There are lots and lots of reasons by which most of the people fail in job interviews. Some people think that it’s because they are not perfect for the job, their resume is not good. Well let me tell you one thing, there’s a lot more which people don’t focus on in job interviews. And this is one of the biggest reasons why do they fail in job interviews.
Today, you will know most of the reasons due to which people fail in job interviews. It’s an ultimate guide to know the reasons as to why do people fail in job interviews.
Why Do People Fail In Job Interviews?
I have divided the reason into 4 categories and each category has its 6 subcategories that are the main reasons why do people fail in job interviews?
1. ATTITUDE
You might have heard of this statement “Attitude Is Everything”. Well, it’s 100% true, it is everything because our attitude determines what do we want and why do we want. Let’s know how people fail in job interviews due to attitude.
1.1 – Over Confidence
Sometimes what happens is that students, candidates try to become over smart in front of the hiring manager.
And they forget they’re much more senior to them. They have more experience then they have.
And this over smartness or say overconfidence becomes the reason for their failure in the job interview.
1.2 – Authenticity
Sometimes people fail in job interviews due to being more diplomatic and not being authentic and real.
They try to impress the interviewer by saying some random things, facts & figures which are not true.
“Honesty is the best policy”, this is very much important.
One needs to understand that being authentic and real is really important in life.
1.3 – Don’t Greet
Greeting people every time you meet someone shows that you care for them. It also shows your core values, your behavior.
People don’t greet the interviewer and this makes a negative first impression in the interviewer’s eyes.
And you know it very well – “The first impression is the last impression”.
1.4 – Playing Games
People do make a mistake of using their cellphones, mobile to play games and use social media in the interview waiting rooms.
They don’t know that sometimes they’re keeping an eye on them using the CCTV cameras.
They are keeping track of your activities as are you doing in the waiting area.
1.5 – Get Angry
The hiring managers check the credibility of candidates at different levels using multiple techniques.
One of them is to ask some questions to check the patience level of the candidate.
And also, how the candidate will react in that situation.
Most people get angry with these questions and situations and then they fail in job interviews.
1.6 – Don’t Thanks
Thanking someone after the conversation shows that you really liked spending time with them.
A simple “Thank You” note can really change the things for you.
Don’t worry if the interview went good or bad, but always remember to show some gratitude towards the interviewer.
You can say “Thank you Sir/Mam, It was really a pleasure meeting you”.
2. PREPARATION
Preparing for a job interview is not just about preparing your resume and just go and get interviewed.
Preparation for a job interview contains so many things.
Let’s know about them one by one.
2.1 – Job Research
Job research needs a lot of preparation because complete and detailed job research may do wonders for you.
Job research and job search are two very crucial things that can help you to perform much better in your next job interview.
Students/Candidates don’t spend enough time in doing complete job-research while preparing.
Job research contains elements such as knowing the company, employer, interviewer, product/services and so many such things.
2.2 – Company Research
Company research plays a very important role as you should know what the company actually does.
What’s the work culture in the company, what are their reviews. How’s the work-life balance in the company.
A company website is the best resource to know all of that. Most people fail in job interviews due to a lack of company research.
2.3 – Requirements
Knowing the requirements for a particular profile in the company is also important.
When asked in a job interview, what are the job requirements that people are not able to answer these very simple questions?
The reason for that is they didn’t try to know the requirements for that profile.
2.4 – Job Description
A job description contains everything about the roles, responsibilities, requirements for a profile.
People don’t even try to read the complete job description.
And this is also one of the reasons why do people fail in job interviews.
2.5 – Appearance
As we say, the First impression is the last impression. So, before even speaking or having first interaction with the interviewer.
Your appearance will be your first impression, right? So, choose your attire for the interview day very wisely.
You should be comfortable in that, also make sure that you are looking decent in that attire.
If you will wear something good then you’ll feel confident from within.
2.6 – Hygiene
Maintaining good hygiene is really very important whenever you are going somewhere.
It may be an interview, a meeting, conference or any function. You should maintain basic hygiene, which will be good for you and your health.
Also, it won’t embarrass you in front of anyone.
3. SKILLS
Skills are the most important in your life. If you are skillful then you can do anything in your life.
But, when we talk about skills in job interviews then there are so many skills that one should be aware of.
People don’t have those skills because they don’t go for internships to learn those skills.
Let’s know about them.
3.1 – Communication
Firstly, you need to understand one thing. Communication and Language are two different languages.
Most people misunderstood this, they think that communication only means knowing English and speaking effectively in English.
Communication simply means that you should be able to express your thoughts, opinions to others effectively.
It may be in English or even in your first language. But, remember you should be a communicatory first.
3.2 – Listening
The biggest quality of a true leader is that he/she is a very good listener.
I believe that you are also a great leader. But, if you don’t listen to the interviewer carefully than you are going to miss an opportunity to answer the question in the right manner.
And that’ll be one reason for failing in job interviews.
3.3 – Answering
You’ll only be able to answer the questions only if you have listened to the question carefully.
One mistake which people make is that they already create a fake story and they are ready to fit in the story.
They don’t listen to the question properly and just answer the question incorrectly.
This also the reason why do people fail in job interviews.
3.4 – Job Match
Before applying for any job interview, first one needs to match the skills that the job requires along with the skills that he/she posses.
And once the skills are matched then one can reduce the chances of getting failed in interviews.
A perfect match with your skills and job skills is very important.
3.5 – Questioning
Sometimes it’s not about the right answers but about the right questions that you ask.
You need to ask the right questions at the end of the interview.
That way you’ll be able to showcase your interest in the profile and company.
People don’t do this and that’s why people fail in job interviews.
3.6 – Selling
Selling is the richest profession on earth. If you know how to sell, then you can write your own paycheque.
Selling is everywhere, it may be selling your idea to your boss/senior/colleague/friend/family.
Also, you are selling yourself in the job interview on the basis of your skills and your credibility.
If you don’t know how to sell then you need to learn this art.
People don’t know how to sell themselves in a job interview this is also a reason why people fail in job interviews.
4. Personality
Your personality is a combination of all the elements such as your body language, your appearance, how you talk, what you talk and so many things.
Let’s know some of them which lead people to fail in job interviews.
4.1 – Low Energy
Being a person with low energy will definitely kick you out from getting the job and cracking the job interview.
No one would like to have a low energy person in their team/company.
If you are one of those people, then for sure you need to make some changes.
Be a person full of enthusiasm, energy, positivity so that people would love to hire you in their teams.
Low energy people fail in job interviews.
4.2 – Hand Shake
Handshake is a kind of tradition that people often do when they meet as a way of greeting each other.
A firm handshake is always recommended.
However some people don’t do it and even if some people do, they don’t know the right way to do it.
So, keep this thing in your mind that you always use handshaking. When you greet the interviewer and when you leave the job interview.
That’ll make a good impression.
4.3 – Punctuality
All interviewers would love to work with people who value the time.
Punctuality is very important because when you are punctual then you know the value of time.
You’ll make the best value of time.
So, try to reach the venue for a job interview before the scheduled time.
People fail in job interviews due to the fact that they arrive late at the venue.
4.4 – Body Language
Your body language speaks a lot about you and your personality.
The way you walk, talk, behave, the way you use your body, everything speaks about you.
Sometimes people fail in job interviews due to the lack of body language.
They don’t know the right posture as to how they should sit, stand, speak and behave.
Also, the way you use your hands to explain some things is also a part of your body language.
4.5 – Irrelevant Talks
People who do irrelevant talks with other candidates and other people available in the office are more likely to be rejected in job interviews.
Conversations that are not useful, that are not healthy, the company does take care of all your small activities when you are there.
So, make sure you are not disturbing other candidates and the team members in the company.
People fail in job interviews due to this also and later on they wonder why were they rejected in job interviews.
4.6 – Leader/Team Player
Candidates with a personality of a true leader who can lead a team are more likely to be given priority.
Most people have the fear of facing people, leading team and working in a team.
All those people fail in job interviews as well.
If you are one of them then try working in a group project, try leading a team for the first time and build your personality.
Conclusion – Why do people fail in job interviews?
Cracking a job interview is not an easy task and also it is not that hard as people have made it.
If all the preparation is done really well then cracking a job interview becomes really very easy.
If you still have any doubt then do let me know in the comment section.
I believe this article helped you in understanding why do so many people fail in job interviews.
What were your reasons to fail in your job interview?
If you failed in an interview then do the following things –
1. Recall your interview.
2. Analyze what you did wrong?
3. Know where did you lack?
4. Overcome those mistakes.
5. Apply to the same company after overcoming those mistakes which you did earlier.
You can know if they do the following things –
1. They don’t take much interest in your story.
2. They aren’t making eye contact with you.
3. They are just being causual with you.
4. If they ask you, we’ll get back to you.
5. They become aggressive.
Due to the following reasons –
1. Due to lack of job search and research.
2. Lack of skills.
3. Lack of body language.
4. Your resume is not upto mark to pass through ATS.
5. You don’t prepare well.
There may be so many reasons for that –
1. You are not fit for the profile.
2. You don’t know how to sell.
3. You lack in representing yourself.
4. You haven’t done your preparation.
5. You aren’t skilled enough as per company requirements.
It totally depends upon the company you are being interviewed for. If they are interviewing 100 candidates and they want to hire 3-5 people then it’ll be a long process of filteration to choose the best candidates.
