Your job application rejection may be an employer-related issue

If you've applied for a job that you're confident of being shortlisted for and then receive an unexplained rejection, you'll more than likely be angry and at a loss to explain why. While it may be related to something in your CV, cover letter or overall application, it could be that your job application rejection is a result of an employer-related issue that is outside your control. Here are just a few of the possible reasons

The job advert doesn't accurately reflect the role

Even if the job advert suggests that your skills and experience are a good match with the position, the ad might not be accurate. This could be down to a poorly written description or the hiring manager failing to provide a clear job brief to the recruiter or hiring team.

The company changes it's mind following an interview process

Often, a hiring manager will request a new staff member, but after conducting several interviews, they realize they need someone different. They might conclude that they can manage with the current team members or decide to redistribute tasks within the team, creating an opportunity for a completely different type of candidate.

An internal candidate or internally referred candidate applies

This is a common scenario and unfortunately often happens once the external recruitment process has started. If the company isn't required to compare internal and external applicants as part of the hiring process (see the next bullet point below), it's more than likely they'll take the internal or referred candidate and will then remove the externally listed vacancy

An internal candidate is earmarked for the job but company policy requires an external advertising process

In this scenario, the company has designated an internal employee for a vacancy, but company policy mandates that the position be advertised externally. Typically, the advertisement is posted online for a shorter duration than usual, and while the company may interview one or more external candidates, the chances of not choosing the internal applicant are slim.

You don't "fit" the team or company culture

Your skills and experience may be a perfect match for the role but you might not be a good fit for the team or company culture. While you can get some insights into their ideal candidate from the job advert (social, fun, dynamic, corporate, professional) or their website (values, projects, people, culture), mostly it's impossible to know the exact fit they're looking for.

Your salary expectation is outside the company's budget for the role Unfortunately, even after researching suitable rates or salaries for the advertised position, there might still be a discrepancy between your salary expectations and what the company is willing to pay. Although you may get an opportunity to consider adjusting your expectations, in a competitive market with many candidates and limited vacancies, the company is likely to proceed with applicants whose salary demands align more closely with their budget

Budget cuts / financial constraints / change in business strategy When a company faces financial difficulties or shifts its business strategy, recruitment and hiring are usually the first areas affected. Unfortunately these circumstances can occur during a recruitment process, leading to the vacancy being closed.

So keep in mind that although you have control over choosing the right jobs to apply for and the quality of your applications, there may be company-focused reasons for your application being rejected that are beyond your control.