20 Reasons Why You are Not Getting Hired (with Solutions)

By Sruthy

By Sruthy

Sruthy, with her 10+ years of experience, is a dynamic professional who seamlessly blends her creative soul with technical prowess. With a Technical Degree in Graphics Design and Communications and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Communication, she brings a unique combination of artistic flair…

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 Updated March 7, 2024

Read this guide to understand the possible reasons for solutions to one common question – Why You are Not Getting Hired:

You are landing interviews left and right. Despite being educated and having a full resume, you have hit a bad luck bar while looking for a job.

It is devastating, frustrating, and juvenile when you are being ghosted by employers/interviewers. Ghosting during the “hiring process” can happen more often than it should be.

In most cases, you will not know the reason – why can’t I get a job?

This is the disheartening but bitter truth. But remember the best part of it. It is not always your fault. So do not get disappointed. There are an infinite number of complex reasons we get rejected.

WHY AM I NOT GETTING HIRED

At this point, you may start to rationalize your lack of employment by blaming outside influences:

“Market is tough right now.”

“There are not many opportunities in the job market.”

“There’s too much competition.”

The truth is that most of the reasons are something YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER.

Even the market is tough, the reality is people are still getting hired. So, there is something which is leading you to think: why am I not getting job offers. But arm yourself with as much knowledge about the process and avoid rejections as possible.

Don’t let this list make you nervous.

Not Getting Hired: Reasons & Solutions

#1) Omission

Your resume simply screams – it’s your robot’s fault.

Your resume is what’s going to get your foot in the door. Too often we scramble to make our resume, trying to meet the deadline to apply for the job. Even worse, when you try to re-hash it for multiple positions.

As many of you might not know when you apply online, it goes through ATS (Application Tracking System) which works by filtering the keywords. Many times, the system automatically rejects your application.

When you’ve read (and reread) your resume so often, it’s more likely you’ll miss some significant issues. A cover letter is a must along with your resume.

resume

  • Don’ts/Mission Statements
    • You ignored the job description and accordingly tailored your resume.
    • You did not know your resume inside out. You did not add keywords to get your resume shortlisted.
    • You made silly mistakes, typo errors as it leaves bad impressions and the recruiter will know that you are not paying attention to details.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Using keywords in your resume could be your ticket to your next interview. Highlight and add the appropriate keywords as per the JD.
    • Make your resume concise and clear. Polish your resume and make it shine. Use Grammarly or similar websites to fix your typos/errors.
    • Do not lie on your resume, it will ruin your reputation and will be more difficult to land the job.

#2) Faux Pas

Your attitude needs adjusting – neglecting your body language

A professional attitude from the get-go is a great indicator of a good employee. You are being judged on how you behave during the hiring process and not only during the interview. Starting a hiring process with the wrong demeanor can sabotage the process before it begins. Attitude is everything and can cause a person to be challenged to work with a team.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statements
    • Stepping into an interview can often lead to nervousness and a bit of intimidation. This can set the stage for a poor interview.
    • Lacking characteristics like gratitude, team player, and overall likability will surely reduce your odds of getting that job.
    • Inappropriate, negative behaviors can sway the interviewer against even the best resume and skill set.
  • Do’s /Revamp
    • Exhibit a positive, confident attitude as it is important and perhaps more important than your work experience. Go with a relaxed and upbeat attitude.
    • Arrive early, dress up professionally, keep a smiling face and give the interviewer full attention. Use cologne or perfume -deodorant is a must. Be mindful of the in-person interview.
    • Be polite while communicating via emails or talking to the receptionist, during the hiring process. Do not use slang or foul language.

#3) Slip up

You are desperate and over-optimistic

There is a misconception among young professionals that if they portray confidence, they will get a job. Of course, employers want people who are ambitious but be careful not to oversell yourself.

slip up

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Avoid sounding desperate with the language you use and try not to be too extreme with your answers.
    • If you are just out of college do not expect to get a spot in a management role.
    • Do not apply for jobs outside the scope of experience you have.
  • Do’s /Revamp
    • Try to stick to your bounds of experience and find options better suited for your expertise.
    • Outline your strengths, but be humble when talking about your accomplishments. No one wants to hear about you, how awesome you are and what you single-handedly saved the last company.
    • Rather than stating that you will do anything to land the job, focus instead on how you have the right experience or education to land the job.

#4) Solecism

You freak out the hiring manager

Getting a job is not only about meeting your qualification or education. It’s also about someone who hiring managers want to hire. They try to find out whether you understand business norms at every stage of the hiring process or not.

  • Don’ts Mission Statement
    • Sending flowers or gifts to the hiring managers.
    • Showing up without an appointment.
    • Reading your answers word to word from the notes during the interview.
  • Do’s /Revamp
    • Do not try to bribe your hiring manager.
    • Do not put weird email addresses on your resume. Example – uuuadddkful1923@yahoo.com.
    • If you want to talk or meet your hiring manager, make an appointment via email.

#5) Misinterpretation

You don’t sell yourself

Many people are scared to talk about themselves. Sell yourself in the interview process and be daunting. Your body language needs to reinforce what you are selling. Your goal is to present yourself as a solution to their problem.

  • Don’ts /Mission Statement
    • Do not make the interviewer feel you are hiding something from them.
    • Do not sell yourself as the wrong person for the job.
    • Do not control the conversation with the mindset that you will end up getting a job offer.
  • Do’s /Revamp
    • Focus on the uncommon things you offer.
    • Prepare examples of past accomplishments.
    • Showcase how you will add value to the company.

#6) Inaccuracy

Your interviewing skills need improvements

Interviewing involves a whole set of skills that can be completely separate from the skills you need for the actual job. The first interview is one of the most pivotal moments in the hiring process.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Do not ghost the interviewer.
    • Do not interrupt the interviewer by asking irrelevant questions.
    • Do not whisper or make faces or play on your phone.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Focus on the uncommon things you offer.
    • Keep your mobile phone in silence or vibration.
    • Be ready for a behavioral interview. Keep your communication clear and succinct.

#7) Blunder

You need an industry connection – no network

It is hard to be passionate about a job when you have no connection to the company. Having industry connections can be helpful/beneficial to the applicants. One benefit is to request referrals, as many companies offer referral programs. It is not what you know, it’s who you know.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Don’t confuse new connections with your pitch.
    • Avoid being socially Inept.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Get on professional networking platforms – LinkedIn.
    • Try to connect to the current employees from the prospective employer.
    • Broaden your understanding of the current industry.

#8) Misconception

You need a presence on social media- spruce up your online presence

What we post, comment, and share on social media present sketches of who we are. In a competitive market, employers can reject your profiles for any reason. There are 3 main platforms employers are likely to check: LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Don’t post any misogynistic comments on your profile.
    • Do not delete your social media, personal account in fear, as it implies that you have something to hide.
    • Do not post anything which can be a red flag on your social media. You might end up with no pile.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Keep your social media account clean.
    • Try to limit your political views.
    • Consider making personal accounts private.

#9) False move

You look like a job hopper

It is important to remember/know how often you changed your jobs in the past. In today’s economy, hopping from one job to another is very common. Most of us have jobs hopped, especially if we are young or in college.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Do not add experience where you worked only for 2-3 months, as it can be a red flag for employers and they will not want to waste time, money to call you for an interview.
    • Do not make it the focus of your resume or cover letter or it will ruin your first impression
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • If your jobs are related to the positions you are applying for, make it concise in your resume. Meaning just listing out the company name as ‘various’ and listing out the positions you worked in.
    • If you hopped different jobs while you were a student, you can let the hiring manager know you held a few short terms jobs but now you are looking for FTE positions.

#10) False Step

You are showing a lack of passion – lacking confidence

If you want to land the job, then it’s time to show the recruiter/hiring manager. Lack of passion will put them down and they will decide to eliminate your profile. Keep in mind if you are passionate about something it shows on your face. Employers know skills can always be taught, but that passion is either there or it’s not.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • If the hiring manager calls, and if you miss the call, make sure to call them back
    • Do not wait for the hiring manager to come back to you after your interview. Send a follow-up email.
    • Do not pretend to be pumped up, pretend to be passionate as it still shows up on your face, and remember hiring manager will know from your body language.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Show the employer you want to get hired.
    • Format questions before the interview.
    • At the end of the interview, ask them what is the best way to follow up. Do your best to secure the contact information of the respective person.

#11) Miss

You lack a personal ‘Buy-In’ in the company

You are seeking a job in a company and desperate to apply. You may miss the critical step here, which is important for you to know is – know what the company does.

  • Don’ts /Mission Statement
    • You knew nothing about the company when you went for the interview.
    • You applied to all the roles in the company and now they take you seriously for nothing.
  • Do’s /Revamp
    • Research the company before you move forward with the hiring process. Try to know who the CEO is and where is the company base.
    • Apply to the role only where you are fit based on your experience.
    • You should have a good grasp of the publicly available information.

#12) Underestimation

You are undervaluing your talents

At its best, work is much more than just a place to earn a paycheck. It is a place where we can grow professionally and personally. Job searching is one of the most important times to show confidence and pride in your skills, knowledge, and education.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • If you don’t demonstrate your role’s greatest strengths and accomplishments, you may be overlooked for a role you are otherwise well-suited for.
    • Do not underestimate your talent by looking at others. Remember, the grass is always green on another side.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Add the traits and achievements to show the value you bring to a company and showcase that in your resume.
    • Improve your ability to market yourself by first understanding what your great strengths are. Trust yourself.

#13) Misjudgment

You have unrealistic salary expectations

Are you sure that what you are expecting is realistic? There is nothing wrong to rate yourself high and demanding for high salary. Going into the interview explaining your needs and showing flexibility gives employers the positive impression that you are adaptable.

  • Don’ts /Mission Statement
    • Do not demand a high salary by rating yourself too high.
    • Do not act pricy and turn off the recruiters by demanding unrealistic hikes.
  • Do’s /Revamp
    • Do your research, find out the salary range those jobs like yours pay in your area, and be willing to negotiate for the best deal you can get.
    • Be flexible and realistic. Try to negotiate.

#14) Not your fault

Requisition of the position was canceled

There may be a situation where your hiring manager interviewed you, analyzed your profile, selected you as a stand-up person for the job, but he got word from the management that there was a freeze on all new hires for the foreseeable future.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • All I can say here is do not get disappointed. Do not let these setbacks shake your confidence. As in such cases, you weren’t selected doesn’t have anything to do with your capability.
    • Do not give up, think it is just hard luck.
    • Do not forget to follow up with them.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Make sure to follow up with the hiring manager in case the freeze is opened.
    • All you can do is prepare as best you can for every job interview and make an enthusiastic and professional case for your candidacy.

#15) Just Hard Luck

Keep going it must be your hard luck

Sometimes it is just your luck or something over your control may go wrong. Like there is a better candidate who had more education than you or maybe that sometimes there is just a freeze on the new hires.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Do not give up, keep trying and I am sure you will land a job that you dreamt of.
    • Do not just put yourself down by underestimating, or just blaming someone who is not even responsible.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • We do not always know what a company is precisely looking for (apart from the job description), or if there is another candidate that fits the role better than you do.
    • This is life and we do not always understand why things happen the way they do, but the important thing to remember in this situation is that something better will come up.
    • Good companies get a lot of applicants. It’s possible you did everything right, got to the end of the process with a few other candidates, and the company had to make a tough choice and went with someone else.

#16) Wrongdoing

Playing a victim

Some candidates seem to have the worst luck in everything. They had to leave the job because their parents were ill or due to their health issues.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Do not talk about your life as if it is a series of events that can lead to spreading negativity and it can be worrisome.
    • Do not expect your manager, hiring manager, to listen to your personal life stories and deal with them all the time especially when you are new, and you have not yet proven your skills.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Try to make their job easier.
    • Try to work through the problems as they crop up.
    • Keep your personal life separate from your professional life.

#17) Fault

Your references suck

Not to be too harsh here, but if your references don’t display credibility, they may harm your chance to get hired. You go to have people who can testify about your work ethic and professionalism. Trust your references.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Do not use your spouse as an employer.
    • If you do not have enough professional references, it’s time to find out good references.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Often the reason you are not getting hired is lack of reference. So, make sure to add references to your resume.
    • Having references and recommendations will help your chances of landing the job. Aim to seek quality references such as previous employers, supervisors, clients, government employees, or those active in the local community.

#18) Misconception

Your experience exceeds the job requirement

If the recruiters find you are overqualified for the job, you are turning the employer off.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Do not apply for the post where you feel you are overqualified.
    • Do not demand a high salary, try to be flexible and passionate about this role.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • If you are desperate to gain an ‘in’ with your dream company, tell the hiring manager you are willing to settle.
    • Try

#19) Blunder

You have not convinced me you are committed

The hiring manager will always look for a candidate who is committed and honest. They will try to find out how enthusiastic you are about the job you are applying for, and they will try to feel a sense of responsibility towards the goal of the organization. They will ask you questions about the role you have applied for, your goals.

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Do not draw attention to the lack of your skills sets.
    • Try to convey to the manager that he or she will not have to remind you of any task/assignment. Make him understand you will complete the task without any reminders.
    • Try not to be rigid, convey to the manager you will be an easy-going, fast learner, and team player.
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Try to show that you are loyal. Give some past examples of admitting things from the previous journey. So that employer is convinced you are loyal and committed.
    • Convey the hiring manager you will complete the assignments with excellent time ahead.

#20) Mistake

You ask uninspired questions or no questions

The hiring manager will try to put you on spot by asking you if ‘ if you have questions‘ for him and that is how he will try to find out how much are you prepared for the interview or how passionate you are to take this opportunity

  • Don’ts/Mission Statement
    • Do not ask personal or random questions which irrelevant to you or the position you are applying for.
    • Be Concise and clear when you ask a question.
    • Not asking questions in the interview is a dead giveaway that you either don’t care very much, or are willing to take any job you get because you’re desperate
  • Do’s/Revamp
    • Be mindful, asking questions during the interview is important, and that’s how you are judged many times. Ask specific questions may be about the role, responsibilities, or the company.
    • For a candidate who asks dull questions or does not ask questions, the chances of not getting hired are very high.

Conclusion

The aim of this article is not to turn you off or put you down in any way but to educate you and put you in the right direction, so you do not commit these killer mishaps.

As you fail to land the job, your motivation begins to die and will be devastating, but it is understandable. So just remember one thing believe in yourself. Keep your head high and press forward. Work out on improvements, and one day you will get there.

Handling rejection with no clear feedback on why I can’t find a job is tough, but take each rejection as an opportunity to learn the best you can.

Tip: Always follow up with the hiring manager if you want to land a job or if you want to work towards your improvements on your rejection.

The opportunity you desire will knock on the door and the day is not too far……

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