3 possible reasons for unsuccessful applications
There are applications where rejection is inevitable. In addition to messy application documents with stains or documents showing that some diplomas/certificates are forged, this includes applications for completely unsuitable positions in terms of qualifications.
1. Applications to unsuitable job offers
Rejections are of course inevitable when a manager with the appropriate salary suddenly applies for a job in the mail room or in the file archive or when a helper who has not completed professional training sends an application for a managerial position. While the manager who wants to work in the mailroom or archives is considered overqualified for such positions, the helper, conversely, is considered underqualified for a managerial position.
It is true that the aim of Agenda 2010 under the then Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was that the unemployed also accept jobs that are below their original qualifications. Many well-qualified unemployed people are certainly willing to take on jobs that do not require academic training, e.g. B. as a cashier in the supermarket or salesman at the furniture discounter. Nevertheless, when selecting applicants, attention is still often paid to their qualifications.
2. Why academics have relatively poor chances in some jobs
Of course, there is always the other side, i.e. the potential employer, who may appreciate the applicant’s willingness to work, but who is also aware that the employee with an academic degree will leave the company as soon as he has found a job that suits him qualification, work experience and salary requirements. For this reason, academics often receive rejection or no response at all when applying for positions for which they are demonstrably overqualified.
3. The evaluation of applications depends on the employer
Often everything seems to fit formally on the part of the applicant – i.e. training/studies, professional experience, knowledge of the industry – but of course everything also depends on what the company wants for employees. Some are happy about very motivated, dedicated employees, while others, for example, it is enough if their phone is busy, but otherwise make no further demands on their candidates. To put it bluntly, such companies would also hire a chimpanzee if it could do the job at least as well as a human being. In such cases, motivated, qualified applicants fall through the cracks despite everything.