Job searching is an emotional roller coaster. Your confidence soars after a round of great interviews and promising feedback, which only amplifies the disappointment of not getting a job offer. Unfortunately, hiring decisions are beyond your control, and you never know which details are most important to hiring managers. Understanding the reasons why an employer might choose another candidate can help you stay positive when you don't get a job offer.
1. The Company Hired Internally
Many employers require HR staff to publicly post job openings, even if the company plans to hire from within. Internal candidates already know how the company works and usually have the support of key decision-makers. Although a job offer was never really on the table, the interview is still good practice for landing a position that's right for you.
2. Mismatched Qualifications
Applying for jobs is a big gamble when you don't have all the necessary qualifications. A good interviewer knows how to ask the right questions to uncover skills gaps, and you might have unintentionally revealed your lack of experience. On the other hand, hiring managers may turn you down for being overqualified, since the company can offer a lower salary to a candidate with less experience.
3. You Don't Fit the Culture
Many companies are most concerned about building cohesive teams, and they value the right personality and work style as much as qualifications. Researching the company in advance can help you adapt your interview style, so you can figure out if it's a conservative, laid-back, creative or family environment.
4. Red Flags
Until you gain the ability to read a hiring manager's mind, you have to rely on guesswork and preparation to make a good impression during interviews. From your phone etiquette to your body language, small details can deter hiring managers from making a final job offer. No matter how good you look on paper, practice speaking about your experience, and personalize your responses for each job.
5. Hiring Freezes
Employers don't want their troubles to be public knowledge, so they may post jobs without telling candidates that they can't move forward with hiring right away. If the hiring manager stops communicating with you well into the interview stage, hiring may be in limbo until the company works out its issues.
6. Average Candidate
Sometimes, your qualifications and personality are great, but you fail to sell your skills as the solution to a hiring manager's core business needs. To ace an interview, you have to show interviewers that you understand how the company operates and how to create new solutions going forward. Being average might keep you in the running for a while, until a more compelling candidate emerges.
7. Organizational Transformation
When a company is going through an organizational transformation, hiring managers may put job offers on hold until they know what the position entails. Restructuring often means redefining core positions and creating new ones. If you're determined to get the job, ask the hiring manager to keep you updated, especially if you need qualifications that weren't originally included.
Not every hiring decision is about you, so don't take rejection personally. Save your effort for landing a job offer from a company best suited to your personality, skills and career goals.
Photo courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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