Many have job searched before. Some may even be in that process right now. It often is not easy to look for and find a job. Many people attest to having submitted over a hundred job applications. Truly it can be a time that tests your emotional stamina. Especially when you never get favourable responses it can be daunting. Interestingly, there are those who are always getting job interviews. However, they never get to score any substantial job offers. What causes such a weird cycle? Here are some of the top reasons why:
Might Not Be Your Fault
The foremost reason to cover is not even your fault. HR is usually a murky space with many employers or recruiters. There are issues such as nepotism, bribery, patronage and the like. That is why in Zimbabwe it is commonplace for job interviews to be mere formalities. Many job seekers have gone on to discover they were just formalizing something foregone. Some of you may have witnessed it first-hand. As in, scenarios where it was apparent someone had been chosen already. Sadly in Zimbabwe, this is rampant. Thus at times not getting a job offer can simply be due to those unfair dynamics. It will not be anything to do with you being undeserving. Always remember that!
You Exude Desperation
When you look for a job it is because you really need it. When you get a positive response and are called for an interview that all feels great. It then becomes unsurprising that you can get excited. Combine that excitement and the keenness to impress during the interview. You may not realize that the result of that may be you exuding desperation. That is something you should be wary of because it can ruin your chances of getting a job offer.
Mohith Agadi aptly put it by saying, “Being desperate for something is not bad, but it is when you let your desperation be overly visible”. Employers or recruiters may become suspicious or unimpressed when they see the desperation in you. After all, desperation compromises your ability to think and behave prudently. Desperation is not a desirable trait; it will not get you the job. Learn to keep your composure when being interviewed for a job.
Letting Self-Doubt Show
Just like desperation, there is also self-doubt. If it shows you are done. I understand that not all of us are inherently self-confident and sure of ourselves. I also know that some of you can become self-doubtful when under duress e.g. in a job interview. Regardless you must see to it that you do not ever doubt yourself and let it show. There is an anonymous saying which goes like this, “If you were able to believe in Santa Claus for like 8 years, you can believe in yourself for like 5 minutes”.
That perfectly applies to job interviews; you just have to believe and be confident in yourself just for a short while. That is why it is important to prime yourself before going for job interviews. For instance, cultivate a routine of saying out loud, with conviction, positive affirmations. An example of an affirmation here would be: I have what it takes to be hired; I am self-confident. If you say such affirmations to yourself long enough, they become your reality. How can an employer give you a job offer, entrusting their valuables to you if you are full of self-doubt? Certainly, they cannot so be sure to never let self-doubt show.
Your Details Were Sketchy
During a job interview, you will be asked a number of questions. You need to know that both the quantity and quality of what you say matter. There is a delicate balance you must strike. In principle, you of course need to be straight to the point. However, be careful to not become sketchy whilst in that pursuit. Being sketchy can make it difficult for the recruiter or employer to assess. This is because they will not have enough to go by. Additionally, being sketchy can be interpreted as being shady. It becomes suspicious if your details are sketchy. Apply the miniskirt approach in formulating your responses. This means they should be long enough to cover all the essentials but short enough to attract rapt attention.
Trying To Appear Perfect
The truth is we are all on a journey of perfection; it is never a destination. That is why trying to appear perfect is a turn-off because it will be superficial. There is a common job interview question on what your weaknesses are. Some job seekers give responses that are masked as strengths. For instance, someone can respond by saying their weakness is being a perfectionist. That will be an attempt to give the impression that they are an asset. Yet such a question is an opportunity to demonstrate your self-awareness and how proactive you are in working on yourself. Give actual weaknesses and include what you are doing to work on those weaknesses.
When you look at those 5 reasons one thing is recurrent. It is about the importance of striking healthy balances. As for the first reason you may not have absolute control over that. As for the other 4 reasons you have control and can steer the course. Do not exude desperation and never let self-doubt show. Be wary of how you respond to questions – do not be sketchy. Lastly, do not vainly try to appear perfect. Overlooking those areas may have been the reason why despite getting job interviews, job offers have been elusive.
