But rejection is NOT a sign that you\u2019re not good enough. It\u2019s typically a simple problem with a solution. Below is the most likely reasons why your job application was rejected straight away. The one thing that you\u2019ll notice is that they\u2019re all things you can control. That means your future is in your own hands.<\/p>\n
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Why do I Keep Getting Rejected for Jobs?<\/h2>\n
A job application rejected immediately can make you feel worthless. But by identifying what the problem was, you can continually work on your applications. Before long, you\u2019ll have learned precisely what it takes to get a job.<\/p>\n
1) You Weren\u2019t a Good Fit<\/h3>\n
The most obvious reason why your application was rejected is that you weren\u2019t qualified for the role. Most jobs require something: a certain amount of experience or qualification. This is normally made obvious in the job description. The vast majority of the time, this isn\u2019t a recommendation. It\u2019s a requirement. So, go back and look at the jobs you applied for. Did you fit the specification they were looking for?<\/p>\n
Look for the following requirements:<\/p>\n
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- Licenses required to do the job, e.g., in food preparation and hygiene<\/li>\n
- Education needed to do the job, e.g., high school diploma or college degree<\/li>\n
- Experience required to do the job, e.g., a particular number of years in the same field<\/li>\n
- They wanted someone younger. There are jobs for women aged 50+<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"why](\"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Why-Job-Applications-Get-Rejected-Immediately.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAccording to The Hill<\/a><\/strong>, over a third of Americans have a degree. However, that doesn\u2019t mean that you have the experience. And having the experience doesn\u2019t mean you have the knowledge to back yourself up. You have to make sure you\u2019re a good fit, whatever you apply for.<\/p>\n
How to be a Good Fit for a Business<\/h4>\n
It\u2019s possible for employers to make an exception if you don\u2019t have quite enough experience. You may also get away with having grades just a bit lower than you should. But, if you continually apply for jobs you\u2019re not a good fit for, you\u2019re wasting your own time. Commit to widening your search to find more jobs you\u2019re suitable for in the future.<\/p>\n
2) Fix a Poor Quality Resume<\/h3>\n
The problem could also be that your resume isn\u2019t quite polished enough. If you\u2019re not tailoring your resume to fit each application, you\u2019re dramatically lowering your chances of success. That\u2019s because a customized resume says one thing to an employer. It says: I care about this position, and I want you to hire me.<\/p>\n
By contrast, a cookie-cutter resume has a fast track straight to the trash. It gives the opposite impression: Sure, I\u2019d like you to hire me, but I\u2019m never going to go beyond the bare minimum effort if you do. Even if that\u2019s not true of you, that\u2019s what employers are thinking. Put yourself in their shoes: who would you hire?<\/p>\n
A poor-quality resume might also be structured badly or full of small mistakes. Little problems like these can genuinely be the difference between being shortlisted and\u2026 not. Double check your resume to make sure there aren\u2019t any obvious spelling mistakes.<\/p>\n
How to Write a Better Resume<\/h4>\n
A little time and effort are all you need. Set aside an evening to work on your resume and make sure it\u2019s not full of mistakes. Then, when you\u2019re about to apply for a job, take another look. If the job description says that an employer wants a confident self-starter, pepper those words somewhere in your resume. That\u2019s all it takes to tailor your resume and increase your chances of getting hired.<\/p>\n
3) You Don\u2019t Know How to Sell Yourself<\/h3>\n
Next up, the problem might be that you\u2019re not that great at selling yourself. This is something that can be a little unfair. Say, for example, you have the right skills and qualifications. But you\u2019ve never been the kind of person to blow your own trumpet and talk about your successes. Being humble has its time and place\u2014that place isn\u2019t on a resume.<\/p>\n
Take a look at your resume. Put yourself in an employer\u2019s shoes. Do you feel impressed? Or is it just a list of dates and business names?<\/p>\n
The Solution:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
When you write your resume and cover letter, you have to fill it full of hype. Don\u2019t just list what you\u2019ve done and where you\u2019ve worked.<\/p>\n
Put yourself forward and make yourself sound impressive:<\/p>\n
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- When I worked at ABC Inc., I achieved this<\/li>\n
- During my time at XYZ Corp., I increased productivity in my department this much<\/li>\n
- Over the course of my career, I\u2019ve been named the employee of the month this many times<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Even if you\u2019ve not worked much before, this still applies. Talk about things you\u2019ve achieved in sports or school. Or just make more of your essential skills so that you’re more marketable.<\/p>\n
4) You Didn\u2019t Want It Enough<\/h3>\n
This isn\u2019t intended to be a comment on your commitment to getting back to work. Instead, it\u2019s to point out a simple fact. When you\u2019re out of work for an increasingly long time, you can get desperate. That leads to you feeling you\u2019d take any job\u2014anything. So what you spend your time doing is applying for anything and everything that comes your way.<\/p>\n
There are benefits and drawbacks to this approach. Obviously, getting your resume out there as much as possible only increases your chances. In terms of putting your eggs in a number of baskets, that\u2019s great. But in terms of proving to employers that you want their job, it\u2019s not such a good idea.<\/p>\n
![\"automated](\"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/quick-job-rejection.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen an employer looks at a resume and cover letter, they want to know that you want what they\u2019re offering. They want somebody who\u2019s committed for the long term and will give their all in the role. To find somebody who fits that mold, they look for the following signs that you want to work there.<\/p>\n
- \n
- You flat-out state I would enjoy working for ABC Corp. because\u2026<\/li>\n
- You express interest in specific things about the job. For example, you talk about the specific on-the-job training they offer.<\/li>\n
- You express interest in the career path you could follow from the position on offer. So, for example, you plan on taking the job and moving up the ladder to management<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Find Jobs You Really Want<\/h4>\n
First things first, you have to make sure that every job you apply for, you actually want. Sure, you would be happy with any job right now. But six months down the line, if you\u2019re in a job you hate, you\u2019ll be just as desperate to leave. When you apply for jobs, don\u2019t let your desperation show. Only pick jobs you\u2019d really like.<\/p>\n
Then, when you do apply, make sure to make it clear how much you want that job. Use the three tips above to spruce up your cover letter. Which brings us to our next point\u2014what if you don\u2019t have one?<\/p>\n
5) You Didn\u2019t Send a Cover Letter<\/h3>\n
The problem might have been that you didn\u2019t send a cover letter. If you\u2019re not in the habit of sending one, now is the time to start. If you didn\u2019t know, cover letters are a vital part of any application. They\u2019re essentially a one-page piece\u2014almost like a small essay\u2014on why you want to apply for the job, and what in particular you think makes you stand out.<\/p>\n
Cover letters give you the opportunity to really hone in on your strengths. In a resume, you\u2019re restricted to one or two lines to describe what you achieved at a particular workplace. In a cover letter, you can go into a little more detail. They give you an opportunity to meld everything together and give a great impression.<\/p>\n
How to Write a Cover Letter:<\/h4>\n
Set aside an evening that you can work on your cover letter. You start them off like a regular letter: To whom it may concern or Dear John Smith.<\/p>\n
In your first paragraph, cover the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Where you heard about the opening<\/li>\n
- What drew you in and made you apply for the job<\/li>\n
- What you like about ABC Corp.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Next, detail what you think makes you a good fit for the job. Use the job description here. If they want a good team player, talk about how good a team player you are. If they want somebody confident, talk about how you showed confidence in a previous role. End by asking them to genuinely consider your application, because you\u2019d really love to work for them.<\/p>\n
The great thing about writing your cover letter and resume is that you\u2019re in control of the whole process, from start to finish. But what about if the reason you\u2019re getting rejected isn\u2019t your fault?<\/p>\n
6) The Employer Uses an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)<\/h3>\n
An applicant tracking system is a piece of software that automatically screens applicants. As an employer, you can use them to filter out applicants that don\u2019t make the grade for any reason you like.<\/p>\n
For example:<\/p>\n
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- If your resume doesn\u2019t mention that you have a degree or diploma, you\u2019re automatically out<\/li>\n
- If your resume doesn\u2019t use a particular keyword\u2014like \u2018team\u2019\u2014you\u2019re automatically out<\/li>\n
- If you haven\u2019t included enough experience on your resume, you\u2019re automatically out<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"getting](\"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/why-do-i-keep-getting-rejected-for-jobs.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat’s the problem with ATS software? If you don\u2019t tick every box, nobody at the business will ever see your resume. This eliminates any slack you might get from a real person. This can be especially frustrating if you have three years\u2019 experience and a perfect skill set, but the employer asked for four years\u2019 experience. A person might give you slack. ATS software won\u2019t.<\/p>\n
How to Avoid Applicant Tracking Systems<\/h4>\n
There\u2019s nothing you can do to tell which businesses use ATS software. According to Capterra<\/a><\/strong>, an incredible 75% of employers do. However, there is a way around it: apply in person where possible. Make a point of going out in person to apply for jobs one day a week. Print off your cover letter and resume\u2014enough times that you can hand them out to a few different employers.<\/p>\n
This is the difficult part: walking into businesses and asking if they have positions available. It might feel awkward, but you\u2019ll get used to it.<\/p>\n
7) Unemployed for Too Long<\/h3>\n
It\u2019s a vicious circle: the longer you\u2019re out of work, the harder it gets to find a job. That\u2019s because employers don\u2019t know why you\u2019ve been unemployed. It could be because of family issues. It could be because of an injury. But, like always, put yourself in the shoes of an employer. If they see you\u2019ve been unemployed for three years, the first question they\u2019ll ask is: why?<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, this problem is difficult to get around. That\u2019s why, according to Trading Economics<\/a><\/strong>, around 1% of US citizens are \u2018long-term\u2019 unemployed. You can\u2019t address it easily without looking like you\u2019re making excuses. But if you don\u2019t address it, the employer fills in the blanks for themselves.<\/p>\n
The Solution:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
The best way to fill the gaps in your resume is by taking volunteer work, or by working as an intern. Positions like these don\u2019t usually care about experience. They might not pay\u2014or might not pay much\u2014but they fill in employment gaps on your resume<\/strong><\/a>. They can also give you a valuable \u2018in\u2019 into specific industries. Creative industries like graphic design spring to mind, but the same rule applies across the board.<\/p>\n
8) Too Overqualified for a Job<\/h3>\n
Another problem beyond your control is that you might be overqualified. Because of the nature of the job market and education, there are plenty of people with degrees, but not quite enough well-paid work to go around. That means that graduates are applying for entry-level jobs.<\/p>\n
There are overqualified applicants all across the economy. This means that people with skills and qualifications are accepting more and more part-time, under-stimulating work. Unfortunately, when you\u2019re overqualified for a position, three alarm bells start ringing for an employer.<\/p>\n
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- If you have a college degree, you probably feel you should be earning more than minimum wage. If you\u2019re applying for an entry-level position, the hiring manager will think they\u2019re going to want far more than I\u2019m willing to offer. So, without even asking, they reject your resume out of hand.<\/li>\n
- You\u2019ve been rejected everywhere else. <\/strong>If you\u2019re applying for jobs that aren\u2019t in your field\u2014or that are entry level\u2014your potential employer will start to wonder why. Maybe it\u2019s because you\u2019ve been rejected wherever you applied. Not a good sign.<\/li>\n
- You\u2019ll be moving on. <\/strong>Last, they\u2019ll think that even if they do hire you, you\u2019ll move on soon. You\u2019ll want more wages or a place higher up on the ladder. Or maybe you\u2019ll want to move back into the field you studied in. Not good if they\u2019re looking to hire long term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/how-many-job-rejections-is-normal.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEven if you\u2019d be willing to accept minimum wage, these are the three impressions you\u2019re making by applying for positions beneath your qualifications.<\/p>\n
The Solution:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Keep working on finding a position you are qualified for. Depending on the industry, openings might be few and far between. Increase your chances by spending more time on each application you make instead.<\/p>\n
9) There\u2019s Too Much Competition for Jobs<\/h3>\n
This applies especially to jobs that get a lot of candidates interested. When a business is hiring for a popular job, they can afford to be choosy. They can afford to shortlist only the very, very best applications they received. If you\u2019re not the best of the best, then you\u2019ll miss out\u2014even though you\u2019re still qualified and a good fit.<\/p>\n
This applies both to low and high-level jobs. When the economy in a certain area isn\u2019t so great, there can be hundreds of applications, all for the same basic jobs. This means you\u2019re unlikely to be picked simply because of the sheer number of people going for the same job.<\/p>\n
- You\u2019ll be moving on. <\/strong>Last, they\u2019ll think that even if they do hire you, you\u2019ll move on soon. You\u2019ll want more wages or a place higher up on the ladder. Or maybe you\u2019ll want to move back into the field you studied in. Not good if they\u2019re looking to hire long term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n