How to destroy your chances of getting hired
“Why didn't I get the job?” is the most universal question job seekers ask.
You will seldom know the real reason.
Wishful thinkers sell themselves the false narrative that the most qualified candidate gets hired. This is simply untrue.
Of all business activities, hiring is the most biased. A candidate's charisma plays a significant part in getting hired, as does being a referral — the power of networking.
However, candidates often — qualified as they may be — destroy their chances of getting hired.
Regardless of how many letters you have after your name, your years of experience or your reputation within your industry/field, there are many reasons an employer is not saying “Yes” to you.
The most common reason being: your social media is a turnoff.
The fact that your digital footprint influences your job search and career should not be shocking news to anyone anymore. Whether or not you are an avid social media user, you have an online presence. Even if you work hard to avoid technology, there is no way to avoid having others publish, share, or comment about you online.
Do not assume employers will not Google you, scrutinize
your social media activities and review your LinkedIn profile to decide if you are interviewworthy.
If you are applying for jobs you are well qualified for, but are not getting responses, then I suggest you literally audit your digital footprint. Meticulously go through your social media accounts. Delete anything that does not reflect well on you and distracts from portraying you as a mature and responsible person.
TIP: Before you post anything on social media, ask yourself:
• Am I boasting? (Am I trying to impress?)
• Will this enhance or diminish my reputation (or personal brand)?
• Is it kind?
• Is it true?
TIP: Other than your LinkedIn
profile, change all your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) from public to private and delete any accounts you no longer use.
Other reasons include the following.
• You have got a negative attitude.
When interviewing candidates, I am surprised at how many complain about their former or current boss and sometimes their coworkers. Perhaps they believe this will demonstrate why they are looking to change employers or want me to know what they will not put up with.
Actually, when a candidate complains about their past or current employer, they are showing me they are not a team player, which is someone I do not hire.
Some sage advice regarding interviews: If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing.
• You did not do any research.
Even in the age of Google, I still get asked, “What does this company do?”
Without knowing the business, what it does, how it does it and what markets it serves, you cannot tell me, let alone convince me, how you can add value to the business.
In 2023, you have no excuse for not knowing an employer inside and out prior to your interview. • You smell bad.
Are you a smoker? Most people today do not smoke. Since your interviewer is likely a non-smoker, they will smell your cigarette smoke, which will turn them off.
Moreover, your interviewer will ask themselves how many smoke breaks you will take throughout the workday.
The same goes for heavy cologne or perfume use. You never know who has allergies or fragrance sensitivity.
Therefore, play it safe, and be clean and fresh when interviewing.
• You are desperate.
Have you ever done an interview while employed? If yes, I bet you were less nervous. Since you already had a job, you did not have the pressure to find a job to pay your bills. Hence, you were not desperate.
Coming across as being desperate is a turnoff. Play it cool, but not too cool — do not appear indifferent about whether you get hired.
• You do not look the part. (Image is everything!)
How you look when walking into an interview or greeting your interviewer in the reception area cannot be overstated.
How you dress is how you will be judged if:
• You are serious about being hired.
• You are “one of them.” (You will be a fit.)
• You have respect for yourself and those around you.
• Your salary expectations are unrealistic.
The value to an employer many job seekers have of themselves is often questionable. When a candidate asks for more money, benefits and perks than the position warrants, I end the interview.
Research the salary range of the job you are applying for in your area and be prepared to negotiate a compensation package you will be satisfied with. Although start-ups and small family businesses likely cannot offer you the compensation and benefits that large well-established companies can, they may provide advantages worthwhile considering. (Example: fewer office politics, greater flexibility, more hands-on experience.)
The good news is that all the above issues can be fixed — yes, even a digital footprint that turns off employers can be corrected. It is just a matter of being honest with yourself, not playing the “I'm a victim!” game that some “ism” is why you are not getting hired and honestly (READ: critically) evaluating how you present yourself in interviews.