Rejections: It’s not you, it’s the system!
Even the best candidates get ghosted, because certain hiring processes can’t keep up
Views are my own.
You spend hours crafting your CV and maybe even daydreaming about your first day at that shiny new company…
Only to get another heartless “we’ve decided to move forward with other candidates” email.
⬇️ What’s Broken & How to overcome it ⬇️
But here’s the truth: It’s not (always) you, it’s the system.
Rejections: Why companies are so picky right now
Most big companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) with parsing software. These tools that scans and ranks CVs before a human even sees them.
If your CV format confuses the system, or if it doesn’t include certain keywords, you might get filtered out automatically.
That means even a great candidate can be rejected simply because of formatting, layout, or missing “robot-approved” words.
Another common reason are poorly answered screening questions. During the application process, even basic questions can end the process right away if not answered according to the companies requirements.
Sounds unfair? It is. Don’t waste your time with case studies: 9 warning signs of free work
So, if you’ve been rejected or ghosted, remember: your skills might be amazing.
The algorithm just didn’t understand your story. Make sure to optimize your LinkedIn profile.
Rejections: The ideal candidate
Let’s face it: the job market’s tough and the economy is not the greatest. That’s why the job market feels so hard in 2025.
You have a dream job and companies have dream candidates. Budgets are tight, hence many companies want two things at once:
1️⃣ The cheapest candidate: Most skills for the lowest possible salary. Ideally, available as soon as possible.
2️⃣ Nearly 100% Skills and Experience Match: Someone who already did the exact same job in the exact same industry.
That combination almost never exists. Yet the system keeps searching for “perfect fits,” while overlooking curious, adaptable, and motivated people like you.
If there’s someone who wants less compensation or worked in the exact same industry before, things are not looking good. Job hugging: What’s behind the phenomenon.
The current market is about skills on paper and sadly not about potential. Upskilling costs time and money that companies are no longer willing to invest.
Plus, you’re now competing with candidates from all over the world, including countries with historically lower salaries.
Your dream job in Germany or France might now be done remotely from Poland, Portugal, or India at a much lower rate.
Rejections: What actually helps
- 🎨 Keep your CV clean and simple: Avoid tables, graphics, and fancy formatting. The tools can’t handle it.
- 🪞Mirror the job ad: Use similar wording and phrases, that’s what the ATS looks for.
- ⏰ Apply early: The sooner your application is in, the better your chances.
- ⚗️ Prepare a portfolio: Show projects and other successful work samples or even fictive case studies to be ahead of the competition.
- 💡 Upskill: Learn something new, attend workshops or courses to increase skill-matches, for example with a short course at UAL in London.
- 🤝 Network with hiring managers and recruiters: A real human recommendation can skip the robot line entirely.
Rejections don’t define your worth. They often just reflect a one-sided and outdated system that values neat boxes over real potential. Many application forms are still full of fields that you don’t even have to fill in. Find out here what you can skip (for now)!
You’re not failing, you’re navigating a process that wasn’t built for humans. Keep learning, adjusting, and showing up.
And even if your skills are perfect and your CV lands in front of a recruiter, some humans still think in old patterns.
Bias, stereotypes, or “not the perfect fit” can play a bigger role than your actual ability. But that’s THEIR limitation, not yours.
Hopefully, one day, the right opportunity will see you. Keep going!
🎨 Free CV / Resumé Template on Figma →
Shared with mentees for years, NYCHE CareeraCard® template users landed interviews at McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Google, Deloitte, and more.
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