Rejected for a job I was perfect for: 4 reasons why

Are you asking yourself, “Why was I rejected for a job I was perfect for?” Here are four possible reasons and how to remedy the situation. Once you understand why you were passed over for the job, make sure you don’t have the same problem the next time around. Take the steps to fix it, based on what you learn below.

The wrong look

First of all, consider that it could be an issue with your appearance. Appearance does matter for virtually every industry, whether you like it or not. It’s particularly crucial for any position that will involve you interacting with clients and customers.

Businesses want to choose someone who fits or even elevates their brand identity. A professional style is a part of this.

If, for instance, you have missing teeth, then you have a low chance of being hired as a receptionist in a healthcare setting. Superficial though it may seem, a candidate like this will benefit from oral surgery to show that they take care of their health well.

Otherwise, you would represent a medical team and provide support without taking the best care of your own health. That sends a mixed message to patients and others, and it may lower their trust in not only you but the business that you represent as an employee.

This example is just one of many that show how issues with your look could stop you from getting a great job. Take the time to think carefully about what you’ll wear for any job interview to show you take care in your appearance, which indicates you will take the career role seriously too.

Here are three more reasons why you might be wondering, “Why was I rejected for a job I was perfect for?”

Social media trouble

It’s possible that the issue is related to social media. Social media checks are common these days for job applications. Indeed, it’s one of the first steps that a hiring manager will take in their background check.

Why is that? The employer wants to make sure that there is nothing there that might embarrass them further down the line. Given this insight, think carefully about what you post on social media and what you make public.

Be aware that becoming a digital ghost is also not the answer. Employers are looking for people with contacts in the industry and you won’t have this without a strong social media presence.

Low confidence explains why rejected for a job I was perfect for

Employers are always going to pick up on issues with low confidence. Don’t forget, if you are pursuing a dream position, they will be searching for someone who can handle things with ease.

The company doesn’t want someone who they will need to take by the hand through every step because the employee isn’t sure of themselves. That’s especially true if you have the education and experience that shows you ought to know what you’re doing.

Even if you have all the knowledge, if it looks like you have a low level of confidence, that’s all an employer is going to see in you. To ensure that you seem more confident, think about eye contact.

Did you hold the gaze of the interviewer? Were you able to answer their questions without looking away? Did your voice sound confident, rather than wavering?

It’s important that you don’t avoid making eye contact and also that you speak in a way that shows you know what you’re talking about. Otherwise, you may seem unprepared at the job interview.

Also, be ready with lots of questions to ask at the end of the interview. Doing that gives the impression that you are prepared to take on the position. It shows interest and enthusiasm in the vacancy, as well. Those attributes are ones that are less likely to get me rejected for a job that I was perfect for, and the same goes for you.

Poor referencing

Finally, it could be an issue with a past employer that is causing you trouble when you are pursuing jobs. Even if you don’t include references on your resume, employers might still check with past businesses that you have worked for to find out how you performed.

In fact, leaving off references from the job application might encourage a hiring manager to do this out of curiosity. If you worry about that, then it’s best to speak with past employers to clear up any issues.

Or, another option is to leave that position off your updated resume completely. While this can leave a gap in your work history, you might decide it’s a better option than risking having a negative work experience get in the way of getting the dream job.

Have you ever thought, “Why was I rejected for a job I was perfect for?”