Why You Got Rejected After the Interview

And how to stop making the same mistakes

Before we begin:

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Note: Once you upgrade to funding, either DM me directly on substack or email me at randomrecruiter3@gmail.com with a screenshot of your payment.

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In this issue

• The game changes once you land the interview

• Why hiring managers are so cautious in this market

• 6 reasons candidates get rejected post-interview (with examples and advice)

• How to stop being seen as a risk

• Final takeaways and playbook

• TL;DR

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The interview is not the finish line

It’s the kickoff.

If you’re landing interviews, it means your resume, background, and/or online presence are doing their job. You’re passing the initial filters.

But that’s where the real evaluation begins.

Most candidates don’t realize this: The interview isn’t just about checking if you're good. It’s also about seeing if you're a risk.

In today’s market, the bar isn't just “qualified.” It’s “qualified and low risk.”

And a lot of you are failing that test.

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The Employer’s Market Is Brutal

Let’s talk about context.

We’re in the worst tech job market in over a decade. Some say in 15 years.

There are more candidates than open roles. And there are more good candidates than ever before.

That gives hiring managers something they rarely have:

Leverage.

When supply outweighs demand, hiring managers start acting like underwriters. Their job becomes minimizing risk.

Why?

Because one bad hire can cost them everything.

• Many teams aren’t guaranteed a backfill if someone doesn’t work out

• Budgets are tight, and managers are getting laid off too

• If a hire doesn’t stick, it reflects poorly on the manager, and they might not get another shot

So when they interview you, they’re not just asking:
“Can this person do the job?”

They’re asking:
“Will this person accept the offer?”
“Will they start?”
“Will they stay?”
“Will they be low-maintenance?”
“Will they work well with the team?”
“Do I have to babysit?”

If there’s any doubt, they’ll keep looking.

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Let’s Break Down Why You’re Getting Rejected

Here’s what I’m seeing again and again with job seekers in 2025:

1. You Ramble Too Much

This one is simple, but it’s killing your chances.

I get it. You haven’t interviewed in a while. You’re nervous. You want to explain everything.

But when you ramble, you do two things:

1. You confuse the interviewer

2. You look unprepared

A hiring manager wants clarity. They want to hear your point, not your life story.

What to do instead:

• Practice concise answers with a timer

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

• Ask if your answer made sense, then flip it:
  “Did that address what you were looking for? Curious how this relates to your current team setup.”

That last sentence is key.
It opens the conversation and gets them talking about their needs.
That’s how you build rapport.

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2. You Make It All About You