10 Reasons someone might not hire you
Not Getting Hired? 10 Reasons Why
You
don't understand. You updated your résumé, you're applying to jobs
every day, you've cleaned up your digital dirt and you network every
day. Yet here you still are on the unemployment list. What is wrong with
employers?
Unfortunately, many job seekers don't stop to consider that the problem might not be employers but themselves.
It's
a hard concept that most job seekers have trouble wrapping their heads
around, but applicants frequently (and inadvertently) display signs that
tell an employer that they're not the best fit for the job.
According
to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey, 47 percent of employers said that
finding qualified applicants is their biggest hiring challenge. When
asked to identify the most valuable characteristics in new hires,
employers cited multitasking, initiative and creative problem-solving.
Do
you lack what employers want? Yes, there are fewer jobs and there is
more competition, but are you doing everything you can? Here are 10
reasons why employers might have passed you by.
1. You lie
Any
lies you tell in your job search, whether on your résumé or in an
interview, will come back to haunt you. In a 2008 CareerBuilder survey,
49 percent of hiring managers reported they caught a candidate lying on
his or her résumé; of those employers, 57 percent said they
automatically dismissed the applicant. Everything you tell an employer
can be discovered, so it behooves you to be honest from the get-go. If
you're concerned about something in your past, invention is not the
answer. Use your cover letter to tell your story, focusing on your
strengths and accomplishments and explaining any areas of concern if
needed.
2. You have a potty mouth
It's certainly
tempting to tell anyone who will listen how big of a (insert expletive
here) your current boss is, but a hiring manager for a new job is not
that person. A 2009 CareerBuilder survey showed that 44 percent of
employers said that talking negatively about current or previous
employers was one of the most detrimental mistakes a candidate can make.
Find a way to turn those negative things job into positives. If you
can't get along with your co-workers, for example, tell the prospective
employer that you're looking for a work environment where you feel like
you're part of a team and your current position doesn't allow for that
kind of atmosphere.
3. You don't show long-term potential
Employers
want people in their organization to work their way up, so it's best to
show that you want to and can grow with the company. If you were asked
where you see yourself in five years and you gave an answer that wasn't
related to the position or company you're interviewing with, kiss your
chances goodbye. Ask questions like, "What type of career movement do
you envision for the most successful candidate in this role?" It shows
that you have envisioned your future at the company.
4. You have serious digital dirt
Social
networking sites and online searches are the newest way that many
employers are checking up on prospective hires. A 2009 CareerBuilder
survey showed that 45 percent of employers use social networking sites
to research candidates. Thirty-five percent of those employers found
content that caused them to dismiss the candidate. Make sure to remove
any photos, content or links that can work against you in an employer's
eyes.
5. You don't know ... well, anything
In two
separate 2009 CareerBuilder surveys, 58 percent of employers said that
coming to the interview with no knowledge of the company was a turnoff,
and 49 percent said that not asking good questions cost candidates a job
offer. Plain and simple, do your homework before an interview. Explore
the company online, prepare answers to questions and have someone give
you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will
take you seriously.
6. You acted bored, cocky or disinterested
A
little enthusiasm never hurt anyone, especially when it comes to a
potential new job. Forty-five percent of employers in a 2009
CareerBuilder survey said that the biggest mistake candidates made in
the interview was appearing disinterested and 42 percent said appearing
arrogant cost applicants the job. Every business wants to put their most
enthusiastic people forward with important clients and customers, so
acting the opposite will get you nowhere.
7. You were a little too personal
Seventeen
percent of employers said that candidates who provided too much
personal information in the interview essentially blew their chances at
the job, according to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey. Not only does
personal information offend some people, but anytime you talk about
topics such as your hobbies, race, age or religion, you're setting
yourself up for bias. Though it's illegal for employers to discriminate
against applicants because of any of these factors, some will do so,
regardless.
8. You were all dollars, and no sense
As a
general rule of thumb, you should never bring up salary before the
employer does. Doing so is tacky and makes the employer think that you
care about the money involved, not about helping the employer succeed.
If the topic does arise, however, be honest about your salary history.
Employers can verify your salary in a matter of minutes these days, so
lying only makes you look bad.
9. You didn't -- or can't -- give examples
Hiring
managers want people who can prove that they will increase the
organization's revenues, decrease its costs or help it succeed in some
way. If all you give to an employer is a bunch of empty words about your
accomplishments, you don't demonstrate how you can help the company. In
fact, 35 percent of employers said that the most detrimental mistake
candidates make is not providing specific examples in the interview. The
more you can quantify your work, the better.
10. You don't have enough experience
Managers
don't have as much time as they used to to train and mentor new
employees. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to hit
the ground running without a lot of hand-holding. The best way to show
that you know what you're doing is to give the employer concrete
examples of your experience in a given job duty.
Rachel Zupek is a
writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work
Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career
management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.
How to Answer the Question, “Why Should I Hire You?”
It's a loaded question, but your approach doesn't have to be.
Courtesy Don Charlton, Founder and chief product officer, Jazz
I've heard it. You've heard it. We've all heard it. "Why should I hire you?" Even if it is a loaded question, it's one that every candidate should be prepared to answer. It's fairly straightforward - the hiring manager just wants to know why you deserve the position more than other applicants (and there might be a dozen that qualify). This is a chance for you to be assertive, highlight your qualifications and show your excitement for the job. Here are three solid ways for you to approach your response:
1. Set Yourself Apart
First, you should definitely talk about your unique qualifications, and focus on the fields that you're an expert in. Perhaps a specific anecdote from a former job will help to explain how your skills have benefited a company in the past. This will give the hiring manager a better idea of how your skills can translate into the new position. When highlighting your strengths, context is key.
2. Share Past Achievements (But Don't Brag)
To be even more specific, you can hone in on past projects that you received accolades for, but try to stay humble. If you've helped transform a department or revamp a product, don't be afraid to mention it, but remember, there's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Whatever you choose to emphasize, make sure that it relates to the new role you're applying for, and that those achievements are atypical. In doing so, avoid comparing yourself to other people, and just focus on what you bring to the table.
3. Discuss Ideas for Improving the Company
Finally, if you know the industry inside and out, feel free to share concrete ideas you believe will give the company an edge. For example, if you're applying for an account manager role at an ad agency, you can discuss emerging trends in the online space that may lead to marketing insights. Also, you can highlight your professional network, and how these new connections will be advantageous to the company's growth.
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