You understand how I feel. You spend a number of hours looking for work opportunities and finally come across one that seems like a good fit. Just what you’ve been looking for in your next professional step. You’re itching to get that application in the mail and start rocking those interviews…

Except that often what follows is disappointment for those looking for work. It’s tough to deal with rejection. The first step in recovering from rejection is realising why you were turned down and how you can improve for the future. And that’s why I can’t thank Heather R. Huhman enough for contributing this guest post, which is all about helping you to recognise and adapt to the inevitable rejections you’ll face as you look for work.

Apparently, you’ve hit the jackpot. You found a job opening for which you are ideal candidate, had a successful resume screening and interview, but were still rejected via email. Why did this happen?

At 7.9 percent, the national unemployment rate indicates a very competitive job market. In fact, after applying for a job, 29% of people never hear anything back from the hiring manager. Even though you’ve progressed this far in the hiring process, you still aren’t a perfect fit for the position.

Here are seven common reasons you didn’t land the job:

1. Your experience and education don’t quite line up. You may have thought you were a good fit for the position because of your skills and experiences, but your potential employer didn’t agree. Most of the time, this goes wrong because the applicant doesn’t fully grasp the position’s requirements or is overconfident in their own abilities. You might have been overqualified or just not a good cultural fit with the company, both of which could have resulted in your rejection from the position.

Spend more effort in the future making sure your experience and education are a good fit for the job description. Not applying could be the best option if you don’t feel like a perfect fit for the position.

2. On paper, you’re not very attractive. Even if you have all the required skills and experience, it’s unlikely that an employer will hire you if you can’t effectively communicate them. It’s not enough to simply check for typos in your cover letter and resume; you also need to make sure they follow the proper format, are relevant, and show that you went the extra mile to stand out. Don’t bother applying for jobs if your resume and cover letter sound like everybody else’s. Spend some time on each application (cover letter, resume), tailoring them to the specific position you’re interested in, and explaining why you’re the best candidate for the job.
3. Because of how poorly you handled the interview, you didn’t get the job. It’s not enough to simply answer the interviewer’s questions correctly to win her heart. Remember the interview you had… Were you upbeat and optimistic? Did you show a human side to your professional demeanour? Many people looking for work focus too much on answering the interviewer’s technical questions and fail to establish rapport. Always come prepared for an interview by reading up on the company, practising answers to common questions, and eager to demonstrate why you’d be an asset to the team.
4. You could use some work on your presentation as a whole. You won’t make a good impression at an interview if you’re late and wearing wrinkled clothes. The way you present yourself at every stage of the hiring process, from the resume to the interview, is crucial. Considered part of one’s presentation is one’s attitude and body language. Many people looking for work allow the process to negatively affect their demeanour, coming across as cynical, unenthusiastic, or overconfident. Make sure your presentation captures your individuality while also emphasising your cohesiveness with the group.
5. Basically, you were an outcast because of your cultural insensitivity. Being able to assimilate into the culture of an organisation is crucial. Even if you have all the skills necessary to do the job, it’s unlikely that you’ll work well together if you don’t have good chemistry. Employers look for team members who reflect the company’s core values. When looking for a job, it’s important to research the company culture. Besides letting you know if you’d be a good fit, this information can also be used to modify your resume for an upcoming interview.
6. You failed to effectively demonstrate any distinct advantages your company has over the competition. Did you make every effort to show that you were the most qualified person for the job? It’s simple to forget to highlight your unique selling points in favour of conforming to the norm when applying for a job. Cover letters and interviews go hand in hand in this regard. You could possibly do the work, but what makes you think you’d do it better than anyone else?
7. A position did not exist. A job posting doesn’t guarantee employment at the company. Even if a company plans to hire from within, they may be required by law to advertise the position. On the other hand, a possible employer may have to make a rash decision to cut costs, and the position may be eliminated altogether.

While it’s never pleasant to hear “no,” it’s important to view each step of the employment process as a learning opportunity. There are a lot of moving parts in the process of hiring a new employee, so don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake.