Why Your Job Application Was Unsuccessful
Sue Ellson
Independent LinkedIn Specialist - Digital Mentor, Coach, Author, Educator, Consultant, Career Development Practitioner, Founder, Gigster, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Poet, Writer, Business Social Marketing, AI??
Why Your Job Application Was Unsuccessful
The skills for applying for a job are different to the skills for doing a job - and yet so many people wonder why their job application was unsuccessful.
A lot of people also 'end up' in a job and never have their job search skills put to the test - and these people are often your worst critics if you are looking for a job and finding it tough.
As you read these possible 'reasons,' please do not beat yourself up.
All of us are trying to do our best.
You may have had no advice, or bad advice.
You may not be able to pay for qualified professional advice (but keep in mind, if you do pay and get a better job that pays more sooner, you will get your money back!)
Some employers and decisions-makers also have poor recruitment and selection processes, so even the best application may not get through.
We all know that every system, either using technology or people, has limitations.
But forewarned could be forearmed.
I am using the word 'application' rather than cover letter, LinkedIn Profile, resume or curriculum vitae - I believe you should send one application document that includes all of this information and that you tailor it for each job you are applying for.
I hope you gain some fresh insights from the following...
Possible reasons why
1) you are sending the same application for every job regardless of the job description
2) you have the skills mentioned in the advertisement or position description but you don't mention these in your application
3) you are only applying for advertised jobs (up to 90% of jobs are not advertised)
4) you do not have a completed LinkedIn Profile or a digital presence where you can be 'verified' online https://sueellson.com/blog/top-10-tips-for-your-linkedin-profile
5) you have a resume designed in Canva (image) or that uses a lot of fancy fonts, formatting and text boxes instead of something that is Applicant Tracking System friendly
6) you have not used a variety of job search skills - I am a firm believer in networking, referrals and voluntary work (if you don't have experience) https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/multiple-job-search-strategies-work-sue-ellson
7) you have not sought assistance from a career specialist (ideally a Career Development Practitioner and member of a professional association like the cdaa.org.au)
8) you are mentioning something that disqualifies you from consideration (ie live too far away)
9) you have unexplained gaps of longer than three months in your history (and decision-makers could assume something went wrong during that time)
10) you have not answered one or more questions that were mentioned in the application invitation
11) your application has errors in spelling, grammar, formatting, consistency, detail etc
12) regardless of how good your application was, somebody else was already in the running for that job that you didn't know about
13) you have not been completing paid work for some time and you have not disclosed what you have been doing during this time. You could talk about your career research activities, your studies (free micro credentials, short courses, formal education etc), your caring responsibilities, your supportive partner activities (especially if you have moved to a new country), your travels, your sabbatical process etc.
14) you have not used all the features available via LinkedIn in your job search strategy
15) you are going for 'any' job even if it is not aligned with your skill set because you are not clear on what you really want and are more focused on funds than fit
16) You don't know how to network either in person or on LinkedIn
17) You haven't updated any of your skills within the last three years (including both technical and personal skills) https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/20141023094428-77832-digital-wisdom-teaching-old-dogs-new-tricks-and-new-dogs-old-tricks
18) You have lost your confidence after a redundancy, retrenchment, unemployment etc and are not focusing on the most effective strategies for moving forward
19) You have not responded in a timely manner to any form of contact from an employer (ie forgotten to check your emails, texts, chat messages etc)
20) You have taken an extended break after a job ended and are looking for work during a holiday period or difficult economic period in a profession or industry
21) You are applying for a role that is slightly different to your experience but have not highlighted your transferable skills and experience that would be suitable in a new role
22) You are only applying for roles where you have 100% competency (you only need 60%) and forgetting about finding an enterprise that would be a good cultural fit
23) You are restricting yourself to certain roles based on whether or not they offer work-from-home opportunities or flexible hours and not considering work that is close-to-home
24) You have relied on advice from well-meaning family, friends or colleagues that has not served you well
25) You have not talked about your past achievements so that decision-makers can imagine what you can do in the future
26) You haven't focused on managing your career and have reached a career cliff without a strategy
27) You are trying to find a 'job for life' when you may be better off on focusing on a 'job for now' because of your personal circumstances
28) You are not aligned with your personal context and adjusting your job search strategy accordingly
29) You haven't tailored your application for the local market (particularly relevant if you are from interstate or overseas)
30) You are only focused on full-time roles and expecting a high salary - sometimes you could work two days a week in an aligned role at one place and three days somewhere else and be paid what you are worth
Perhaps you are self-aware enough to identify other reasons - and if you have any, please add them in the comments so that you can help others!
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Please note, these are supportive pieces designed to help you!
First Published:?25 September 2024
Last Update:?25 September 2024
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Director, Board Vice-President AITD | Educational Technologies Adoption Manager @ QUT | Learning & Career Development Practitioner | Online Education Specialist | AFAITD | PCDAA | RPCDP
1 个月1, 10, 11, and 21 I see so often and are often instant “not looking further” triggers. When hiring panels have 100s of applications to get through common mistakes will get the application put onto the “no” pile pretty quickly
Career Counsellor| Career Advisor| Educator| Presenter| CDAA Registered Professional Career Development Practitioner
1 个月'or you weren't feeling well that day'
Independent LinkedIn Specialist - Digital Mentor, Coach, Author, Educator, Consultant, Career Development Practitioner, Founder, Gigster, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Poet, Writer, Business Social Marketing, AI??
1 个月Thank you everyone for your engagement with this post - over 6,000 impressions - let me know if you would like one on Why Your Job Interview Was Unsuccessful!
Healing Our Mother Earth (HOME)
1 个月Once I was rejected because *I have a BA and was over qualified.? Another time i was rejected because, *the lady said, "you don't look how we thought you would, your name doesn't match what we thought you'd look like."? Another time i was rejected because *i didn't have enough experience for an entry level job.
Career Development Practitioner
1 个月Useful tips, thanks for sharing Sue.