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Career Advice for Job Seekers

5 Reasons You Didn’t Get That Job Offer — and What You Can Do Next Time

William Frierson AvatarWilliam Frierson
July 31, 2013


Woman with sad face showing thumbs down

Woman with sad face showing thumbs down. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

So you landed and then aced the interview for the job you know you are perfect for. Then came the letter — or phone call or email — with the news that you didn’t get the job you know was meant for you. The rejection missive may have provided a specific reason you didn’t get the job (“Another candidate’s qualifications better fit our needs”) or a more general one (“We have decided not to hire you”). In either case, it’s likely that you didn’t get the full story. Once you’ve recovered from your initial shock and disappointment, it will behoove you to perform some soul-searching to ascertain (a) why you (probably) didn’t get the job so (b) you can avoid it from happening in the future.

1.    You didn’t do your homework. Your great resume and cover letter speak for themselves, or so you thought. But you failed to prepare for the likely questions you’d be asked by any interviewer for any job and thus had no ready intelligible answers or job-related anecdotes on hand. And, you didn’t bother to learn anything more about the organization other than how to find its address through Google Maps.

2.    You didn’t ask enough — or any! — questions about the job and company. You thought you came off as respectful and deferential, but instead came across as indifferent or lazy. Hiring managers are impressed with candidates who view the interview opportunity as a give-and-take process, in which you the applicant play an active part rather than a passive participant. This will also demonstrate you did your research, which will please them. See No. 1 above.

3.    You underestimated perhaps the most important — and least tangible — element in an interview: chemistry. Tailor your interview demeanor in accordance with the particular situation at hand. If the interviewer chooses to go with a traditional, more conservative interviewing style, respond in kind and leave the jokes at home. Alternatively, if you sense the hiring manager prefers a more freewheeling and relaxed interview style, you may want to loosen that scarf or tie a notch. Be yourself, of course. Your best self.

4.    You worked so hard to sell yourself, you neglected to demonstrate why you were the perfect fit for the job. You spoke of how well you get along with people, how you’re always happy to be part of a team, and how big the going-away party for you was at your last job. But they’re looking for someone with the requisite qualifications who will ease into the job with minimal transition time, not a new Facebook friend.

5.    You didn’t follow up after the interview. As soon as is humanly possible after the interview, write a personal note, even if just an email. Thank the interviewer for his or her time, briefly reiterate your qualifications, and conclude with your fervent belief that you are perfect for this job. (Learn more about job interview blunders and how to avoid them.)

Better Luck Next Time: Some Tips

Now that you have a better idea of why you (maybe) didn’t get the job offer you were so sure of, here are some tips you can apply to your next interview so you can get that other job you know you are perfect for — because, thankfully, there always will be another job.

•    Bone up for the big interview. If you don’t prepare for an interview beforehand, you may as well just not show up. This means practicing your answers to the questions you’ll likely be asked such as “name several of your strengths and weaknesses,” “Why should we hire you for this position,” etc. Be prepared to provide examples from your past jobs that demonstrate why you’re uniquely qualified for the job. Questions in this vein may include “Give us an example of a challenging work situation you were faced with and how you responded.” Showing up prepared also means doing your research on the company for which you are interviewing.

•    This may sound like a no-brainer, but do let your enthusiasm for the job show. Some job seekers purposely tone down their zeal for a job in order to not appear “desperate.” Big mistake, as employers tend to prefer candidates who are excited by the opportunity. And, be sure to ask plenty of pertinent questions about the company based on your prior research (see above tip).

•    During the interview, pay attention to the interviewer’s body language. If, for example, he removes his jacket, for example, implying that you should both make yourself comfortable for the interview, be sure and follow suit. The importance of the chemistry you have with your interviewer cannot be overstated, even if it cannot be exactly quantified.

•    Be honest. Too often, job applicants view the interview as a competition whose only goal is to net a job offer even if the job would be a bad fit. Use the interview as an opportunity to ascertain as much as you are able whether you’d be happy performing the required tasks and would fit in with the workplace culture — or not. Remember, you’re interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you, and hiring managers will need an honest appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses to help them make an informed decision.

•    After every interview, follow up not with a mere thank-you note but with an “influence letter” that addresses the conversation at the interview as well as your skills and experience — especially any perceived weaknesses or gaps in either of those areas that may have surfaced during the course of the interview.

By: Michelle Fillippini

About the Author:

Michelle Filippini is an editor and writer based out of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. She received her B.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing and enjoys writing nonfiction as well as on issues in the educational realm.

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