6 REAL Reasons You Didn’t Get The Job
The Employer Will Never Tell You Even If They’re True
“How dare they!” says a frustrated job seeker. “I was near perfect at the interview. Every question they threw at me I nailed. They even told me how great a fit I’d be for the job. But I just called them and they’ve given the position to someone else. What gives?”
Been there and done that, most job seekers will confirm. Sometimes a sure thing evaporates in a flash. Maybe you’ll get an explanation. Probably not. Even if they do give a reason it’s likely to be something you can’t sue for, such as...
• We found someone with more experience
• We decided to go in another direction
This may well be true. Or it could be a cover up to avoid embarrassment. Here are 6 reasons you didn’t get hired that no employer will ever tell you officially. If you suspect it’s why you find yourself still poring over the Monster.ca job postings, keep on looking for a place that values you for you.
REASON 1. None Of Us Liked You
Likeability is intangible. It doesn’t show up on your resume. Different people will respond to you in their own ways regardless. It’s not like you can fake a new personality at each interview.
ADVICE: Be your true self as much as possible – but be your best self when job hunting. Keep showing extra enthusiasm. Go out of your way to make others feel good about you. Avoid being someone you’re not: no one can act that convincingly beyond the first month at work.
REASON 2. You’re Not Attractive Enough
What? Some employers favour eye-catching employees? Look around at a fitness facility. Or beauty salon. Certain occupations (restaurant hostess, flight attendant) aren’t kind to the less photogenic. Neither are employers who place a premium on outer beauty when that’s not even part of their mandate.
ADVICE: Spruce yourself up in reasonable ways because you want to look professional in any event. Upgrade your hairstyle. Wear flattering clothes. Just don’t go overboard: if you’re contemplating plastic surgery, could be you should be checking out alternative avenues for employment.
REASON 3. You’re Much Too Attractive
One of the big American banks was sued by an employee who claimed she was fired for being too sexy. Mind you, she’d spent thousands on cosmetic surgery and enhancements. It worked so well that claims were made she was distracting her colleagues from doing their jobs.
ADVICE: Focus on what you bring to the table, not so much on how you turn heads. Very few jobs require you to merely be gorgeous. Most models spend years learning how to pose and be poised. If you want to be taken seriously, downplay your looks by showing a track record of strong performance.
REASON 4. We Hired The Vice-President’s Brother-In-Law Instead
Hiring family members (nepotism), long time friends, or romantic partners. You never know who’ll apply for the same job as you. Or be asked to submit their resume at the last minute.
ADVICE: Chalk it up to experience. This sort of thing is bound to happen once in a while. No need to take it personally. There’s nothing you could have done to change the outcome anyway.
REASON 5. We Intended To Hire An Insider All AlongYou knew it, didn’t you. It was a set up from the start. You were interviewed just so the employer could claim that they looked at a few “outsiders.” You end up angry they wasted your precious time.
ADVICE: Ditto REASON 4. Let this one roll off your back like water off a duck. Unless you have the inside scoop on every job you apply for, occasionally you’ll get snared by this little deceit.
REASON 6. We Found Someone Who’ll Let Us Exploit Them
Some employers like to hire people they can take advantage of. Like undocumented immigrants, or younger, naive employees who’ll put up with just about anything if they desperately need the experience.
ADVICE: Keep on looking for a place that respects your rights. The better employers hire not for short-term exploitation. Their focus is rather on developing their people over a period of time, assisting them in growing into greater levels of responsibility. (By Mark Swartz - Monster-Writer)
hope that helps,
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