Have you ever wondered what is keeping you away from your dream job? Why is the recruiter not calling you for a job interview despite you meeting all the criteria? Well, if you are confused and have no answers to these questions then let us help you in solving this mystery.
Landing into a perfect job is like going to a fancy restaurant; no matter how delicious the food is, every customer has a distinctive taste like an employer who is looking for something different or extra when they plan on hiring a new employee.
We have listed down 15 possible reasons why you are not getting that job and the solutions to help you:
1. The hiring manager is too picky
The Problem
There is literally nothing you can do if your resume lands into the hands of a hiring manager who is either too picky or would just overlook your application for no apparent reason.
The Solution
The simple and easiest way to make through such circumstances is direct communication. Make sure that you call the hiring person directly if you have not heard from them in good time regarding the job that you have applied to.
2. Too many people have applied for the same job
The Problem
Many a time, the hiring manager is too overwhelmed with the responses they have received for a particular job and position. Chances are that your resume got lost or shuffled in those 100 E-mails or 20 by hand submissions for the job.
The Solution
All you can really do in such a scenario is to keep following up. Call the recruitment office but, make sure to not get onto their nerves and annoy them even before you get a chance to interview. You should be ready for a walk-in interview just in case they call you the same day you call them to check-in.
3. You lack the X factor
The Problem
As someone who is applying for a job, you can never be too certain as to what the employer is really looking for. The truth is recruiters want an entire package in the form of an employee. Thus, they look for that X factor that distinguishes you from the rest of the lot.
The Solution
You can never be too sure as to what that X factor really is or the particular thing that the employee wants. However, no matter what, you have to give your best shot at the job if you want it which means that you have to go an extra mile and sell yourself to convince the hiring manager that you are the only one for that position or job they are recruiting for. Present a professional resume. Make sure that you are well-dressed and appear presentable at the job interview as the first impression is the last impression. If you need a free resume template to get started, we have plenty to choose from to get you rolling.
4. You will have to relocate for the job
The Problem
Your dream job might not be in the same city or country as your home town. You could be rejected for not being in the same place the recruiter is hiring in. Keep in mind that relocating for a job is not an easy task. Only apply for such job openings when you have a clear plan to help you get through with it.
The Solution
If you are applying for a job which is in another city or country, mention on your resume or in your cover letter that you are keen on relocating and can manage the logistics well on your own.
5. The job opening was for internal staff
The Problem
Sometimes, companies, especially government organizations put up about a job opening as an exercise when in reality they really aim to recruit or make changes internally. This means that they might not be hiring from outside.
The Solution
This is an exceptional case and not always do recruiters advertise for such internal hiring. However, it is only fair that you take a shot at it by directly writing to the human resource department of the company and clearly presenting your case. You should tell them why you are the best person for the job which might convince them to reconsider their decision or ask them to contact you for any future openings.
6. The vacant position was never really vacant
The Problem
Again, in some cases, companies post about job openings despite already having a chosen candidate for the so-called vacant position or job. In such cases, the person applying for the job never really hears back from the firm and starts questioning themselves as to what went wrong with their application and why were they never called for an interview. This usually happens in the public sector more than it happens in the private sector.
The Solution
Now, of course, if there is already a chosen candidate for a particular position or job, there is nothing really you can do to replace them. However, once you do find out that this is the actual reason for the company not calling you for an interview, get in touch with the hiring manager as soon as possible to inquire about any future openings in the company and what do they actually look for when hiring.
7. You are currently jobless
The Problem
No matter how educated you are or how much work experience you have had in the past, some companies won’t hire on the sole basis of you being currently jobless. You could have a presented your best case forward when sending in your resume or cover letter but, this one thing could be a huge set-back for some hiring managers and their teams when making a decision.
The Solution
A straight up solution to this problem is to make sure that there is not a huge gap between your last job and the one that you are applying to currently. Also, make sure that you are involved in some kind of productive work or task when you go for a new job interview to convince the recruiter that you are not completely free and have something to look forward to each day. This gives the employer a sense that you are someone who can be relied upon.
8. You did not directly apply for the job
The Problem
A lot of times when people are too desperate to get a job, they apply through different staffing portals or third-party managers who charge the recruiting company an amount of money upon getting a replacement or a filled seat for the vacant post. Sometimes, your application could also get shuffled in the process; never making it to the company you intend to work for.
The Solution
Make sure that you are applying to a job opening directly even if you found it through a third party or a staffing portal. Try making someone else to help you get a job which could be a big bonus for you in the long-run. Apply directly to the company and always reach out to the human resource department in case you have any queries about the job or the position you are applying for.
9. The job description changed from when you first applied for the position
The Problem
Some hiring managers are advised to keep the job description discrete and not give out too many details about the job or the position and the kind of work that is required from the employee. This causes confusion and leaves a certain ambiguity between the employee and the employer which later creates trouble.
The Solution
If you feel that the job description is not too clear and could be change to subject as you will move ahead in the job, do not apply for such a position or a company. The truth is, if you are seeing red flags in the beginning of the professional relationship, chances are that the trouble might only grow in the future and could become an everyday headache for you.
10. The position is put on hold
The Problem
At times when you apply for a job and are not receiving a response, the company might have put the position on hold due to unforeseen circumstances. Sometimes, companies put up vacancy advertisements and then re-think their options. It is a normal exercise among businesses.
The Solution
All you could really do is keep in touch with the hiring manager just in case something like this might occur so that they can keep you posted and in the loop.
11. The position is still to be decided
The Problem
The job you have applied for does not exist and the company is still working on setting the job description for it.
The Solution
You can never be too sure if the position you have applied for actually exists or not. Make sure you confirm this information from the hiring manager before you plan on applying for such a job.
12. You applied late for the job
The Problem
People take their time when they are applying for a job. Sometimes, a job deadline is months away and thinking the same, many won’t apply till the eleventh hour. This is where the problem starts, recruiters start making a decision before the cut-off date because they have too much on their plate.
The Solution
As someone who is actively seeking a job, please do not procrastinate and apply for the job as soon as you see the advertisement or hear about it from someone. The earlier you apply the more chances you have of being short-listed for the position.
13. You are over-qualified for the job
The Problem
If you are someone who holds a Masters or a Doctorate, chances are that the hiring manager might consider you over-qualified for the position if it is a managerial one and would think that you will ask for too much money that they won’t be able to compensate you with.
The Solution
If you fall into the above category, the only way to save yourself from trouble is by making sure that you clearly mention in your cover letter that you have absolutely no objections with starting at a primary level with an average pay-scale that does not offer too many perks. You should also directly communicate it to the hiring manager, if given a chance that you want to be associated with the company for its reputation and you are not looking for money at the moment.
14. The job is not suitable for you
The Problem
You might have applied for a job opening which is completely opposite to the field in which you have expertise.
The Solution
Call up the human resource person directly to ask for more details about the job and what they actually want from you as an employee to make sure you fit the bill.
15. Your social media is too casual
The Problem
Nowadays, recruiters search you up on social media before they actually short-list you for a formal interview.
The Solution
Make sure your social media is not too casual or there are no things on public settings that could reflect poorly on you. Be smart and present your best.
So, did any of the above help you in getting a clear idea as to why you are not getting that interview call? Let us know in the comments below.
