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7 Reasons You Didn’t Get The Job

7 Reasons You Didn’t Get The Job

May 19, 2022

When you first learn that you didn’t land a role you had your heart set on, it can be devastating. When you’ve put in the time to research the company, perfect your CV, and ace the interview, not getting the job can feel like a personal failure. 

But it’s important to remember that there are often many factors at play in the hiring process, and you shouldn’t take it personally. With that in mind, here are seven popular reasons that you might not have landed a job.

1. You didn’t dress appropriately for the interview

When you go in for a job interview, it’s important to make a good impression from the start. One of the easiest ways to do that is to dress appropriately for the company and the position you’re interviewing for. 

While many employers are taking a more relaxed approach to professional attire, you should still aim to dress a little smarter than the company dress code. For example, if the company dress code is business casual, you might want to wear a suit or dress.

2. You were late for the interview

Another surefire way to make a bad impression in an interview is to be late. Lateness shows that you’re not reliable and don’t respect other people’s time. If it was completely out of your control, the interview panel might let it slide. But if it was down to poor planning, or if you didn’t take steps to let them know you would be running late, this can give a really bad first impression.

3. You didn’t do your research

When you go into an interview, the panel will be looking to see if you have the skills and experience that they’re looking for. But they’ll also want to see if you’ve done your research on the company and the role you’re applying for. If you didn’t answer simple questions about the company or your understanding of the role, they would be right to question your commitment.

4. You didn’t answer the questions sufficiently

In an interview, you’ll usually be asked a range of questions about your skills, experience and motivation. But sometimes, candidates make the mistake of not actually answering the question that’s been asked. 

This can be because you’re nervous or because you don’t fully understand what’s being asked. If you’re unsure about what is being asked, always ask the interviewer to clarify, rather than just rambling through an answer.

5. You were unprepared

In addition to not doing your research, another mistake candidates make is turning up to an interview completely unprepared. This includes things like not having any questions to ask at the end of the interview or not knowing anything about the company’s products or services. 

If you’re unprepared, it gives the impression that you’re not really all that interested in the role. An interview should always be like a conversation, so if you’re not pulling your weight, they might question if you have the passion to succeed in the role.

6. You were negative about your previous experience

While it’s completely understandable to be disappointed if you didn’t enjoy your previous job, it’s important to remain positive when talking about it in an interview. If you’re constantly putting down your previous employer or colleagues, it suggests that you might do the same if you were to get the job. 

No employer wants to hire someone who will be constantly negative and bring down morale. They also don’t want to hire people who cannot take responsibility for their actions.

7. You let your nerves get the better of you

Nerves are perfectly normal before an interview, but if you let them get the better of you, it can really affect your performance. If you’re so nervous that you’re sweating, fidgeting or stumbling over your words, this can give them the wrong impression. 

It can make you seem unprofessional, unprepared and not fully committed to getting the job. While it’s impossible to get rid of nerves completely, there are things you can do to help ease them. For example, practising your answers out loud, or doing some relaxation exercises before the interview can help you to get your nerves under control.

Closing thoughts

If you didn’t get the job, don’t panic. It isn’t the end of the world, and there will be more opportunities for you that might be a better fit. The first thing to do after you find out you have been unsuccessful is to ask for feedback on your performance. 

This should help you determine why they decided you aren’t the right fit. Sometimes it’s simply the case that someone else was more qualified, but sometimes there are things you can work on so that you don’t make the same mistakes again in your next interview. 

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