Do you keep getting job rejections? You’re not alone. It’s a tough market out there & sometimes it simply isn’t your fault. However, it could also be you and something that you need to fix or improve. In this post, I will highlight 5 common reasons why people get job rejections.

I remember the painful feeling of getting rejected after job interviews. It was even worse when I assumed that the interview had gone extremely well and the “professional chemistry” was there. 

However, rejection is a normal part of life, whether it’s job interviews, entrepreneurship, close relationships and so on. 

In fact, rejection can, to some extent, be used as constructive feedback and a tool for improvement. Hence, it’s important to be modest and have an open mind about how you’re performing in job interviews. 

Personally, I have applied to a lot of jobs in my early days when I just graduated. Plus, when I did grow a team for my startup, StudyFlats, I went through 1000s of CVs. 

Therefore, I can hopefully offer a double-sided perspective on the issue of job rejection. 

Here are 5 common reasons why you keep getting job rejections.

icon for non-existent job as a reason for candidates getting job rejections

The job did not exist

Yes, sometimes there are fake jobs being advertised. The motives behind these could vary, and include (but are not limited to):

  • Data and information theft 
  • Getting free work out of applicants, in cases where practical “tests” and “assignments” are involved 
icon image for section about a candidate getting job rejection because they were not good enough

You were simply not good enough 

Harsh truth, but it must be said. Sometimes, you are simply not good enough for something at a certain time of your life. And that’s okay!

Take it as a sign that it was not meant to be and there are better options laid down for you down the road. So long as you make an active effort to improve yourself at all times. 

You were “too” good for the job

The opposite of the previous scenario can be applicable too. 

And I am sure that most readers have heard the term “overqualified”. Believe me, it’s a real issue (speaking from personal experience).

This is a truth that many do not speak about: employers do not always prioritise “competency” in candidate selection. 

There are other factors that an employer considers when hiring a new candidate, such as:

  • Loyalty: is the employee likely to quit soon?
  • Being manageable: is this candidate easy to manage as an employee?

Being overly skilled for a role goes directly against the spirit of the two points mentioned above. 

icon image for poor communication skills as a reason for job rejections

You have poor communication skills 

You may have the skills and qualifications for the job. 

However, job applications are inherently centred around rapport and personal impressions. Therefore, having poor communication skills is a high-risk factor for job rejection. 

icon image for bad cv/resume as a reason for job rejections

Poor CV and/or cover letter  

And lastly, a poorly written or formatted CV/cover letter can be detrimental to a job application. 

Your CV and cover letter are the first impressions that you give to a potential employer. Therefore, any negative attributes may result in a job rejection. 

These are some common reasons why you may be getting job rejections. If you need help with your CV or cover letter, check out my services for job seekers. 

About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. As a solo founder, I grew my business to 30+ UK cities, with a global client base across 100+ countries. Following the Pandemic killing my precious work/business, I now work as business and vocational consultant.