoother, faster hiring process.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, let’s get you unstuck and into the role you deserve.

Key Takeaways

You may have noticed that all of these roadblocks are fixable. At first, it may feel frustrating, but with the right adjustments, you CAN land the job you deserve.

I’ve been there. When I finally optimized my job search approach and built a strong personal brand, I went from overlooked to in-demand. Now, I help ambitious professionals do the same.