Why You Didn't Get Hired

When you submit a resume or application and attend an interview, you can expect one of two possible outcomes - you either get hired or you don't.

It can be extremely frustrating to be turned down for employment; however, the key rules is to never take it personal. It is necessary to keep a positive outlook while applying for employment or you may lose the will to succeed in the fierce job market.

I'd like to break down the reasons you might not have been hired into 2 main categories: Improvements you could have made -and- Circumstances beyond control

Improvements you could have made:

1. An applicant is expected to 'put on their best' at an interview. There are key qualities and traits a recruiter will be looking for at an interview and the way you present yourself DOES matter! You will have a single chance to leave a great impression. To avoid this situation, ensure that you have a professional and maintained appearance, are prepared to answer questions from the recruiter appropriately, and promote yourself as an appealing candidate.

2. You must have a professional resume (this does not mean tailored by a professional, but more so referring to a professional appeal). Recruiters view numerous resumes on a weekly basis, therefore yours must shine above the rest. You need to promote yourself as the ideal candidate for the position. Resumes also have a standard 'format'. If you are unsure about how to craft a resume, I recommend researching on this website or via the web for samples. Poorly written and incomplete resumes can land your application an instant trip to the trash bin.

Circumstances beyond control:

1. You've applied, but another candidate had more experience in the field.

2. Another candidate had exceptional references on previous relevant work.

3. Another candidate had a higher level of training or exceeded your qualifications.

4. The position was filled "in-house" (by a current or former employee)

5. The position was filled by a friend/relative of a current employee.

6. Due to occurrences out of your control (such as company budget), the position was closed.


You must understand that there is always room for improvement, and this may require starting off as a lower position than you had originally anticipated in order to build up a rich work history in your desired field. The other alternative is to not give up hope and apply for a similar position with another company.