Six Reasons Why Qualified Candidates Don’t Get the Job

You gave a stellar interview. You checked off every qualification in the job posting. You dressed to impress, you smiled, and used a firm handshake—you pretty much nailed it! So why didn’t you get the job despite being perfectly qualified for it? Here are some possible reasons.

You expected too much money

The subject of compensation usually doesn’t come up in the initial interview. But if you went into the lion’s den without doing your salary research, you may have unconsciously priced yourself out of the market by appearing overconfident of your self-worth. It’s a fine line between assertive and aggressive. Lesson: Stay flexible and signal that you’re open to negotiation.

You didn’t provide references

Turn back the clock—before you even arranged the interview, you should have reached out to at least three former supervisors or colleagues who would speak highly of you. Ask them to write you a brief reference letter, or offer to help them with some wording for their sign-off. Don’t let them be ambushed by the hiring manager after you’ve listed their contact info on your application.

You neglected your resume

Want to show how prospective employers how little you care? Send them a resume with typos, inconsistencies, weird formatting, and other obvious errors. Trust us, these things get noticed. You’re being judged on all aspects of your presentation, so put in the time to make your resume perfect. If you’re unsure, run it by a trusted colleague to check your work. To neglect this step is like having the perfect portfolio but showing up for the interview in torn jeans. (Don’t do that either.)

You hardly knew about the company

Again, don’t go in unprepared. You’re not just there to answer questions—you should ask some too. Show the recruiter that you care enough to know their company’s history, mission, and goals. Engage in a meaningful conversation about how their business fits into the industry as a whole, where they see themselves going in the next ten years, and—most impressively—how you can earn a gold star during your first three months there.

You got too comfortable

It’s one thing to give off a confident, relaxed vibe when conversing with the recruiter—it’s quite another to get so cozy that you start trashing your current or former boss, complaining about perceived mistreatment at prior companies, or making inappropriate jokes or comments. Some hiring managers will even lead you on in an effort to make you reveal your true colors. Don’t take the bait.

You left an ugly trail online

There’s one version of you in person: the buttoned-up charmer who blew the recruiter away. And then there’s another version of you online: the party animal showing off their mad keg-stand skills last Halloween—pictures of which the recruiter dug up as soon as you confidently walked out of the interview. Good impression . . . erased.

So next time you’re about to go in for a job that you’re supremely qualified for, make sure you eliminate these pitfalls first, and it’ll be yours!