What to Do When You're Not Getting Interviews: Advice for Autistic Job Seekers

It helps to quantify your accomplishments

You’ve followed all the steps: tailoring your resume and cover letter, applying to jobs that fit your skills, and even practicing for interviews. But despite your efforts, you’re not getting interview invitations. It’s a frustrating experience. Let’s explore actionable strategies to help you identify what might be going wrong and how to improve your chances of landing that interview.

Reassess Your Resume and Cover Letter Strategy:

Use Keywords More Strategically

Most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. Ensure your resume includes the keywords and phrases used in the job description. Tools like Jobscan, Resume Worded, and SkillSyncer can help identify what your resume might be missing by analyzing job postings and your application for alignment.

Quantify Your Achievements

Hiring managers are often looking for measurable results. Include specific examples of how you’ve contributed in previous roles. For instance, “Increased efficiency by 25%” or “Completed 50 customer support cases per week with a 95% satisfaction rate” makes your accomplishments tangible.

Check Formatting for ATS

Avoid using complex resume templates, graphics, or tables, as these can confuse ATS software. Stick to a simple format with clear headings, bullet points, and plain text.

Example: Optimizing a Resume for Success

Chris Hsiao, a former consultant who transitioned into product management at Microsoft, credits key adjustments to his resume for helping him stand out. Here’s what he did:

• Used a Data-Driven Approach: Hsiao quantified his accomplishments to make his contributions more tangible. Instead of describing responsibilities in vague terms, he included metrics that highlighted the impact of his work, such as increasing user engagement or driving revenue growth.

• Aligned His Experience with the Role: Hsiao tailored his resume to emphasize the skills and experiences most relevant to product management. He drew on projects from his e-commerce startup to demonstrate his ability to lead initiatives and solve problems creatively.

• Focused on Clarity and Simplicity: His resume was formatted to be ATS-friendly, avoiding overly complex designs and ensuring his key skills and achievements were easily scannable by both software and recruiters.

These changes not only helped him pass through ATS systems but also positioned him as a strong candidate by clearly aligning his background with the role’s requirements. (Source: Business Insider)

Do You Have Limited Experience?

If you don’t have much work experience, focus on transferable skills and experiences from volunteer work, education, or personal projects. Here are some tips:

• Highlight Relevant Coursework or Certifications: Include classes or certifications that align with the skills required for the job, such as Excel, project management, or programming.

• Showcase Personal Projects: If you’ve completed a relevant personal project, such as building a website or organizing a local event, highlight it on your resume.

• Volunteer Work: Volunteering demonstrates teamwork, responsibility, and commitment—all valuable skills to employers.

• Use a Functional Resume Format: This type of resume emphasizes skills over a traditional work history, which can be helpful for recent graduates or those new to the workforce.

Tailor Applications More Closely

Focus on Fewer, High-Quality Applications

It can be tempting to send out dozens of resumes to increase your chances, but quality often trumps quantity. Prioritize tailoring each application to the specific role you’re applying for, addressing all the listed qualifications and responsibilities.

Revisit Job Descriptions

Take another look at the job postings. Are you addressing each key qualification? If a role emphasizes teamwork or leadership, highlight those skills in your application materials.

Network to Get Past ATS Barriers

Leverage LinkedIn Connections

Identify hiring managers or employees at your target companies. A simple, polite message introducing yourself and expressing interest in a role can make a difference. For example:

Hi [Name], I saw that you’re a [Position] at [Company]. I recently applied for [Role] and would love to learn more about your experience there. Any advice you could share would be greatly appreciated.

Ask for Referrals

If you have connections at a company, don’t hesitate to ask for a referral. Many organizations prioritize referred candidates over those who apply cold.

Join Groups and Forums

Participate in online communities for autistic professionals or neurodivergent job seekers. These spaces can be a source of encouragement, advice, and even job leads.

Review Your Online Presence

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and aligns with your resume. Use a professional headshot and write a headline that highlights your strengths, such as “Experienced Data Analyst | Skilled in Python and SQL.”

Check for Inconsistencies

Employers often research candidates online. Ensure your online profiles, such as LinkedIn or GitHub, don’t contradict your resume.

Seek Feedback From Professionals or Peers

Share your resume and cover letters with a career coach, mentor, or trusted peer who understands the challenges autistic job seekers may face. They can provide valuable insights on how to strengthen your applications.

Seek Feedback From Companies

After receiving a rejection, you can sometimes ask for feedback on why you weren’t selected for an interview. Be polite and professional in your request:

Thank you for considering my application for [Role]. If possible, could you provide any feedback on how I might improve for future opportunities?

Explore Additional Resources

Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

If you're finding it difficult to navigate the job application process on your own, your state's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program may be able to help. These programs provide services such as resume assistance, job placement, interview preparation, and even funding for retraining or certifications.

I’ve written a series of articles on LinkedIn about what VR programs offer in each state. Feel free to browse through my past articles or message me directly, and I’d be happy to share the article specific to your state.

Final Thoughts

Rejection is horribly disheartening, but it is an opportunity to refine your strategy and learn what works. By leveraging tools like Jobscan and Resume Worded, tailoring applications carefully, and seeking guidance from trusted peers and professionals, you can increase your chances of landing an interview.