6 reasons for job application rejection

You submitted a strong CV and cover letter that showcased your relevant experience and skills for that role, but your job application was rejected.

In a tough job market when there are large volumes of applicants for any vacancy, it's common to receive a generic rejection notification or in some cases, nothing at all. So how do you know why you were declined?

There could be many reasons, including employer-specific factors - which I cover in my next Blog post - but here are 6 reasons for job application rejection, one of which may apply to you.

The job you’re applying for is too junior

It’s often difficult to tell from a job advert if the role's too junior, but often there are some clues in how it's worded. For example, does the advert mention 2-3 years experience but you have 10-15? It may be that you're applying for the role because you actually want to take a step back to have more of a work-life balance. In a candidate short market, a company may be willing to consider that, but when there are multiple applicants for a role who have the right skill set and are looking to grow their career, it's likely they'll be ahead of you in the shortlisting process.

The company isn’t a “good match” for your background Skills and experience ought to be transferable, regardless of the industry sector or company size. However, if you come from a manufacturing background and are seeking a position in corporate services, the hiring manager may be worried about your adaptability. In a competitive job market with fewer opportunities and more applicants, companies can afford to be selective, so unless your application is a stand-out against your competitors with relevant experience, you may find your application being rejected.

Your CV, cover letter or both haven't been adapted for the job

Not tailoring your CV and cover letter for each job application results in a missed opportunity. Recruiters and hiring managers typically skim CVs for relevant skills, experience and keywords and many now use AI software to perform this task. If your CV lacks keywords from the job advertisement, (assuming you possess those skills), you risk being rejected by the software. Including a “Key skills” section in your CV can effectively showcase these, but ensure you customise them for each application.

Unexplained gaps in your CV

Taking time off from work is perfectly fine, but ensure you address this in your employment history. Gaps can make recruiters and hiring managers uncomfortable, as they might not have an opportunity to ask you about them. A brief note with dates and a sentence explaining your activities should be enough.

Your information is too difficult to understand or too detailed to read Imagine you're a recruiter or hiring manager going through over 100 applications without the assistance of AI software. How easy is it to read yours? Bullet points can be helpful, but ensure they are well-spaced, pertinent and free of company-specific acronyms.

If you are an international applicant seeking your first job in New Zealand, include a hyperlink to the website of each past employer and a brief description of the organization's activities. You want to make it easy for the company to find out the industries you've worked in, size of the companies and maybe take a look at their online information.

Your online presence is outdated or red flags are raised

Most recruiters and employers want to view your LinkedIn profile when reviewing shortlisted candidates. They're checking out the photo you're using (is it professional) and that the information matches the details on your CV - particularly dates of employment.

Depending on the role you're applying for, the hiring manager or recruiter may check out your other social media accounts. Make sure you have privacy settings in place so that any potential employer can only view what is appropriate. Whilst your friends may be keen to see those recent party photos, they may need to be accessible only to them and not the wider public.

You may also be interested in:

How LinkedIn can help you find a new job

How to update and adapt your CV and Cover Letter for each job application