Why job applicants may not be shortlisted for interview

The shortlist is a list of application forms that have met the essential and desired criteria for the job as set out in the job specification. These application forms may have also met any enhanced criteria that the employer has asked to be included.

The shortlist is made up of application forms, usually about 3-10 of them, that the employer deems as suitable for the job and so those applicants are called to interview to discuss their application form further.

However, sometimes applicants may not be shortlisted for interview for the following reasons:

The applicant may not have completed the application form to a satisfactory standard and thus may have spoiled their chances of being shortlisted.

The applicant may not have the desired qualifications for the job and therefore will be ruled out.

References from the referees may not be satisfactory and therefore the applicant may be found to be unsuitable for the post.

The application form may have arrived to the employer after the stated deadline and therefore it was not considered for shortlisting.

If there has been a large number of applicants, the employer may enhance the original criteria and therefore the applicant may be ruled out.