Work

5 Real Reasons Why You Are Not Getting Hired

If you’ve been looking for a job for what feels like forever, it would probably be helpful to take a step back and try to figure out what you’re doing wrong. It can be hard to admit that we’re not trying our hardest, but if you don’t want to spend the rest of your life on your parents’ couch, it’s in your best interest to address what’s keeping you from getting hired.

However, there are many other reasons that people remain unemployed that could easily be fixed.

Let’s take a look at some common reasons you’re not getting hired

1. YOU’RE NOT SELLING YOURSELF WELL ENOUGH

If there was ever a time to sell yourself, it’s during a job search. You’re selling yourself short by not showing off all of your qualifications.

Share your skills and accomplishments with confidence, but make sure not to brag. There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, so make sure to always be humble. Coming off as a jerk won’t get you very far, and no one wants to listen to someone humblebrag.

If there was ever a time to sell yourself, it’s during a job search. You’re selling yourself short by not showing off all of your qualifications.

2. YOU’RE OVERQUALIFIED OR UNDERQUALIFIED FOR THE JOBS YOU’RE APPLYING FOR

This one can be a huge issue for people who are always on the hunt for a job. Maybe you’re consistently applying for your dream job even though you don’t have the required qualifications, or you’re desperate for any job possible that you’re willing to take anything, even if it’s well below your level of experience.

Ask yourself if you’re aiming too high or low. Expectation is the root of disappointment, so make sure to adjust yours accordingly.

Not differentiating themselves from other candidates or showcasing their specific strengths for the particular position.
Not showing interest or enthusiasm for the role.
Not preparing for the interview–it’s obvious to employers.
Not demonstrating that they’ve researched the employer before an interview.
Not asking questions during the interview, or asking questions that are way too easy or obviously answered by research. Employers want more specific questions that show you’re thinking deeply about the role.

3. YOU’RE JUST NOT VERY LIKABLE

Even if you’re the most qualified person for the job, you won’t get hired if your interviewer just straight up doesn’t like you. To make the best impression possible you should:

Smile often, and when appropriate — if the interviewer tells you part of the job is going to be delivering bad news to people, don’t laugh and say “HOORAY!”
Be a good listener and don’t interrupt or dominate the conversation.
Ask thoughtful questions.
Don’t brag about how awesome you are.
Be expressive and use open body language, but remember to be appropriate — no need for middle fingers or profanity here.

4. YOU’RE GIVING OFF THE WRONG IMPRESSION

During your interview, you should do everything you can to impress employers. Doing any of these could leave a bad impression on interviewers:

Arriving late — This is a great way to make employers not like you immediately! If you really don’t want to get hired at all, then you should totally arrive late.
Dressing inappropriately — No belly button rings or cargo pants, please.
Being too sarcastic — Yes, sarcasm is one of the great joys of life, but this just isn’t the time.
Asking about salary at an inappropriate time — Save it for when the employer brings it up.
Not showing any personality — Remember, you won’t get a job if the interviewer doesn’t even remember who you are.
Being bored or disinterested — If you’re going to act like this, you should save everyone some time and just not go to the interview at all.

5. YOU COME OFF AS DESPERATE

Sometimes you just have to reel it in. In some cases, honesty isn’t the best policy — there’s really no need to gush about how this is your dream job, or complain about how much you hate your current job and would do anything to leave.

If you make it seem like the interviewer would be doing you a huge favor by hiring you, they’ll probably go with someone who seems less desperate and more willing to benefit the company rather than themselves.

Instead, talk about what interested you about the company and how they would benefit from hiring you. For everything you mention about why you like the company, be sure to mention one way that you would be able to help them grow or succeed in that area.