Why applicants do not received job offers!- back to resources

If you are turned down for a job for which you feel adequately (even superbly) qualified in today's brutally-competitive employment market, ask yourself as objectively as you can, "Why?"

Here are the top 12 Reasons why employers reject some applicants:

No. 1: Job-Hopping

When to change jobs is an art form. If you change once a year you’re a job hopper. If you stay too long you have no ambition. You can’t win, right?  In technology driven careers, like engineering, it’s critical to stay current so changing jobs every 2 or 3 years is not unusual.  Also changing early in your career is natural in order to get the right experience.  But companies will still frown on someone who changes jobs every 12-18 months on a consistent basis throughout their career.

No. 2: Won't Relocate

A willingness to move is essential in engineering, especially if you live in a “one company” town. Employers would prefer to hire local candidates and not incur the moving expenses but, if necessary, many will do whatever is necessary to ease the transition.  Dragging your feet on moving though will surely move you down on the priority list.

No. 3: Wrong Personality

Employers want people who will “fit in”.  If it’s obvious that your personality is not right for this job or company, forget it. This isn’t the job or company for you. You’re not likely to get an offer and if you do, you’ll probably be looking for a new position within 6 months. 

No. 4: Unrealistic Salary Expectations

If you're looking for a 20 percent increase in salary above what other engineers with comparable experience are making, you’re not being realistic and companies will see this. An applicant who throws out a big number during an interview is either uninformed or saying “I don’t want your job but if you pay me enough I’ll take it”. In either case, they shouldn’t expect an offer.

It’s important to be realistic and flexible. The time to negotiate is when the company has an interest, not during the interview. Also, study the non-cash incentives, such as a company car, club membership, and the like.

Don't fall into the trap of making your salary requirements too high. Just tell the employer your current base salary.

No. 5: Background

If you do not have the background the employer says is needed, try to show that the education and training you do have may have many advantages over the typical background for the position. There are advantages in a fresh point of view.
If you not have experience in a one particular area, tell the manager what you “Do know” about the subject matter to let him the comfort level that you’re quick study.

No. 6: Employment Record

That's an area in your work history that you cannot hide. Like your salary history, your employment record cannot be falsified. Do your best to explain and that's all.

No. 7: Being Unprepared

You may lose out because you are unresponsive, uninterested, or unprepared during the initial interview. The opposite problem - being too aggressive during this talk - is far less common.

It would be a sound idea to prepare for the interview by practicing answers to questions you're sure will be raised (previous job changes, willingness to relocate, salary requirements, why you left your last job, why you want this one, etc.).

Research the company on the internet to get some general information about their plans, finances, past success and even failure.

Don’t decide you don’t like a job or company early in the process and display disinterest. Many applicants do that and regret it later.  We once had a candidate decide that a company wasn’t up to his standards based on the poor impression that the reception area made. He performed poorly during the first 2 or 3 interviews.  Later in the interview, he learned that the company had outgrown the facility and was building a modern facility.  The recommendation from the first 3 interviewers was “don’t hire”

No. 8: Wrong Negotiation

This reason is similar to Reason No. 7 - being unresponsive or too aggressive.

No. 9: Little Potential for Growth

Employers oftentimes look for growth potential in a candidate even when it's not required for the job. Stress that you're dependable, you work hard, you're willing to work to the limit of your own potential, and you will still be at the job producing for the company long after other, more ambitious employees have gone on to something else.

No. 10: Personality Conflicts

These conflicts may show up in subsequent meetings, or in the reference checks made. The key point is that this reason is related to the No. 3 reason for job turndowns - personality judged inappropriate during the initial meeting. It is an extremely subjective explanation.

No. 11: Long Unemployment

For some positions, 3 months is considered a long unemployment period. For others it might be 6 months or longer. The most common reason for long periods of unemployment is a lack of flexibility relative to the job you want or an unwillingness to relocate. Try to stress the productive things you did during that period like taking courses in Object Oriented Design or learning .net or C# or some other technology.

No. 12: Ineffective Boss

Perhaps you hate this type of responsibility. If so, waste no time looking for a supervisory job. Move on.

In General

• Show strong interest in the company and its projects.

• Avoid arguing about company policy.

• Show decisiveness eg:  `May I call you tomorrow? I want to think about it,' is good. `I want to talk to my wife about this' is not as good.

• Many employers will give a "stress" interview to learn how you handle stress; be prepared for it.

• You can ask why you were turned down, and it will show your interest in the job, but don't be misled by what you're told because it may not be the real reason.

• In short, ask yourself which of the 12 reasons was the real reason. Learn from your answer to improve your chances.