3 reasons why you won't get an interview with the best tech companies... and the solutions

I meet with some really talented technologists all the time. Sometimes for some reason, they can't seem to get to the table for a 1st round interview with the companies they want to.

Below are three reasons why you won’t get an interview and simple solutions which will help you get your profile in better shape.

1. Your CV is terrible

Yes you heard me and the best recruiters will tell you this straight. Don't get offended as you’re much better off hearing this at the start as it’s an easy enough fix. Your CV represents you, so the layout, format and spelling must all be perfect. For software developers, it's key that you list your technologies however don't overdo it. The mistake most make is they don't put it into context, in particular if you have used a certain technology that the prospective company are actually looking for, it needs to be in your CV and an example of how and when you used it. If you would like a sample of a good CV template, please don't hesitate to get in touch. At Morgan McKinley, we will offer CV formatting assistance for every candidate we work with.

2. Your LinkedIn profile is not up-to-date

This is also a representation of you and it’s the first thing people now cross reference once they have your CV. A really good tip is to make sure you have some good recommendations on your profile, ideally from senior tech leaders you worked for in that past. This will really give you the edge. Also put something personal up about you on the profile that perhaps isn't on your CV. People like to see the human side of a person too.

Quick tip - For those of you that don’t want your current employer to think you're looking, make sure you turn off the privacy button within your settings as per below.

3. Not future-proofing your skills

You have worked in the same company for several years and you haven't updated any of your tech skills at all. There is nothing wrong with being loyal, in fact it’s a really good thing in most cases. However the downside of that is you can become slightly institutionalised... on paper anyway. Make sure you're still growing your skill-set and getting certified in the latest relevant technology courses. There are heaps to choose from out there and we can tell you which ones employers generally prefer or recognise at the moment.

If you have all of these three right before you kick off your job search, you will be much more likely to get an interview at the leading tech companies you want to get into in Toronto. The good news is they are all quite easy fixes and we can help you throughout the process.