Why no one hires me

The pandemic has also made the specter of in-person work less attractive — if not dangerous — so many people are now looking for jobs where they can work from home. The vast majority of workers, regardless of industry, say they want to work from home at least some of the time. While the number of remote jobs has certainly risen, they still only represent 16 percent of job listings on LinkedIn, though they receive two and a half times as many applications as non-remote work.

The problem, however, may not only be on the hiring side. About half of the FlexJobs respondents searched for jobs outside their current field. The increasingly AI-focused application process makes it even harder for applicants to be assessed by a human being. According to Glassdoor , the average number of applications for a job at a publicly traded company is about ; the average number of people interviewed is five.

They assume that what people are doing is what they are qualified for, even if that current job is unsuitable for them. Say a person is working part time as a shift manager but wants to be a full-time sales manager — doing the first job might harm their chances of getting that other job. This system is also not good at understanding what a person might have the potential to do. Part of the issue is a lack of on-the-job training that employers offer.

Steward blames declines in unions that would fight for such perks and an ongoing shift of risks and responsibilities — including career development — from employers to employees. The endless quest to make hiring efficient has rendered it inefficient. Meanwhile, for candidates, the entire process is a black box. Healy, the designer, ended up getting two job offers in less than a week after not hearing anything for months.

He still has no idea why. She decided to switch gears and pursue a different line of work. And at the job interview, employers are assessing more than your credentials. Sometimes this can be taken too far — to the level that they really only want to hire someone just like them. Same cultural references, fashion sense, taste in restaurants, etc. The hiring manager had a specific person in mind that they really wanted to hire all along.

The cannon-fodder candidates are not informed that they really had very little shot at the job to begin with. Employers always want to hire the best and the brightest, right? In theory, yes. But it can happen that an insecure manager may select a B grade candidate who can simply do the job over one who can do the job so well, and bring so much to the table, that could quickly outshine them.

Bosses need people on their team who can make them look good, and a smart manager will know that the team fails or succeeds together. A leader lacking in self-confidence however, may fear a candidate who could steal their job.

Many applicants shy away from applying for jobs that seem above their experience and skillsets, since employers often pass on applicants who lack the necessary skills for the job. This said, if you know how to approach the hiring manager with what you do bring to the job, it is still possible to be considered.

To improve your chances of getting hired for an advanced job, take the time to show the hiring manager you are a match for the position. A few ways to do this include listing as many key skills and experiences you can that are mentioned in the job post and mentioning education, volunteering, internships and any other learning experiences related to the role.

In today's job market, having network connections can be of great benefit to applicants. Many companies have referral programs to bring in new hires because the success rate of referred employees is much higher than candidates acquired from job postings. To work on your networking skills, attend conferences and events within the industry you're looking to work in. When you receive leads or a referral from a contact, be sure to ask permission to use their name when you reach out.

Remember, your network can also include friends and family. Letting people around you know what type of work you're looking for can open up more opportunities for you. Related: 7 Networking Tips for Getting a Job. The initial interview is one of the most pivotal moments in the hiring process. Hiring managers base a lot on the first interview including how well you communicate and think critically, as well as your attention to detail and level of professionalism.

To improve your interview skills follow, these suggestions:. References are useful for hiring managers because they attest to the skills and experiences a candidate has listed on their resume. Lacking appropriate references, or having no references, can affect your eligibility for a job. To fix this, you'll need to reach out to individuals that can confirm your abilities and would be willing to recommend you for a job. References are usually former bosses or coworkers, but can also be former professors, vendors or colleagues you worked closely with.

If you are just starting out, using character references like friends, neighbors and fellow volunteers can help. Make sure your references are reliable and aware of the specific job you are applying to. Find jobs. Company reviews. Find salaries. Upload your resume. Sign in. Finding a Job. Why knowing the reasons you weren't hired is important.

Reasons why you're not getting hired. You're passively participating. You're showing a lack of passion. You're undervaluing your talents. Your application needs work. You didn't research the company. Your expectations are high. You have too much experience.