Why do I keep getting job application rejections?

 Why do I keep getting job application rejections?

We've all been there, find the perfect job, apply, wait... then days, or in some cases weeks later, get a rejection letter.

But why?

This can be difficult to answer. There can be many reasons why a company does not process your job application. Sometimes we can get frustrated with the process and be quick to try to blame something or someone for our lack of job search progress.

So take a deep breath and focus on some issues or problems that might be holding us back!

What are some of the reasons you keep getting rejected?

While this is not an extensive list, there are some basic things we can and should consider. Take a judicious approach when going through them…

Job Offer

An important part of the process is monitoring the details contained in the job advertisement. Do you fully understand the role and the specific requirements the company is looking for?

For example: while a company may be advertising for an administrative assistant, something you may have done in the past, they may be looking for some specific skills, tasks, or experience that may not be obvious from the job title.

In my many years of recruiting, you'd be surprised how many applications come from individuals who don't fit the requirements of the role or come from completely different backgrounds and industries.

While there's nothing wrong with crossing sectors or taking a different career path, it can be a very positive move, you need to understand what skills you offer, what's transferable between them, and what skills meet the requirements of the role. You need to highlight these transferable skills in your resume and cover letter, they may not be immediately obvious to a recruiter or hiring manager.

If you're not sure if your skills meet the requirements of the role, why not call their HR team and ask? Tell them you want to clarify how you fit the role and have an open discussion about it. During such interviews, you can gain access to key information that will allow you to fine-tune your resume/cover letter to further increase your prospects of moving on to the next stage.

Check the application process/requirements!

At the end of each advertisement, there is often information on how to apply. It can be as simple as submitting your resume and cover letter by clicking the apply now button.

However, make sure you follow all the specific requirements. If you're applying for a role that says "please send a cover letter along with your resume describing what specifically made you want to apply for this position.

If the ad requires a cover letter, send it.

You want to show that you can follow instructions and have an eye for detail.

I remember one particular role I was recruiting for, I asked for a resume, a cover letter, and a two-page statement asking the applicant to state how their skills met the specific requirements of the role. This role was very specific and required exceptional attention to detail. Out of over 70 applicants, only 5 followed the process, demonstrating attention to detail.

Is your resume perfect for the concern job?

Seems simple, right?

Well... only if they are. They must be easy to navigate, key information must be legible within 5 to 20 seconds of someone viewing the document.

If you've held several specific professions, you should have separate focused CVs that allow you to demonstrate your specific skills and experience to the sector in depth, rather than a broad and overly general CV.

Are your contact details correct?

Basic, I know, but...

You'd be surprised how many times I've tried to contact an applicant and they had the wrong mobile number or email contacts on file. This simply creates the wrong impression and shows a lack of attention to detail.

Are you sending the correct version of your resume/cover letter?

Please review your resume and cover letter before submitting your application. You may have made some updates and may have submitted an old version without key information.

When I was recruiting, I was getting at least 10 resumes a day that was reviewed by a friend who added tracked changes. The requester did not review or accept the change and simply submitted a resume with the changes highlighted...often with grammatical and spelling errors. So always check before applying.

Your cover letter, you addressed to the right company and person. This is something that is often forgotten. People adapt their cover letter, forget about it and use it to apply for a new role a few weeks later - this mistake can ruin your chances of applying.

Any suggestions?

There can be any number of reasons why you are not moving forward in your job search. We recommend that you speak to a professional and ask them to carry out a CV/health check.

A staffing agency or resume service agency can help you with this, and often the service can be free of charge.

If you keep getting rejected, the best thing to do is to take a step back and spend some time creating and improving your resume and cover letter and seek professional advice.