Why Didn’t You Get The Job?

One of the toughest things about job searching is when you don't get the job. You can apply for many jobs, hundreds in some cases, and never hear anything about your application. If you're lucky you may get a rejection letter or email message. If you're not, you get no response from the employer. Or, you could interview for a job and get rejected even though it seemed like everything went really well.

It could be any one of a number of reasons why you didn't get the job and it can be hard to figure out what cost you the chance to get hired. You can ask a recruiter why you weren't chosen and occasionally receive some meaningful feedback. However, in almost all cases, interviewers will either not respond to requests for feedback or will offer a rationale like "Though you were a strong candidate, we found someone who was more qualified."

5 Reasons For Not Getting Selected For An Interview

1.  Were you qualified for the job?

How closely did your background match the qualifications for the job? In a competitive job market, candidates that are an exact or a very close match for the job requirements will get the interview.

2.  Did you make a mistake on your application?

Were all the dates of employment you listed on your application correct? Did you list accurate salary information? Did you leave off any information that should have been included? Some employers verify employment history prior to scheduling interviews. That's one reason why it's important to accurately complete your job applications.

3.  Did you target your resume?

Does your resume showcase skills and accomplishments that are relevant to your target job? Is it clear how you added value in your previous jobs, internships, academic projects and volunteer work?

4. Was your cover letter targeted towards the requirements of the specific job you applied for?

? Did you make it clear that you possessed the desired skills, experience and knowledge to get the job done?

5.  What did your references say?

If you were asked to provide employment references, the employer might have checked with them prior to scheduling an interview. It's important to know that your references are going to give you a good recommendation.

5 Reasons For Not Getting the Job After an Interview

1. Were you dressed appropriately?

First impressions mean a lot, and if you weren't dressed in appropriate interview attire it could cost you the job before you even get into the interview room.

2.  Were you on time and polite to everyone you met?

Manners matter and being late for an interview or rude to a receptionist can cost you the job. Make sure you're aware of proper job interview etiquette before you head out the door.

3.  Did you convey genuine enthusiasm for the work throughout the interview?

All things being equal, employers will often hire the most motivated candidate who they think would invest the most energy into the job.

4.  Did you research the company?

Did you take the time to find out as much as possible about the company and the job you were being considered for? Employers expect you to have done your homework.

5.  Were you prepared for the interview?

Were you ready to answer interview questions? Did you have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer?