Why Didn't They Call You Back?

Giving you my best "wonder woman" pose above
find out why it boosts confidence in this article!

So, here you are, waiting for a phone call after an important business meeting. Maybe it was an interview for your dream job. Maybe it was an appointment with a potential partner. Whatever it is, you’re waiting, and you still haven’t received a phone call. So, quite naturally, you wonder why they didn’t call you back. More importantly, you are worried that you did something wrong and you’d like to know what it was so that you can avoid it next time. While there are a variety of reasons that could explain why the opportunity didn’t go any further, most of them can be divided into four big categories. ​

The opportunity was there, but you couldn’t take it
Sometimes, people feel that you have left them down. It doesn’t mean that you did something wrong. But you simply didn’t give the impression that you were ready to seize the opportunity. Whether it was a partner looking for investors, or a recruiter looking for a business expert, not being ready can cost you a lot in the long term. What does being ready involve? Ultimately, you need to assume that there will be opportunities to improve your professional situation and that consequently, if you want to be able to make the most of them, you need to be prepared before they present themselves. Admittedly, it can be confusing, but you’re better off keeping your knowledge, finances and business outfit in check at all times if you want others to know that you’re ready.

You didn’t make a good enough first impression
You may not be aware of it, but the way you present your skills and experience may not be as clear and structured as you think it is. For instance, if a recruiter is looking for a specific profile, it’s likely that they will be checking for specific elements in your résumé and cover letter. There are costly cover letter mistakes that can not only give the wrong impression about your knowledge but also fail to highlight the most relevant experience for the job. Unfortunately, too many people don’t take their cover letter seriously enough to avoid errors.

You were too nervous, and it showed
It doesn’t matter how well you know your subject. If your body language is cramped, your interlocutor may receive mixed signals. It’s important to understand how to get your body language to work for you. If you’re feeling nervous, instead of biting your nails as you wait for a meeting, stand for a few minutes like Superman with your hands on your hips. As surprising as it sounds, this will boost your confidence. Also avoid keeping your arms crossed over your torso, as this isolated posture tends to be perceived as a sign of disinterest.  I always recommend deep breathing too. It really helps calm my nerves before a big meeting.

Maybe it wasn’t for you
Finally, you need to remember that people may not call you back because you didn’t fit as perfectly as you thought. And it’s not a bad thing. It just means that it wasn’t the right opportunity for you. So stay positive and look for alternatives that match your skills and personality.

I firmly believe doors open and shut as they are supposed to in your life. You either have an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and closed doors. And more, importantly, you have a chance to head through that next open door that may be that  perfect opportunity you had been looking for all along!