Why You Might Be Rejected After a Great Interview
Sometimes, you can give an amazing interview, feel great afterwards, and believe that the job is yours. Then comes the news – whether through an email or a recruiter—that you were unsuccessful. It can feel like a real stab in the heart, especially when you know you gave it everything and still fell short. In this article, we’re going to explore the key reasons why, despite giving an amazing interview, you still might not get the job.
1. Not the Right Cultural Fit – They Didn’t Like You for Whatever Reason
You might hear companies say that you’re not the “right cultural fit.” If I’m being completely frank, this often means they didn’t like you for some reason. This could be due to something innocuous, like a mismatch in communication style, or something more sinister, such as bias against your race, religion, gender, or other personal attributes. Either way, if a company says this, you’ve likely dodged a bullet. Why would you want to work in an organisation where the people or team don’t vibe with you? Having to work hard to fit in, possibly losing a part of who you are in the process, would become exhausting over time.
This type of feedback can be particularly frustrating when you feel like you’re “rejected for a job I was perfect for.”
How to Answer Interview Questions is a key skill to master to ensure you’re presenting yourself effectively and addressing cultural fit concerns.
2. You’re Competing Against an Internal Candidate
Internal candidates have a distinct advantage. They know the business, the interviewers, and the company’s culture. Subconscious bias also often plays a role—interviewers naturally want their colleagues or friends to succeed. When it comes down to fine margins, they’re more likely to choose the internal candidate. Additionally, hiring internally saves the company the cost of recruitment fees if you were sourced through an agency.
3. There Was Never a Real Job
In some cases, it’s not subconscious bias but blatant favouritism. The company might have already decided to hire someone internally, and the interview process is just a formality to tick the boxes of recruitment governance. No matter how well you performed, the job was never yours to win. For candidates, this can lead to feelings of frustration and wondering, “why do I keep getting rejected for jobs?”
4. You Were Perceived as a Threat
Sometimes, performing too well in an interview can backfire. A manager might see you as a threat if you exude more confidence, charisma, or expertise than they do. This intimidation can trigger a negative response, leading to rejection regardless of how well you performed.
5. You Have an Interview Blind Spot
Sometimes, despite giving an excellent interview, there are blind spots in your performance that you’re unaware of. It could be poor body language, unintentional self-deprecation, or subtle habits that create doubt in the interviewer’s mind, despite your strong answers. These issues are often easy to fix once identified. Recording yourself during practice sessions or seeking professional coaching can help uncover and address these blind spots. Blind spots might also explain why you “keep getting rejected from jobs” despite feeling well-prepared.
Graduate Interview Questions often highlight blind spots due to the inexperience of recent graduates.
6. You’re Overqualified
If you’re overqualified for a role, it can work against you. Interviewers might fear you’ll become bored or leave for another opportunity. To overcome this, tailor your responses to align with the level of the position, emphasising your commitment and suitability rather than inadvertently highlighting that you’re aiming higher. Sometimes overqualification can also lead to confusion, such as when others feel like they gave a “bad interview but got the job.”
7. A Change in the Business
Sometimes, the rejection has nothing to do with your performance or the competition. Business priorities may have shifted, the role’s requirements may have changed, or the position may have been put on hold altogether. In such cases, you have to accept the reality and move on. This is particularly difficult when you’ve already spent weeks waiting and are left wondering, “1 week after interview no response—what does this mean?”
8. Timing Issues
Timing can play a critical role in hiring decisions. If the company’s priorities shift or their budget changes during the recruitment process, it might lead to a hiring freeze or de-prioritisation of the role you interviewed for. Unfortunately, this is beyond your control.
9. Misaligned Expectations
Sometimes, rejection happens because expectations between you and the company were misaligned. For example, during the interview, the company might realise that your career ambitions or salary expectations don’t match the role. This can lead to the conclusion that you’re not a long-term fit, even if your interview performance was stellar.
10. Unfavourable References
Even after an amazing interview, an unfavourable reference can derail your chances. Employers often rely on references to validate your claims and assess your past performance. If there are discrepancies or concerns raised by your referees, it could lead to rejection. Ensure your referees are prepared and aligned with how you’ve presented yourself.
11. Company Politics
Sometimes, internal politics within the company can influence hiring decisions. Perhaps a key stakeholder in the hiring process has a preference for another candidate, or there is disagreement among the interview panel. These dynamics can work against you, even if you performed exceptionally well.
Job Interview Advice for Introverts
Some interviews include high-pressure scenarios, such as timed problem-solving exercises or unexpected questions designed to test how you think on your feet. If you stumble under this pressure, it might leave a negative impression, even if the rest of your interview was stellar. Practising mock interviews with similar challenges can help you improve your composure. Getting Job Interview advice for introverts is extremely important.
How to Calm Nerves Before an Interview can help introverts and others overcome pre-interview anxiety and perform at their best.
12. Dressing for an Interview
Dressing for an interview can significantly impact how you are perceived. Ensuring your outfit matches the company’s culture and the role you’re applying for demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.
13. Testing Under Pressure
Some interviews include high-pressure scenarios, such as timed problem-solving exercises or unexpected questions. These moments test how you handle stress, and struggling in such situations could overshadow an otherwise strong interview. Preparing for such situations by practising under similar conditions can improve your ability to stay composed and perform effectively.
14. Subconscious Bias
Subconscious bias undeniably plays a role in hiring decisions. People naturally gravitate towards those who are similar to them, which can work against you if the interviewer has preconceived notions about your background. For instance, if you’re transitioning from academia to the corporate world, they might assume you can’t handle a fast-paced environment.
In such cases, it’s crucial to build a connection quickly and address any potential biases directly. For example, I once coached a client, a 6’5” man with a large build, who sensed that his appearance intimidated interviewers. I advised him to address the elephant in the room with humour. At his next interview, he joked to the interviewer that the receptionist thought he was applying for a security guard position. This broke the ice, lightened the atmosphere, and allowed him to showcase his true personality.
15. Lack of Feedback After Rejection
One of the most frustrating aspects of job interviews is receiving a rejection without clear feedback. When companies fail to provide constructive criticism, it leaves candidates wondering what went wrong. This lack of transparency can prevent you from improving your future performance and understanding whether the issue was related to your qualifications, presentation, or external factors. If you find yourself in this situation, consider reaching out politely to request feedback. While not all employers will respond, those who do can offer valuable insights to help you refine your approach for the next opportunity.
16. Overemphasis on Technical Skills
While showcasing technical expertise is important, overemphasising it during the interview can sometimes work against you. Employers are often looking for a balance of technical skills and soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability. If you focus solely on your technical abilities, it might create the impression that you lack the interpersonal skills necessary for the role. Strive for a well-rounded presentation by integrating examples that highlight both your technical competencies and your ability to collaborate effectively with others.
Farhan Raja
I'm Farhan, the Founder and Coach at JobInterviewology.com, one of the world’s leading Career and interview Coaching specialists. Bringing over a decade of industry experience and a passion for guiding individuals in their career journeys. As an Interview and Career Coach, I've authored the eBook '10 Simple Steps to CV & Resume Success,' directed a leading UK CV writing specialist, and pioneered the iPREP interview coaching methodology.
My career and interview coaching has spanned over 10 years across diverse industries, from IT giants like Google and Microsoft to vital sectors like Civil Service & NHS, Pharma, Finance, Engineering, Automotive, Construction, Logistics, Banking, and Management Consulting. I've had the privilege of assisting professionals in presenting their best selves, and targeting roles at renowned companies like Amazon, GSK, EY, Shell, Rolls Royce and more.
