First, I hope none of this stops you from applying for a position you really want. Especially one you believe you can handle. Let the employer decide you’re not right for the job — unless you’re clearly not even a close match. Just give it your best shot.
As I’ve learned in the past, you can be missing “requirements” and still find a way in. Though admittedly things have become harder now with so much of the initial resume screening being automated. But even that isn’t always a dead end.
⇒ I Don’t Meet Job Requirements. Should I Still Try?
What’s “not right for job” to an employer?
Some employers make hiring criteria so precise (inflexible) odds are they’re a lost cause if you don’t have it all. And if you rely on simply waiting for job postings online and follow the standard application route, again the screening system may never let your resume get seen by anyone human.
⇒ 12 “Insider” Tips For Beginning a New Job Search
So in some cases — unfair as it may be — not right for the job is simply not meeting their rigid advertised requirements. It’s not that you may not be perfect for the job, but no one will ever know unless you find a way in other than through badly-designed screening processes.
But let’s say you did get an interview via screening … or found someone through networking to champion your application. And you make it through your first interview or two. But you’re still rejected because you’re “not right for the job.”
So why don’t they want you?
A few possibilities of what “not right” means to them:
- You have the skills but one or more of the interviewers preferred someone else.
- Again you have the skills but left a bad impression with someone along the way. Even a receptionist!
- They didn’t think you’d fit well within the company or team.
- You’re too qualified or not qualified enough in their eyes, no matter how well you tried to explain why you are right.
- Your interview was too wooden or overly aggressive or lacked listening skills or too self-absorbed or simply felt like you weren’t being real with them.
I guess by now you get the idea. How right you are for a job is often an “eye of the beholder” thing. And not always something you can control. More on why you missed out on an offer:
⇒ 10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job Offer
What if you’re not right for the job?
So is a rejection a lost cause? Not always. While no guarantees, it pays to at least give it one more shot by sending a “thank you anyway even if rejected” letter:
⇒ Rejected? Sample Job Rejection Thank You Note
But it also helps to brush up your interview skills for the next time. Some more posts to help:
How To Mentally Prepare for a Job Interview
12 Things You Need To Know BEFORE a Job Interview
Job Interview Nerves? Tips for Before, During & After
Can You Reapply If a Company Turns You Down?
18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace Your Job Interview
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
5 Interview Skills To Help Connect the “Hire Me” Dots
Is It OK To Ask for Feedback After a Job Interview?
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