Didn't get a job? Here are 9 reasons WHY!

Unfortunately, you were not chosen for the position.

Here are the 9 most common reasons from my experience, why you didn`t get the job.

1.    Your expertise didn`t fully match the expectations.

In other words - your professional experience, knowledge, skills, or leadership experience did not fully match the expectations of the role either in terms of quality or quantity.

2.    You are overqualified for the position.

Your position or job experience is above what the position needs. What does it mean? First of all, that it wouldn`t be a challenging career step for you. You might be bored and leave soon. Second, it usually indicates that your salary expectations are higher than the company`s planned budget for the position.

3.    You have experience and preference for different working style.

You might be used to and prefer a flexible working style, but applied for a company with strict structures, procedures, and working hours. Or the way around. You are used to being a part of a clear system, but the organization you applied for, can`t provide it. In either case, it might be seen as a risk for both of you.

4.    You didn`t succeed to show your motivation.

The interviewer or direct manager didn`t see your motivation and genius interest in the role. Either you actually didn`t have it, or you were too focused on presenting your skills that you couldn`t show it.

5.    Your location doesn`t match the company`s location.

You are not ready to relocate, but the company is not ready to have you working remotely. You might have reluctantly agreed to drive every day 2hrs to the office. But let`s be honest, if you would get a good job offer closer to your home, most probably you would be leaving immediately.

6.    You couldn`t find a common language with the direct manager.

You had different views and approaches on too many topics. Or too different personalities, to find a common language. If you couldn`t cooperate in 60minutes, most probably you won`t in everyday work.

7.    You were a great match, but there was even a better match.

It`s possible, that you were a truly great match, but there was someone, who fits even better.

8.    Position was filled internally or canceled.

It happens, that after a lot of interviews with external candidates company decides to fill the position internally. Or, the organization changes its strategy and cancels the position at all.

9. It`s destiny.

My 12 years in Turkey have taught me that whenever something makes no sense, you can easily put the blame on kısmet or destiny. Actually, even when it DOES make perfect sense, but you just don`t want to bother yourself too much with analyzing or be accountable for it. :-)

To avoid guessing, I advise asking the reason to the person who informs you about not getting the job, directly.

What to do when you have learned the reason? Finish that box of ice cream? Immediately make a plan what to fix in yourself "to do better" next time?

In my perspective, the most important message of the job rejection is that if you were not the best match for the company and role, it means it was not the best match for you either.

Make your conclusions & move on.

If you read this far (thank you!) here is an idea - stop thinking in terms of being chosen. Start thinking in terms of finding the right place for you, where to thrive, grow, and succeed by being yourself and doing what you love.

If it sounds tempting, but you have no idea how to do it - come say hi, I will show you!