Why didn’t you get the job?
Your interview was flawless, and you answered all the questions quickly and thoughtfully. You felt like you meshed well with the hiring manager and employees. However, the job was given to someone else. What went wrong? Here are six reasons why you might not have gotten the job.
1. Too Prompt/Not Prompt Enough
The time that you arrived for the interview is the first impression that the hiring manager will judge you on. Being late for an interview will have obvious negative effects on your chances of employment. What you may not realize is that being too early can have a negative impact on your chances as well. While the hiring manager may have left you sitting in the lobby, they may have felt rushed to finish what they were doing in order to tend to you
2. Dressing to Impress
There is a saying, “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” Impressions are important when interviewing. The way you present yourself as a potential employee can be a tiebreaker between you and another candidate.
3. Resume/Cover Letter Lacking
Your resume helps the hiring manager to decide whether you qualify for the job. Misspellings and grammar issues may make your resume or cover letter seem to have been carelessly put together. A long resume may also have gone unread due to outdated and unimportant information. Take a look at an earlier post, Four Tips For Writing An Effective Cover Letter, to get tips on writing a desirable cover letter.
4. You Did Not Ask Any Questions
While being interviewed for a job, it is also expected that you interview the hiring manager. Asking questions allows you to stand out above the other candidates. Failing to do so may make your interview forgettable.
5. They Hired Within the Company
Individuals seeking employment not only compete against other candidates, but they must also compete against employees already working within the organization. This is known as the “internal hire,” typically, it is easier for the organization to hire current employees. These employees are low-risk since their work experiences are known, and the hiring manager has an exact impression of their capabilities, personality, and work ethic.
6. References Did Not Support You
References are often the last step in the hiring process, and sometimes make-or-break your employment opportunity. Your references may not have known how to close the sale for you if they did not know the background of the company or the position you were hoping to acquire. Finally, you may have listed old references, or you may not have remained in contact with your references. If they no longer know your current capabilities, they may not represent you well as an employee.
Being denied a position gives you the opportunity to strengthen your interviewing skills. Keep in mind some of the key factors that hiring managers look for. Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your interview, this is a respectful time and does not rush or keep the hiring manager waiting. Look through your resume, and look for unimportant or outdated information that could be replaced or deleted. Your resume is one of your initial impressions, and first impressions are very important. Dress to impress the hiring manager and remember to ask questions. There are many reasons that you may not get the job, many of these may be beyond your control such as an internal hire, but it is important to increase your opportunities with those that you can.
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