Why Your Job Interview Was Unsuccessful

Why Your Job Interview Was Unsuccessful

By Sue Ellson

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 interview was unsuccessful, whether that be for a 'job' or for 'work' if you do a variety of 'jobs.'

Whether you were competing against multiple candidates or have been called in via a referral or for a promotion, it can be tough to find out that an opportunity was not offered to you.

It can feel like a very personal rejection.

It isn't.

Ideally, just say to yourself, 'Next!'

But of course you may want to create a narrative about 'why.'

Even though I am going to give you some potential reasons why, all of them could be WRONG.

It may have nothing to do with any of these reasons.

But we have all wondered about them, haven't we?

Some times reflecting on these helps us deduce, 'It was them, not me.'

But even if it 'was' you, that doesn't mean that this is the end.

You will have learnt something.

You will have met new people.

You will have had a new experience.

You can either collect the good insights, or the bad feelings.

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 interview preparation, or bad interview 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 interview performance 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 interview 'performance' because you are putting yourself 'on show' in an interview (and for many people, it is easier to talk about others rather than themselves).

I believe that if you have got to the interview stage, your application process was 'good enough' - so please do NOT let them make you believe you were not suitable from the get-go.

You gave them an application first and they knew at least some of your details!

I have also found that most reasons provided for 'missing out' are untrue.

But they may be 'compliant' with local employment rules. Sometimes, you will be given a bland reason that means you 'won't sue them' but the real reason could be something entirely different.

I also believe that some people have mastered the 'art' of being good in an interview and yet bad on the job.

Others are poor in an interview and miss out on opportunities.

This is particularly sad when it is for an internal promotion or for a role that is really important to you.

I hope you gain some fresh insights from the following...these reasons are related to in person and online video style interviews.

Possible reasons why

1) You did not prepare for the job interview to understand more about them (at least visiting their website, social media profiles, online reviews (Google, Facebook and others) and searching for them online to see their online search or artificial intelligence chat results

2) You did not look at the average length of tenure of the staff and in particular, do some research on the leaders in the enterprise to glean some insights into how they would manage the day to day operations and learn about the general culture of the workplace

3) You did not do some in-person interview practice, in particular, practice how to answer behavioural interview questions https://www.dhirubhai.net/interview-prep - ideally with someone who is in the industry or profession or who has been successful in securing something similar in the past (ideally not a close friend or family member) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9362149/What-weaknesses-Expert-reveals-EXACTLY-answer-one-question.html

4) You did not do some automated online interview practice (with a timed response time), being prepared with answers to typical questions in a succinct way and having examples of what you have done in the past to share (feel free to have some dot points on a sheet of paper ready to jog your memory) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8641871/The-seven-questions-asked-job-interviews-answer-make-sure-job.html

5) You did not allow enough time for travel delays, parking, security check in, visiting the bathroom, refreshing your hair or checking your personal appearance etc and arrived late for the interview

6) You had a noticeable smell when you arrived - too much fragrance, body odour, bad breath etc

7) Your clothing or shoes were not in good condition or appropriate for the type of job interview (this doesn't mean you can't have your own style, but you need to be considerate of the workplace and possible inferences conveyed - I would not wear a low-cut blouse or a short skirt or shoes that were in poor condition. Conversely, it may be appropriate in another interview to come dressed in workwear and safety shoes etc)

8) Regardless of how well you answered the questions, they already had someone else in mind for the role and you were only 'an extra person to be interviewed to meet regulatory requirements'

9) You did not answer one or more of the questions. It is really important to listen to the question and not be evaluating your answer while you answer it. Just answer it! https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/real-life/article-11552863/Recruiters-reveal-three-different-personality-types-employers-really-looking-for.html

10) You did not maintain appropriate body language throughout the interview. Perhaps you did not look at the interviewer/s or the camera, did not nod and engage, did not maintain genuine interest and engagement https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9084167/The-seven-ways-tell-job-interview-went-nail-time.html

11) You kept your phone in your hand (or within reach) during the interview and did not turn it off (not just silent) before the beginning of the interview or worse still, you actually used your phone in the interview to respond to a message or call without warning the interviewers that you may need to answer it during the interview for an immediate reason (ie waiting for a call in relation to a personal emergency)

12) In a panel interview, you provided more engaging answers to one panellist and less engaging answers to another panellist based on your personal perception of the panellist https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8322185/Employment-experts-reveal-best-answers-biggest-weakness-question-interview.html

13) You did not clarify a question that you did not understand and then answered the question inappropriately. You became defensive or rattled by certain questions and interrupted the interviewer when they were speaking. If this happens, just take a breath and be patient. You are not on trial

14) You shared commercially sensitive information about another enterprise which would make the interviewer nervous about you sharing that information about their enterprise

15) You were desperate for the job. No matter how perfectly you answer a question, if you REALLY NEED the job, this subconscious belief will be visible to an interviewer. Go in with the approach that this job or work needs to be a fit for both of you https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/problem-saying-just-get-job-sue-ellson

16) You did not do adequate research on the pay and benefits suitable for a similar role in a similiar enterprise and stated a pay and benefits range that was way beyond the capacity of the enterprise to offer without setting up an opportunity to discuss a starting point and a review after three months https://myfuture.edu.au https://sueellson.com/blog/negotiating-salary-expectations-on-channel-9-today-extra

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9400135/When-bring-salary-job-interview-Careers-expert-reveals-ask-pay.html

17) You did not request an offer letter in writing so that you could provide an answer to the job offer after confirming all of the details of the job offer https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9544267/Melbourne-career-advisor-Sue-Ellson-shares-four-signs-think-job-offer.html

18) You answered a question that you did not need to answer (according to regulations) and this affected the outcome of the job interview https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8813301/Employers-reveal-seven-biggest-myths-job-hunting.html

19) You over-exaggerated or under-exaggerated your capabilities, skills, knowledge and networks. You should never lie. You can massage the message. Stating what you have done accurately, without superfluous adjectives is perfectly fine. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6801985/Careers-expert-reveals-tips-writing-perfect-resume.html

20) You tried to be the perfect candidate and did not convey who you are and be your authentic self. I remember answering to the 'greatest weakness' that 'I get grumpy sometimes' and I got the promotion! https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6801985/Careers-expert-reveals-tips-writing-perfect-resume.html

21) You over-analysed every part of the process - pre interview, in the interview and post interview which kept you in your 'head' instead of in the moment, being engaged with the interview process

22) You failed to show up to the interview (yes, ghosting for an interview is a thing!) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5997217/As-dating-trend-ghosting-enters-workplace-heres-spot-happened-you.html

23) You did not understand how group interviews work and did not complete some training around this process before the group interview took place (there are very subtle nuances that can jeopardise your chances, particularly if you do not work well with other candidates in group activities)

24) You insisted on working on a remote basis when the job was clearly outlined as 'on-site.' If you are looking for remote work, there are other strategies https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/tips-finding-remote-work-working-from-home-jobs-sue-ellson

25) You have the voices of a well meaning partner, or friends, family members, colleagues, peers etc telling you to 'just get a job' and are treating the process very casually without making sure the role is a good fit for you and the enterprise https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/problem-saying-just-get-job-sue-ellson

26) Although the role is of genuine interest, you are concerned about the transition whether that be related to a different organisation type, extra commuting distance (I definitely recommend looking for aligned work close-to-home), new workplace culture, increased responsibility, new duties, career change, lack of one-on-one support from day one etc. https://sueellson.com/blog/commuting-or-working-from-home-or-working-close-to-home-or-hybrid

27) Your online presence (if they searched for you online beforehand) does not match your in person presence (ie you are using a photo on LinkedIn that is more than three years old and your LinkedIn Profile is different to your Resume)

28) You provided a 'confusing' message - I have done a lot of things over many years and helping an interviewer understand and relate to this can be challenging. If you have a side hustle or other interests that could conflict with your performance or interest in the role, you need to manage how you explain this to someone who does not have a similar background

29) You did not follow up with additional information you offered, or send a written thank you for the opportunity or respond in a timely fashion to any follow up correspondence

30) You have not secured a career specialist, mentor, accountability partner etc to help you through the ups and downs of the job or work application process so that you can process each experience and be better for each one as you go through the journey https://sueellson.com/blog/job-search-strategies-for-mature-workers-for-the-spotjobs-career-expo-melbourne

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!

You may also like these articles on

'Why Your Job Application Was Unsuccessful'

'Pay Job Candidates For Interviews'

'Tough Love for Unemployed Job Seekers under 30 years of age.'

'Tough Love for Unemployed Job Seekers 30 - 50 years of age.'

'Tough Love for Unemployed Job Seekers over 50 years of age.'

Please note, these are supportive pieces designed to help you!

First Published: 8 October 2024

Last Update: 8 October 2024

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Sue Ellson GK BBus MPC PCDAA ASA WV SPN MEdPlus AWS

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