The most common reasons you are not getting hired

13/10/22

Competition in HR and Finance is hot and not getting hired for a role can be difficult for candidates throughout their job search, especially if the reasons are not always clear. If employers do not provide feedback, understanding why they have chosen another candidate can be confusing. We asked our team to identify the most common reasons you are not getting hired and what you can do to change that.

Not having relevant experience

Common feedback we receive is that candidates simply did not have enough relevant experience or there was another candidate with more experience. While this comes with time, it may be that you have the experience but did not demonstrate that in the interview.

Make sure you show your skillset by relating back to real-life examples in order to demonstrate your ability to perform in the role. Before your interview, analyse the job description and write down one or two examples for each requirement.

Lack of preparation

Another common reason you may not be hired is due to a lack of preparation done on the company and actual business news. During an interview, you will be asked about the company and sector to measure your knowledge in relation to the role. Candidates that spend time going the extra mile to research shows a hiring manager you have a genuine desire to work there and are passionate about the role.

Read through industry news to see what is trending and dedicate time to research the company. Find out exactly what the role involves, watch videos to see what the culture is like, read annual reports to familiarise yourself with objectives and identify key stakeholders across the business. Spending this time can really set you apart from other candidates.

Nerves got the better of you

Feedback we often hear is that candidates have appeared ‘too nervous to align their experiences with the job description’. If you do not feel relaxed going into an interview, chances are you will not present the best version of yourself to the hiring manager.

It’s completely normal to feel nervous before interviewing, but you need to manage this in order to perform well in the interview. Taking steps to keep yourself relaxed will help when it comes to demonstrating skills and experiences, ultimately convincing the hiring manager you are right for the role.

You didn’t answer the question

Perhaps the most recurring feedback we receive is that candidates ‘go off on a tangent’ and do not answer the question being asked. If a hiring manager asks you a question, they want you to answer it. Keep your responses concise and make sure you answer their question, and if they ask you to provide an example then go into more detail.

Jacqui Wall, our Business Manager for HR Recruitment, explained “At a senior level, quite often people focus on what the team have done. But at top level, it’s important to demonstrate strategy that the individual has brought to the table”.

You would not fit into their culture

Culture is a big part of work, especially in the HR sector, and hiring managers must seriously take this into consideration when interviewing for a role. A contributing factor for not getting hired that we hear regularly is that candidates would not have fit into their culture.

This can be quite difficult to react to, but it probably means that the role was not right for you anyway. After all, you don’t want to take up a new position to find that you have to adapt and change yourself to fit into the team, so do not take this personally. There is a right role out there for everyone.

Before reading this, you might have been confused as to why you are not getting hired for a HR or Finance role. Hopefully after reading, you feel more positive about finding yourself a new role and will approach the process full of confidence.