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5 reasons you didn't get a job even after a great interview

July 17, 2014 09:50 IST

You went for an interview and just cracked it. Or so you think... It's been a dozen days and you are yet to hear from the recruiter. So what exactly went wrong? Here are the five real reasons that you won't ever hear from a HR even after a great interview.

Your resume was as perfect as it can be (it got you the interview call) while your interview also went fine by every standards. The interaction was healthy, you found the people nice and cooperative and you are actually imagining yourself working at the place, but if only you could get the offer letter, which remains elusive even after a wait of weeks.

Your regular follow ups and thank you notes haven't also served the purpose. So what exactly is stopping the recruiter to extend you the 'Letter of Intent'?
Here are some reasons.

1. The recruiter didn't like you

Likeability is a subjective matter and you can't please everyone. However, there is no denying this fact that likeability matters at workplace.

The phenomenon is going beyond the college-popularity contest as your ability to come across as likeable is shaping how people are sized up and treated by bosses and co-workers.

Likeable people are more likely to get hired.

There is little that you can control about it, and neither it is too useful to put up a personality you think others will like. So as they say, just be yourself.

If the interviewer fails to understand or get you, it's better to keep looking for a place you'll be comfortable.

Saurabh Tyagi is a career expert at Naukri.com.

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2. You are less of a networker

July 17, 2014 09:50 IST

There are plenty of job seekers applying for the same position and on most occasions there will be more than two suitors, both equally good as a potential candidate.

Having to choose from the two, the person who has been referred by an employee will always have a greater chance of getting selected against the unknown candidate as the referral is considered a 'low-risk hire'.

The only solution for this is to increase your network.

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3. Recruiter resorted to internal hiring

July 17, 2014 09:50 IST

Many times recruiters find a suitable match for the position from wihin the organisation, even after advertising for the position.

Known as internal hire, these people are more likely to be transferred to new roles and responsibilities against choosing a candidate from outside, since such internal hires are typically low-risk for the recruiter.

Internal hires are easier to blend in the new role as they are already familiar with the work culture and people at the organisation. Plus, the new manager can be sure of person's capabilities, personality and work ethics through the colleagues.

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4. The position is no longer relevant

July 17, 2014 09:50 IST

Many a times, owing to budgetary concerns or other market dynamics, the position is no longer deemed relevant and thus hiring process for it is scrapped.

There are so many things that can lead to cancellation or revision of the job, right from a drop in profit to a market crisis, that it is sometimes hard to guess why the interviewer didn't extend an offer letter.

But there is little you can actually do about it. Revision of job can include revising compensations to a lower level, or changing the job description which can disqualify you from the job itself.

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5. You might not be attractive enough

July 17, 2014 09:50 IST

Sounds silly, right? But full marks whoever said that a book is best judged by its cover.

Well, it might sound a little not-so-right to recruiters, but like all humans they also get swayed by superficial elements. This is not to say that all HR people are like this, but yes, many HR professionals pay more attention to pretty faces and neat looks.

What you can do from your end is try and look the sharpest you can.

Wear a perfectly ironed pair of formals, gel your hair together, shave off your beard and look confident.

After all, first impression is the last impression.