Even if we don’t want the job, most of us want to get the offer. When it’s your “dream job” getting a “pass” can be downright devastating. Most of us have been there.
Sometimes knowing the reason, you weren’t hired is easy. As soon as you left the interview your gut told you that you wouldn’t be moving forward. Other times, you leave an interview feeling great and are stunned to receive a “we went another way” letter in the mail. You wonder "what went wrong?".
In most cases you’ll never know why. One of the reasons you get vague, if any, feedback from the recruiter, hiring manager, or HR is because companies are concerned about litigation. Among the EEOC’s priorities through 2021 is eliminating barriers to recruitment and hiring, ensuring equal pay, and preserving access to the legal system.
In today’s episode you’ll learn 5 common reasons candidates don’t get hired.
#1 There Was Too Much Me, Me, Me
Of course, you need to sell yourself to the employer. You need to focus on your skills and accomplishments. You need to show that you are excited and enthusiastic about working with them too.
#2 You Badmouthed Your Employer (Or Past Employer)
Even if your boss is the devil incarnate bite your tongue during job interviews. Share every mean thing he or she has ever done over cocktails with your best friend. That’s not appropriate conversation to have with a potential employer. Throwing your current company or boss under the bus is a big turnoff to hiring managers.
#3 They Found Incriminating Evidence Online
The first thing most recruiters do after looking at your resume is to check you out online. LinkedIn is likely the first stop, followed by other social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Many will search Google or other search engines to see what the results turn up. Don’t give them reasons to rule you out.
#4 You Moved Around Too Much
Unlike decades ago, many employers find job hopping more acceptable, particularly if you’re a younger worker. Some employers even expect it. According to a 2014 study of employers by CareerBuilder, 55% said they had hired someone considered to be a job hopper. On the other hand, 43% said they wouldn’t consider someone who has changed jobs often.
#5 You Just Weren’t “The One”
It’s possible they just didn’t think you were the right person. In the end interviewers are human. They may think you are too young or too old to fit with the company culture. They may think you’re too driven or too laid back to mesh with the rest of the team. It might be the hiring manager just didn’t “click” with you.
When you’re looking for a new opportunity rejection is a part of life. There are dozens of candidates, in some cases hundreds of candidates, for every position. Only one person will be hired for the job.
While there are some things you can’t change, like frequent job changes, there are other things you can, like how you talk about former employers and what
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Annette (00:08):
Hi, welcome to the smarter career moves podcast. I'm an at Richmond executive resume writer in principle of career intelligence, resume writing and peer services.
Annette (00:32):
Hi, thanks for joining me today. I want to talk to you about the reasons that you didn't get the job and how you can do better the next time. Even if we don't want the job, most of us want to get the offer. We want to have the option to say no, Where you actually do want the job getting a pass can be downright devastating. I know I've been there too. Sometimes, knowing the reason you weren't hired is easy, maybe you didn't have most of the requirements, but you decided to apply anyway. Perhaps you didn't click with the hiring manager. As soon as you left the interview, your gut told you that you wouldn't be moving forward. Other times you leave an interview feeling great and are stunned by a we went the other way email. You go over every interaction over and over again, trying to figure out what went wrong.
Annette (01:26):
Well, the truth is in most cases, you'll never know why. One of the reasons you get vague, any feedback from the recruiter hiring manager or HR is because companies are concerned about litigation. Among the top priorities of the equal employment opportunity commission EEOC, strategic enforcement plan through 2021 are eliminating barriers in recruitment and hiring, ensuring equal pay protection for all workers, that includes gender based discrimination and persistent pay disparities based on race, ethnicity, and individuals with disabilities and other protected groups and preserving access to the legal system. So what can you do? Well, start by thinking about your experience as objectively as you can. While one or two things may jump out in hindsight. You may never know for sure, but looking back and help you go into the hiring process stronger the next time, Here are five common reasons why candidates don't get hired.
Annette (02:35):
The first one is there's too much me, me, me. Of course, you need to sell yourself to the employer. You need to focus on your skills and your accomplishments. But you need to show that you are excited and enthusiastic about working with them too. So don't spend all of your time focusing on how great you are. Essentially me, me, me, make sure that you talk about what you can do for them and why you want to work for their company. Explain how you can solve their problems. That's why they're hiring you. Number two, you bad mouth, your employer, or a past employer. Even if your boss is the devil incarnate, bite your tongue during the interview process. Talk about every mean thing she has ever done over cocktails with your best friend. But that's not appropriate conversation to have with a potential employer. Throwing your current company under the bus or bad mouthing
Annette (03:37):
Your boss is a big turn off to hiring managers. Negativity during the hiring process is a red flag for a couple of reasons. First, it makes them wonder what you'll be saying about them when it's time to move on. And second, what makes employers think, who wants to work with that person? Number three, they found incriminating evidence online. The first thing most recruiters do after looking at your resume is to check you out online. LinkedIn is likely the first stop followed by other social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Many will do a search on Google or use another search engine to see what results turn up. They're trying to learn more about you. Don’t give them reasons to rule you out. No one likes negativity. Are you continually whining about little bumps in the road or complaining about every restaurant you visit or are you posting positive things about coaching
Annette (04:41):
The little league team? You may think it doesn't make a big difference, but it does. Again, who wants to work with that person? Number four, you moved around too much. Unlike decades ago, many employers find job hopping more acceptable, particularly if you're a younger worker. Some employers even expect it. According to a 2014 study of employers by career builder, 55% said they had hired someone considered to be a job hopper and 32% said they expected people to change jobs often. Still while job hopping may no longer be the kiss of death there were still a significant number of employers, 43% in that career builder study, who won't consider someone who has moved often. As a recruiter. I'll never forget working with one hiring manager who wouldn't consider even interviewing anyone with less than five years of employment with each previous employer, no matter how great the candidate was.
Annette (05:48):
So if you have several short stints at various companies on your resume, you may be out of the running for some positions. Number five, you just weren't the “one.” It’s possible they just didn't think you were the right person. In the end. Interviewers are human. They may think that you're too young or too old to fit in with the company culture. They may think that you're too driven or too laid back to mesh with the rest of the team. The hiring manager may just not click with you because unconsciously you remind her of someone. It might be a former colleague or even a neighbor that she doesn't like. You may have turned the hiring manager off with a failure to make eye contact. Fair or not, personality and likability are part of the hiring process. While you're looking for a new opportunity rejection is just part of life. There are dozens of candidates, in some cases hundreds of candidates, for every position and only one person is going to get the hired for the job. There are some things you can change, like having five jobs in the last 10 years, there are other things you can like how you talked about a former boss or what you post online on social media. Focus on the things you can control and try not to obsess about the rest. Thanks again for joining me today and good luck with your job search.
Annette (07:26):
Thanks again for joining us for the smarter career moves podcast. We hope you enjoyed today's episode. If you did, please subscribe. Thank you. [inaudible].