4 Reasons Why a Recruiter May Say No Thanks

Is your job search getting frustrating? Even the most qualified candidates for a position may hear crickets after they submit applications to find a new job. That’s discouraging when you have an excellent resume and work hard to get it out.

The job market has been hot for several years. Although the labor market is expected to cool off in the next few years, it will still offer plenty of career opportunities for individuals who are seeking a job. Companies are looking for top talent. However, they are becoming more selective in their approach to hiring.

If you’re not getting the responses you want after submitting your application or interviewing with a recruiter, you might want to examine these four potential reasons.

1. You Have Burned Bridges

The job market has been a candidate’s playground for a few years. With so many opportunities available, you might feel as though you have the upper hand. If one company doesn’t offer exactly what you want, you can always look for another job.

However, if you’re tossing aside career opportunities like garbage, recruiters are going to notice. With today’s technology, human resources departments can track everything and anything. Many companies use software to manage their applicants. They record important information about you, including your level of professionalism.

Unfortunately, these details can follow you. Maybe you blew off a recruiter because a better opportunity presented itself. Perhaps you complained too much about your previous bosses and colleagues in an interview. You could have presented yourself as sloppy or unenthusiastic. Some other red flags that could end up in your recruiting file include:

• Making extraordinary demands of the company
• Failing to research the company
• Having a bad attitude
• Inconsistencies in your resume

Even if these adverse qualities don’t seem like a big deal to you, they’re important to hiring personnel. You may forever remain in a company’s system as an undesirable candidate. This could present an obstacle if you want to establish a strong name for yourself among recruiters and local businesses.

2. Your Job History Seems Unstable

With so many career opportunities available in the past few years, it’s not uncommon for people to switch jobs until they find the perfect one for them. While this is one tactic for ensuring that the company is a good match for you, it’s not the ideal way to position yourself as a desirable candidate.

It costs about $4,000 for companies to hire a new employee. Training expenses add an extra $1,000. Therefore, hiring managers and recruiters want to know that their newest employees will stick around.

Recruiters look at your past behavior to predict future actions. Be prepared to justify your reasons for job hopping if that’s part of your career history. The best tactic is to be honest. However, you should put a positive spin on your story. Don’t tell a potential employer that you get bored with routine. Instead, you can explain that the work was not what was described in the job advertisement or interview. Don’t badmouth previous employers or indicate that you lack commitment.

Concentrate on the skills that you gained from each job. This will help you demonstrate that you’re a hard worker and team player who is committed to personal growth as well as the progress of the company.

You should also examine your own expectations when it comes to furthering your career. There is no denying that you can learn a great deal from working a variety of jobs. However, one of the elements that can set you up for financial stability is pursuing a focused career path. For many, this involves working for a company that makes you happy and provides you with long-term opportunities for success.

You’ll present yourself as a suitable candidate and enhance your chances of stable employment when you commit to finding the right job for you. This doesn’t mean that the position will be perfect right away. There are pros and cons to every job. However, you should look for a job that offers plenty of opportunities to use your skills, maintain financial growth and pursue your interests.

3. Your Social Media Makes You Look Bad

It’s hard to hide from the things that you post on social media. But it’s easy for potential employers to find your less-than-professional posts.

About 70% of employers search online to learn more about candidates that they’re looking to hire. About 57% indicate that they have discovered content that dissuades them from hiring the candidate.

The types of content that can make employers reject you include:

• Provocative posts
• Inappropriate information
• Content that includes or promotes drug use
• Discriminatory posts
• Criminal behavior
• Overly political content
• Unprofessional user name
• Excessive posting
• Inflammatory content

You might think that the solution is to avoid social media altogether. But some companies say that they’re less likely to reach out to applicants who are nowhere to be found online. Therefore, it’s best to strike the right balance when you’re curating your social media profiles.

Employers prefer to see a digital presence that underscores your qualifications, showcases your creativity, conveys professionalism and highlights excellent communication skills. Display your awards, certifications and accolades. Interacting positively with the company’s social media accounts in the past can also help potential employers view you in the best light. As the market becomes more competitive for candidates, carefully crafting your digital image can help you get ahead.

4. You Don’t Have Specific Examples

An eloquent, persuasive individual can impress recruiters and hiring managers. But if you don’t have specific examples to back up your work history, you may get overlooked.

Companies want to ensure that their employees will enhance their bottom line. Therefore, they look for candidates to provide concrete evidence of their success. Conscientious individuals who are dedicated to their jobs are likely to monitor their accomplishments.

If you have worked in sales, tracking your numbers is relatively straightforward. Moreover, it’s essential for sales recruitment. But how do you quantify your successes in positions that are less financially motivated?

The best way to do this is to provide specific examples of the ways in which you have set and achieved goals for yourself and your previous employers. When you’re talking about your positive qualities, offer details about how your strengths have delivered positive results. Quantify your achievements by indicating the ways in which they have improved productivity and efficiency. Explain your process for solving challenging problems.

Another way to exhibit your successes in a way that entices hiring managers is to share feedback from previous employers. How did your boss respond to a big project that you managed? What have your colleagues told you about your strengths?

You’ll likely be asked to share your weaknesses in a job interview. Make sure that you provide specific examples when you’re telling these stories too. Describe the situation, take responsibility and reveal what you have learned. Demonstrate how your mistakes have helped you improve.

When you’re sharing these examples, be clear and concise. Tell the story in chronological order. Describe the decisions that you have made, and share the outcomes. Finish by explaining how this experience will help you in the future.

If you have trouble remembering or tracking your achievements, consider sharing them on your social media profiles. Keeping your LinkedIn account up to date with this information can help you stand apart from the other candidates during the hiring process.

Have You Made Any of These Mistakes?

If you’re not getting the responses that you want as you find a new job, consider whether you have made any of these blunders. Prepare for your next interview by cleaning up your social media accounts, practice answering typical questions and quantifying your successes. If you’re struggling to perfect your skills as a job seeker, contact a recruiter at Treeline. As long as you haven’t blown us off in the past, we are glad to help you refine your job search strategy so that you can pursue a fulfilling career.