The Reasons Why You Didn't Get the Job

It came. The rejection letter. You’re shocked.

You thought the interview went well. Your curriculum vitae (CV) sparkled with personality. You felt amazing and looked professional. And you were more-than-prepared to tell your current employer “See ya later, alligator!”

Yet the rejection letter still came. WHY?

Though you may never know the reasons behind the “Thanks, but no thanks” from a prospective employer, it’s important to remember that sometimes the answers behind your rejection are complicated and/or completely out of your control.

Here, we’ll look at some explanations for why interviewers turn interviewees down that you probably never even considered. But keep them in mind when applying for your next position or speaking with a future contact person(s):

1. The Job Was Already Filled

Sometimes, employers conduct interviews when the job has already been filled. Though this is rare (after all, it takes time and money on the part of the corporation), it does happen. Alternatively, the position may have been promised to someone else, but for reporting and/or legal purposes the interviewer needs to be able to tell his/her manager or the board that “x” number of interviews took place. (Sadly, you fell into the “x”.)

2. The Interviewer Took a Dislike to You

It might have been nothing more than the fact that you reminded the interviewer of his/her ex-spouse, but such seemingly-silly things can absolutely mean the difference between getting a job offer and receiving a rejection letter. Hey, personnel managers are human, too – and they are prone to erratic behaviour at times.

3. The Position Was Scrapped

Sometimes, companies interview for a position, and then decide the job isn’t really necessary. Or they discover that their budgets simply cannot allow for them to pay another employee. Though you might imagine that they’d let you know if this is the case, the organisation may feel uncomfortable announcing its true decision; instead, they just send you a rejection letter without further explanation.

4. You May Have Unintentionally Done Something Offensive or “Wrong” in the Eyes of the Interviewer

Chances are, you didn’t mean to be offensive, but perhaps something you said or did irritated your interviewer and ultimately cost you a job offer. Perhaps you coughed without covering your mouth or cracked your knuckles (and didn’t even realise you had done so!) One little foible could cost you a position, strange as that may sound. After all, some interviewers are pickier than others.

5. Your Interviewer Might Have Been in a Bad Mood

You know what it’s like when you’re in a bad mood – everything seems to be a problem! So perhaps when you interviewed, your interviewer was having a rough day… and, alas, that snarly attitude was projected onto you. In his or her memory, you are forever connected with that difficult day… and that’s the reason you didn’t get a second interview or employment offer.

6. You Might Have Intimidated Your Interviewer

It’s good to be an expert, that’s for sure. But if your interviewer was somehow intimidated by your expertise, he or she might have assumed, “Wow. If I hire him/her, he/she might do better than I can… and end up getting MY job!” Again, this falls under the category of “the interviewer is human”. And it’s disturbing, but a reality.

In the end, it’s best to simply move on to greener pastures. Don’t kick yourself every time you hear “no”… because it might have nothing to do with you at all.

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