Why You’re Not Getting Interviews—And What to Do About It (Especially as a Working Mom)

It’s not your resume. It’s not your gap. It’s the system and the strategy that need to actually work for your life.

So…..let’s start here with this doozy of an image. 

You’ve applied for what feels like 87 jobs in 6 days with the same exact 4 page resume (wait is it actually a CV?!?!).

You’ve updated your resume more times than you’ve googled “best Loreal mascara” while at the playground with your kiddo. 

You’ve downloaded free templates from random sites, said the affirmations (dear sweet bebe Jesu I need this), posted the LinkedIn update (#opentowork), and still… absolutely bloody nothing.

You’re getting not a single interview. Nary a callback.  And when you FINALLY hear news…..it’s actually just one more rejection email that reads like a “it’s not me it’s  you we’re breaking up” text.

RRRRRRRR. And I can only guess some of the thoughts that’ve gone through your mind are:

“Maybe I’m just not cut out for a better job right now…”
“I should be grateful I even have a job…”
“It’s probably the gap. Or the fact that I log off for daycare pickup. Or that I’m tired all the time. Or that….”

Oh hush, negative thoughts. Girl: lemme tell you this with my whole size 38D chest: you’re not alone. You’re not alone! At all! We’ve all gone through this! AAANNNNNNDDDDD you’re also not the problem. Do you know what actually is the problem? Vegan Chia Seed Pudding. 

I digress. 

Why the Job Search Feels Broken But Isn’t (You’re Just Using the Wrong Tools)

The. Job. Market. Is. TTTTRRRRASSSSSHHHHHH. AF.  

Like you’re working a full-time paid job and doing full-time bathtime duty at home. So when the kids are down, you really want to spend some sexy sexy time with your partner BUT you can’t get in the mood cause you’re so nervous about your job search.

So you instead start scrolling LinkedIn and keep seeing “100+ people applied”…and your face keeps getting warmer. But everyone says LinkedIn is the holy grail in job searching so seeing that hundreds of people have applied for the role feels so exhausting. 

And then—on top of all of that—you’re also being told by “people” or really just random LinkedIn influencers that if you’re not landing interviews, it must be a you problem. That if you just fixed your mindset, optimized your resume, or tried a little harder… the doors would magically open.

That’s as real as Nick Cannon’s family planning method.

Let’s break down the real reasons why you’re not getting interviews especially if you’re a working mom trying to build a career that fits your life, not just what 22 year old you decided to do. 

1. You’re Applying to Every Job—But Not Getting Interviews

Most of my clients come to me feeling like they’re throwing cheap, off-brand spaghetti at the wall. Applying for anything that seems close enough (girl it ain’t close). Hoping something. Anything! Sticks. And because they’re exhausted cause damn working is EXHAUSTING and yay we love kids but being a parent is EXHAUSTING, they’re applying out of fear and urgency: not clarity.

This MATTERS because without clear role targets and values alignment, your resume sounds like a “generalist” instead of a specialist who is the most obvious candidate for a role. And girl:  generalists get overlooked. Hiring managers want to know you want this role, not just a role.

What you should do instead is and I know this is going to feel like an epidural but: pause the applications. Yes. Take a pause. YOu need to get clear on your must-haves, dealbreakers, and actual role targets first. What do you need in this next season? What’s your ideal workload, flexibility level, compensation range, and growth path?

Not sure where to start? My newsletter breaks this all down weekly in bite-sized pieces. Join here!

2. Your Resume Is Perfect on Paper—But Still Getting Ghosted

This is also for my Type B ladies. You followed all the job search robotic rules {insert image in your head of a robot writing a resume}. The fonts are as clean as a Russian manicure. Grammar is tight (like my quads). You listed every job duty with verbs like “collaborated” and “executed.” Look at you, Madame Thesaurus!

But here’s the thing: hiring managers don’t want a robot. Yeah. They don’t. A robot doesn’t stand out (and literally isn’t human). They want someone whose story makes sense and whose value is obvious.

This matters because your resume isn’t just a record of what you’ve done: it’s a sales tool. It needs to show the throughlines of your experience, how you solve problems, and how you make things better.

So instead, what I want you to do girl, is completely swap job duties for impact. Start with verbs like “Led,” “Revamped,” “Increased,” or “Reduced.” End each bullet with a result. And tailor the summary section to speak directly to your next career move: not your entire working past.

3. You’re Job Searching in 10-Minute Bursts—And Burning Out Fast

Can I be Wendy Williams type real with you?  Most moms are giving as much energy to their hot pilates class as they are to the job search. Because it feels vulnerable and feels like yikes I’m putting myself out there visibly and opening myself up to judgement, I’ll push it to the margins of their day.

So you search in between meetings. While reheating coffee. At 11 p.m. when the house is finally quiet but you’re obviously like oh no I can only do this in 15 minutes cause bedtime!

You’re not showing up with confidence. You’re scared. You’re more likely to plan out your outfits with intentionally than attack your job search with any strategy.  

This is sooo important and matters because you’re probaby ashamed of being where you are. But girl: shame dies when you own your career pivot and tell your job story in safe places under YOUR own control. So when you start making your job seach fee like another full-time job, you literally drain yourself before you hit “submit” on your first application.  

So. I want you to simplify your strategy. Instead of applying to 10 roles a week, focus on 2-3 high-fit roles and use that time to craft tailored materials.  Or? Sign up for my newsletter and I’ll walk you through my signature RESET Method™, one piece at a time. Join here !

So what now?

If you’re reading this while hiding in the bathroom or sitting in your parked car for five more minutes of silence, yeah, me too. Nice to meet you. 

The job search feels hard because it is. 

BUT. I have this saying that I posted in my bathroom. 

“The last troke of the hammer breaks a stone. This doesn’t mean that the first stroke is useless. Success is the result of continuous strategic small effort.” 

So girl. You are more than qualified. Any career break that you’ve taken was worth it and necessary. Not because you’re not qualified. Not because you took a break. Not because you’re not trying hard enough.

It feels hard because you’re navigating a broken system, raising small humans, managing a mental load no one sees, and trying to build a life that feels like yours again.

So the next time you’re tempted to believe that you’re the issue, remember this:

• You are not behind.
  
• You are not unqualified.
  
• You are just ready for a better way.
  

One that actually fits the beautiful, full-ass life you’re living.

And that’s exactly what I’ll be sharing every Monday morning in my newsletter. Real tools, real talk, and real strategy (minus the hustle culture nonsense, cause bleh).

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In your corner and always at your table,
Jane

💛 Jane’s Favorites This Week:

🏋🏾‍♀️ Getting back in the gym with Meg Squats’s program
Your girl has been slacking on her hot mom body goals this summer, but Meg’s programming is giving me structure, sass, and sore hamstrings in the best way. We’re back, baby.

🧠 A non-overstimulating busy board for my autistic son
We found one that keeps our little hands busy without turning our living room into a rave. Quiet, sensory-friendly, and actually useful: 10/10.

📺 Watching “The Hunting Wives”
I have no explanation other than: suburban chaos, secret affairs, Southern accents, and murder?? Say less. This show is pure, indulgent mess and I’m obsessed.