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Searching for jobs can be work in and of itself which is why so many jump for joy when they encounter the ideal job opportunity. This is exactly the type of position that will utilize your skills in an awesome way and pay the right amount! With great excitement you begin to fill out the application, press send and pat yourself on the back. You got this.

Well what happens if you don’t?

Have you ever applied to a position that you felt in your spirit was yours, and yours alone? Yet you never heard anything back aside from the automated, “We received your application” response? It’s a sinking feeling that unfortunately happens to so many of us.

So what’s the deal with recruiters anyway? What about me didn’t they like? While no one will have all the answers, here are nine reasons why you probably didn’t hear back from the job.

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You get everything in order to make the best impression possible for that job interview and go at it with courage and poise. Everything appeared to go okay so you wait in expectation of an offer. Then, the rejection comes.

Ouch.

Rejection may be a part of life, but boy is it a mother, especially when you thought a job had your name on it. Hearing a flat out “no” or however else employers dress up turning you down can make you rethink so much. Did I do everything I could to land the position? What could I have done better?

There are tons of questions you can ask yourself that will get you nowhere (maybe you’ll develop an ulcer). While you can’t always control the outcome of certain situations, there may be some reasons for the rejection. Here are ten reasons you probably did not get the job.

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Have you ever noticed how excited your co-workers become once they get to work? You were once one of those happy employees who had so much excitement to start the day. Yet as time went on, you find it more difficult to get through your nine-to-five routine, let alone be content you are there. If you ever find yourself rolling your eyes or feeling more hate than love for your job, it might be time to consider new alternatives.

Life can give us so many reasons why a job is no longer a good fit. If you have been struggling to demystify your emotions, here are ten signs you are in the wrong career.

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In times like this, people are doing everything they can to get and maintain a job. Such a volatile economy makes no guarantees keeping everyone on pins and needles. Yet, there are job positions that might not align with your ideals making them a less than ideal option.

Employers aren’t the only ones who can turn you down. You too have the power to walk away when a deal is not good for you. It all comes down to what’s best for your life, situation and career goals. If you are faced with a job offer that makes you feel uncertain, here are some reasons to say no.

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The job hunt is frustrating enough. The last thing you need are hard-to-decipher help wanted ads on job boards. But as Brazen Life reports, the classifieds  “are as vague as ever. You might get a run-down of the position, but good luck finding any details about salary or, in some cases, even hours or location.” The are are just trying to luring you in without giving away any of the details.

Many of these are not actually jobs and in some cases might  be scams or ads placed by agencies or consultants. But there is a way to read between the lines on that online help wanted ad.

Google the company. This will tell you if this is an agency acting as an intermediary or a direct-hire position. “If you click on a position posted on one of these job boards, a legitimate direct-hire position should take you directly to the careers section of the company’s website,” says Brazen Life. Google “Name of Company Scam” and see what comes up, the site also suggests.

Check the fine print of the ad. It should state that it is an ad for an agency that’s doing pre-screening interviews for companies. Some of these agencies might also be expecting a placement and career consulting fee from you if you land the position.

Does the ad have a little dollar sign next to it? “This lets you know the job may require an investment on your part. It’s also a dead giveaway that the job is a scam,” reports the website. Legitimate  career counselors will not seek upfront payments. Don’t respond to these ads and, if you have by mistake, do not provide any personal information.

Also keep an eye out for non-salaried, commission-only jobs. Those ads will typically list the salary as “Not Applicable.”

Finally, there are the postings for temporary or contract jobs. “You might actually need to go through the application process, or at least get in touch with the company or agency to verify whether the job is permanent,” says the website. So be prepared for a little legwork and possibly a little disappointment if it’s not what you’re looking for.

Happy job hunting.

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New research from the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that employers are more concerned with a candidate’s ability to think critically and solve problems than with the particular major that the potential hire declared in school.

“Four out of 5 employers said each college graduate should have broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences, and 3 out of 4 would recommend a liberal education to their own children,” The Huffington Post reports. It’s worth noting that we couldn’t find a breakdown of the different industries represented by the research participants. For example, if there weren’t a lot of employers in a STEM industry, that could impact the results.

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If you are looking for a job like the millions of others who are unemployed, BET may have  a little online help for you.

OppsPlace, LLC, an RLJ Company, has partnered with Black Entertainment Television (BET) Digital and UPTOWN Media to create a multifaceted cross promotional web-based venue designed to address minority unemployment and help users find jobs and opportunities from leading Fortune 500 companies that truly value diversity and inclusion.

According to Forbes, online job searching has increased. In 2010, 25 percent of job seekers went online to find employment. In 2009 and 2008, it was just 19 percent.

Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies and BET founder, came up with the idea for OppsPlace.com. It is a new online portal that connects individuals and business owners looking to find employment opportunities in corporate America. Already there are more than 20,000 open jobs — entry-level, mid-level, and senior executive levels–on the site.

“By working collaboratively on the unemployment issue, we are confident that thousands of unemployed people will have access to wonderful job opportunities that are available on our OppsPlace platform,” said Kelli Richardson Lawson, President and COO of OppsPlace, LLC in a press statement. “BET and UPTOWN are two of the top media networks within the minority community and I cannot think of better allies in helping to find a solution to minority unemployment and other issues that directly impact African Americans.”

Here is how it will work: Each site will feature links to job postings from companies committed to diversity in hiring and employment. Job seekers will also have access to weekly editorial content, expert advice, blogs, and newsletters on topics such as career, business and finance, and can participate in real-time networking forums discussing the latest job numbers, upcoming events and other employment news.

Will you check it out?

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Yes Yes Yes!!! You got the call back and the big job interview is marked on your calendar. So you have one week to prepare. What are you going to do with all that time?

Research. When you walk into an interview, you’re showing your prospective boss what you know. And while some of it might be second nature, there are other things that you’re going to need to brush up on. Here, we have nine things that you should research before you turn up for the interview

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You’ve finally decided to take on a new hire. After going through the resume collecting and interview process, your new hire starts… and promptly proves to be a big disappointment.

With millions of people looking for jobs, it is important to know how to weed out bad candidates to find the ideal person for the position. Here are nine tips for bosses and small business owners on how to spot resume and interview red flags right away.

Kelly Clarkson performing at the inauguration. AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File

Do you secretly dream of stardom but can’t put the “p” in pitch? Lucky for you, you don’t have to be prolific actress or soul-shaking vocalist to make it in the show business. Plenty of work goes into making stars shine. There are countless jobs just off the stage and beyond the spotlight. If you want to be a part of creating entertainment, but know center stage isn’t for you, consider job options that play on other strengths.