You’ve already done the hard work in wowing them with your CV, and demonstrated your case for an interview through your LinkedIn profile but then it came to nothing at the interview so what were the reasons and what can you do about it?

Generally, there are 5 reasons why you didn’t get that job offer following the interview.

You look desperate.

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I really need this job” just before an interview? Perhaps you’ve recently faced redundancy and are in need of a stable income. It’s a situation that can happen to anyone.

However, interviewers can pick up on desperation. It’s essential to remind yourself that not receiving an offer doesn’t equate to failure. Instead of solely focusing on what you can gain from the job, emphasize why you would be a valuable asset to the company.

For instance,

What not to say: “I was made redundant, and this role ticks all my boxes.” What to say instead: “Facing redundancy gave me the opportunity to step back and seek positions like this one, where I can genuinely contribute to building a sales team, much like what I’ve successfully done over the past six years.”

Your self-doubt is apparent.

If you’re unsure about your abilities, you may come across as nervous, indecisive in your speech, or exhibit anxious body language, such as hunching your shoulders and crossing your arms.

Boost your confidence by preparing at least three key skills and three accomplishments to discuss. Practice speaking confidently about your expertise and why it makes you a suitable candidate for the role.

For instance,

What not to say: “I was promoted to a director role in 2021, which was unexpected and humbling.” What to say: “In 2021, I earned a promotion from senior manager to director, thanks to my team’s remarkable 100% year-over-year revenue growth. I was fully prepared to take on additional responsibilities in training and coaching sales leaders.”

You didn’t provide enough specifics.

It’s common to draw a blank when faced with a challenging question and simply recite what’s on your resume.

The most successful candidates weave a compelling narrative and offer concrete examples of their most significant achievements. Paint a vivid picture so that your interviewer can grasp the depth of your contributions.

For instance,

What not to say: “I successfully led an office relocation for 100 employees.” What to say instead: “I had never led an office move before, so I sought advice from experts and created a comprehensive checklist of necessary steps. I delegated tasks, solicited input, and held weekly check-ins to monitor progress. Everything went smoothly due to my strategic planning.”

You attempt to conceal your weaknesses.

You might be inclined to avoid discussing your weaknesses, but being transparent about areas you’re keen to improve shows that you have a growth-oriented mindset.

Ask the interviewer about their ideal candidate. If there are differences between their ideal and your profile, explain how you intend to bridge those gaps.

For instance,

What not to say: “This position oversees a team of 20. I’ve never managed a team of more than 10, but I’m confident I can do it because I always receive positive feedback from my colleagues.” What to say instead: “In the past, I faced challenges when managing a team of just 10 people. However, I’ve been actively working on my time-management skills and now prioritize attending only essential meetings. This way, I can dedicate more time to individual team members to ensure they receive valuable feedback.”

Sometimes it’s beyond your control.

Occasionally, there’s little you can do to alter the outcome because external factors come into play.

Perhaps the company restructured and abandoned the hiring process, or maybe they imposed a hiring freeze. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might not have been the right fit.

Regardless of the reason, it’s not your responsibility to resolve. If they indicated they would follow up but haven’t, it’s reasonable to send a polite follow-up. However, at a certain point, you must move forward and direct your energy towards other opportunities.