Searching for a job is also a job. Only no one pays for it, and it can be rejected without explanation. Recruiters limit themselves to template letters and rarely explain in detail the reason for their decision. But they are understandable: dozens of candidates apply for one position, and there is simply not enough time and energy to give personal advice to everyone. For example, at least 50 people apply for the job of a paper writer even on the Internet. Moreover, most often the reasons for rejection are the same, and you just do not need to repeat someone else's mistakes. Read the guide, in which we explain in detail why you are not hired.
You do not pass the formal requirements
The candidate may be rejected already at the first stage of the selection process - when reviewing the application. The main reason for the rejection in this case is the failure to meet the formal requirements. Any little detail can make a difference: how old you are, where, what course you are studying, in what city you live. Most often, the candidate is not passed, because he is not ready to move, or can not combine work and study.
If you don't follow the selection rules, you won't be called to the next stage either. For example, at some companies, a candidate may only respond to one referral in one city. Employers can also set limits on how often you can try to get into a company: if you are rejected, you can reapply only after six months to a year. It also happens that the candidate makes completely ridiculous mistakes, which greatly upset the recruiters from top companies.
Your resume does not catch the recruiter's eye
Even experienced and qualified candidates make mistakes at the resume writing stage, and it's hard to get to an interview without one. We recommend devoting at least one evening to preparing your CV if you want to improve your chances of getting the job you're applying for. You can read our detailed instructions, but the main thing is to follow four tips:
- Highlight your major accomplishments and try to describe them in numbers and facts. Employers want specific figures.
- Structure your resume and be sure to fit all the information on one page.
- Don't list irrelevant work experience or unskilled part-time jobs.
- State your skills, even if they seem obvious, but don't roll into boilerplate phrases.
You didn't do well on the test.
During the selection process, you may encounter the TalentQ test, Problem Solving Test, or their counterparts. Employers can choose either format, but one way or another, scoring higher on the test phase is realistic. The main thing is to tune in to the right format and be sure to practice. The main problems usually boil down to these three:
Lack of test-solving experience. This causes candidates to become very stressed during the selection process, which is exacerbated by the limited time to solve the test. Excitement interferes with concentration and causes mistakes to be made. That's why we recommend practicing on practice tests-they're often publicly available. Do it under conditions that are as close to real as possible. For example, if you have a face-to-face test, print out the practice test, do your calculations in the margins, and time it. Then check your answers and go over the test again in detail, sort out the mistakes, and try to find the shortest possible solution path.
Insufficient speed of information retrieval. To effectively solve the test, you need to develop the ability to quickly search for the necessary data. This will help you, for example, the command ctrl+F, which performs a search in the document by keyword.
Inattention. Concentrate when reading the tasks and answer options. Very often there is a catch in the question: the answer that seems to be the most likely, is not. Another trick test writers use is different units of measurement (for example, the graph shows the amounts in billions of rubles, and the answers - in millions).
You failed to impress the recruiter at the interview
The interview is one of the most difficult stages of the selection process, and you should prepare for it. We advise you to practice answering tricky questions and get inspired by TED-talks. And we also gathered 10 paradoxical tips to help manage the stress before the meeting with the recruiter. To avoid repeating other people's mistakes, take a close look at the four most common reasons for rejection after a job interview:
- Poor communication skills. One of the main goals of a job interview is to see if you can communicate. Many participants get rejected based on this very criterion. So this is where we advise you to pay attention:
- On the manner of communication. Try to control your emotions: during the interview, it is unacceptable to be deliberately careless or to respond with unconcealed indignation to questions that are not to your liking.
- Structure in the expression of thoughts. Inconsistency, illogical transition from fact to fact, and the chaotic presentation of information does not play into your hands.
- Stylistic mistakes in speech. At the interview, you should refrain from jargon and parasitic words (well, basically, here, shorter and others).
- Unclear motivation. Clearly justify why you are interested in this particular direction. Try to analyze and articulate your motivation before the selection - will come in handy at all stages.
- Mismatch between the actual level of English and what was stated in the registration form. Be honest, don't exaggerate, as it is easy to test your English in person.
Failure to demonstrate key competencies. That's right: the problem is not the lack of a skill, but the difficulty in demonstrating it. The solution is simple: give as many examples as you can of how you have demonstrated the skills you need. It will also be appropriate to tell how objective criticism has made your work better, helped you correct mistakes, and helped you get to the next level. Don't be afraid to give examples of work in difficult circumstances, when all circumstances were against you, but you gathered the will in the fist, optimized resources and achieved its goals. Great, if we are talking about teamwork, in which you have shown leadership.
You didn't prove yourself in the assessment.
The assessment is one of the most difficult stages of the selection process. You can't know in advance what tasks you'll have to do and in what format. But we have universal tips that will help you conquer potential employers:
Be yourself. This is the most winning strategy for passing the assessment. Don't try to show qualities, knowledge and skills that you don't really have. This will look artificial and will keep real strengths from showing up.
Be proactive. There is no need to overplay, but at the same time it is important not to be modest and not to clam up. You need to open up as much as possible in the assessment, and this may require you to be a little more proactive, offer more initiatives, take on more responsibility and act a little more confident than you do in normal life.
Work as a team. Remember that in all group assignments, it's not so much the final result that matters, but your behavior during the decision-making process. Observers will assess how roles are distributed in groups: who leads the team, who tries to do all the work themselves, who passively sits back, and who only prevents everyone from being productive by trying too hard to stand out.
Listen to your colleagues and opponents. Be friendly, do not try to argue and defend your point of view by all means, even if you are absolutely certain of your own correctness. Do not interrupt your teammates. Wait for them to speak, thank them politely, express your disagreement, and present well thought-out arguments against them.
Be flexible. Try to consider several solutions at the same time, without getting stuck on one version. Be prepared to adjust your behavior-the supervisors may change the conditions of the assignment and assess your ability to learn.
