10 Reasons You Didn’t Get a Callback or The Job

Michelle Wilson - September 19, 2019

So picture this: You just applied for the job of your dreams, and you get a call. The company wants to set up a phone interview! Excited, you begin preparing for the interview, you don’t do much, browse the company website, dream of the future position, and wait for the call. After the call, even though you feel that it went well, you don’t hear back from the company for weeks. Weeks turn into months, and you quickly realize that they hired someone else to fill the position that you so desperately wanted! What went wrong?

Well, many things might have ruined your opportunity at landing the position. This blog post will help you target the mistakes you made, and what you need to do to get a callback or a second interview for the job. Here are ten reasons you might not have gotten a second interview.

You didn’t Cater to Your Audience

Some things should be left unsaid. In an interview or phone call, be sure to note the interviewer that you are talking with and the company that they represent. It would probably be unwise to mention things such as the competitors, or anything else that is negative regarding the business. However, some things definitely should be said. You really should know what the company is looking for before you go into the interview or phone call. That way, you can let them know precisely how you will be improving the quality of their business.

You Failed to do Your Research

Doing research might seem tedious or unnecessary, but it is a great way to show the interviewer that you care about organization and strategy. You should know what the company wants out of its employees. You should know everything that the job description listed to a tee. Then, you should present yourself as the logical solution to those “dilemmas.” Researching the company can be one of the easiest ways to stand out from the other potential hires.

Your Social Media Accounts are Boring

Social media continues to be a crazy part of the world today. The amount of people on Facebook is staggering. Instagram and Snapchat are exploding as well. It would help if you had a professional and enticing social media presence in today’s business world. Now, don’t go uploading everything you do on all of your accounts, but make sure your pictures and posts look good. Also, make sure to trim out any unprofessional posts or photos. Get rid of any posts where you are cursing or using inappropriate language. Pictures of you drinking or partying should probably get tossed out the window. The business will most likely check your social media, and if they don’t like what they see, there is no way you will ever get a callback.

You didn’t Follow up

Follow-ups are crucial to winning jobs. First of all, in the actual interview or phone call, always have questions ready. Create these questions when you do your research on the company. Make sure you are listening while the interviewer is talking if you can also jot down a new issue to go along with your other ones. Adding a fresh and relevant question can really make a great first impression. Lis will show your interviewer that you are paying attention when other people speak. Then, it’s probably a good idea to write thank you notes to the people who were involved with the interview process. It shows that you are grateful for the time they spent investing in you. All of these little things are what truly set you apart in the job search.

You seem Sloppy or Unorganized

Your dress should be professional, and you should never give off the impression that you are a hassle. If you can’t find things when you need to present them, or you look like you just rolled out of bed to an interview, odds are things are going to get worse when you come into work regularly. Dress the part of the job that you want, and go prepared for every situation.

You Talked with a Victim Mentality

Don’t create problems! Create solutions! If you go into a phone call and explain that your bosses are always out to get you, and that is why you lost your last job, it creates the idea that problems follow you. Interviewers are responsible for picking the best person for the job; the victim mentality does not make the interviewer feel bad for you; instead, it makes them positive that there is a much better candidate elsewhere.

You Lack Confidence

Confidence is key. When you step into an interview, look the interviewer in the eyes, and smile. Be sure to give them a firm handshake, and be willing to do whatever they ask. You want the job they are offering, so present yourself as you deserve it. Your confidence should be a direct reflection of your quality and preparedness. If you fail to prepare, you can’t be confident just winging an interview. If you aren’t qualified for the position, then you probably shouldn’t have applied in the first place.

Your Resume had Mistakes

Your Resume is one thing that you have the power to control going into an interview. This post has already talked about how much you should prepare, but there is little you can control. Your Resume is one of the few items that can you can directly control. If you want a specific job, one of the best things you can do is compile a stunning and attention-grabbing resume. Spend time and research on what the Resume should look like for that particular niche. Your resume should never have any mistakes. Double and triple-check it before you submit it. A comma splice or fragment could be the difference between the job of your dreams, and unemployment.

You are Missing key References

References are important. Good references are even more critical. Make sure that your references are relevant, and that they give you a good recommendation. If you have an extremely qualified reference that gives a bad report about your work, you can guarantee that you won’t be getting the job.

You Seem Desperate

Again, be confident, not desperate. The new position might be the only job you even have on the horizon, but you have to mask your desire and desperation. Desperation makes you sound powerless and like a potential problem. You want the person interviewing you to think, “I know this person will come through.” After all, they are the one hiring you, and it will reflect on their name in the company. So, even if you are desperate, mask that desperation with confidence, preparedness, and charisma. Instill confidence into the person interviewing you. Carrying yourself like this will give you a much better shot at getting the job.a

There are many other reasons that you might not get the job. Strategic thinking is helpful when you are applying for jobs. There are many people today that are also applying. You have to beat them in professionalism, etiquette, and overall personality. Take time to follow these steps, and you might be surprised how much of a difference it will make in your next interview.