5 Reasons Why You Didn’t Receive Feedback After Your Application

David had been applying for jobs for almost a year without any feedback. At some point, he even wondered whether his applications were going through. When some of his friends started getting jobs at companies he had applied to, he got more and more frustrated and eventually lost the zeal to apply for more jobs.

For many, submitting a job application and getting no response from an employer is worse than getting your application rejected outright. Was there a technical error? Did my submission accidentally get lost? 

Waiting is frustrating, and experiencing silence from your potential employer is even worse. Unfortunately, more often than not, this is what happens.

What if the reason you received no feedback is something you could have done differently?

Reasons an employer didn’t respond to your application:

1. You didn’t follow instructions

Job postings often state what you need to submit with your application. You should follow these instructions to the letter.

Maybe the employer required you to submit a cover letter, but you didn’t, or the employer asked you to submit your CV as a PDF but you submitted it as a Word document. That will automatically disqualify you.

Keep in mind that a lot of employers will use job application instructions as a test to see how closely you follow directions. So if an application requires three writing samples and you only give one, you’re not going to be considered for the position. 

2. The job was already filled

Sometimes companies post job openings as a formality, despite already having an internal candidate in mind for the position. These employers often have company policies that require them to post job openings to the public, but in reality, there isn’t effectively a position available.

In addition, some employers don’t take down job postings after they’ve been filled. Therefore, when you see a job you like, apply for it immediately.

3. Your salary requirements were too high

You may have come across a job advertisement that asks you to include your current and expected salary in your application.

If your number is way above what the company has allocated for that particular position, your application may not get to the employer’s desk. 

When posting a job, some employers say what the salary range for that position is. If you are aware that the job you are interviewing for pays less than what you are making and you are okay with that, state the expected salary on your application with that in mind.

4. You weren’t the right fit

In many cases, you won’t hear back from an employer because you simply weren’t a good match for the position. Or there was someone who was an even better match than you were. This, however, doesn’t mean that you are worthless.

5. Your CV wasn’t tailored to the job description

Many employers use application tracking software to sift through the first round of applications. This software screens CVs by searching for specific keywords which are usually present in the job description. 

To ensure that you make it through this process, use the job description as a guide. If the job posting says the employer is looking for an experienced professional who is “fluent in data analytics,” use the phrase “fluent in data analytics” on your CV. The ATS will pick up on the phrase and realize it matches up with the job description.

Are you struggling to tailor your CV? Get professional CV writing services today!