Applying for a job can be an exciting experience, but not being successful can be very disappointing. You might already know how hard it can be not to get a job, but you might still have felt only part of the emotional rollercoaster that comes with a job search.

People have many reasons for choosing what kinds of jobs they want and where to apply. Sometimes, they choose jobs that they are unlikely to get because they have too few qualifications or because they are not suited to the job for another reason. A person with a degree in English literature, for example, will not be able to find a job as a doctor and an accountant could not be a science teacher. Still, people often have to deal with not getting jobs for which they are well qualified.

Many factors come into play when qualified people fail to get jobs. These days, hundreds of people might apply for the same job, but only one will be chosen. It can be very disappointing for the other qualified applicants not to get the job, but if the company can hire only one person, the others have to look elsewhere. Sometimes it has nothing to do with how qualified you are or if it was something you said or did; it just might be that you were not at the top of the pile of resumes. It can be that simple. Companies do not often have a lot of time to go through over a hundred resumes. In some cases, they will, depending on the weight of the job.

Another problem for job seekers is called phantom jobs. Sometimes, companies list jobs that do not actually exist, possibly because they need to post a certain number of jobs every month to keep their listing on job websites. If a job seeker never hears back from an employer about a position, it could have been a phantom job.

The interview process can make the difference between getting a job and going back to the search. Job seekers should try to research the company and to prepare for the kinds of questions the interviewer might ask. If the job involves working with plants, for example, the job seeker should try to learn enough to show an interest in the subject. If the company has some new projects, the job seeker should know at least a bit about that, as well.

Despite their best efforts, job seekers might not be able to get the work they want. Has that ever happened to you? If possible, you need to analyze what happened. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and fearful, you can ask yourself a few questions. Were you prepared for the interview? Was the job close to your abilities and training? How can you find a job that matches your skills and avoid past mistakes?

Sometimes, you might be full of hope when you apply for the job, knowing that you are well qualified and enthusiastic. When the job goes to someone else, you might feel depressed and unhappy, just like someone who has lost a job where they worked for a long time. It is important to take enough time to accept what has happened before moving on to other jobs- you might take that frustration and grief with you.

You might never know why one employer seems to ignore your application while another one offers you a job, but you can manage the emotional rollercoaster of the job search. Remember that even experienced workers often deal with the same kinds of situations. Be persistent and learn from your mistakes, and you’ll have a chance of getting a good job.

Bibliography:

Howell, Dave. Job Loss is an Emotional Roller Coaster.” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/job-loss-emotional-roller-coaster-dave-howell/.

Monster.ca. “How to Ride the Emotions of Your First Job Search.” https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/how-to-ride-emotions-first-job-search.

The Undercover Recruiter. “Why Do Imaginary Jobs Exist?” https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/why-do-imaginary-job-openings-exist/

Workopolis.com. “The Number One Reason Why People Don’t Get Hired (and How to Fix it).” https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/the-number-one-reason-why-people-dont-get-hired/