It’s happened to everyone at least once in their career. You stumble upon the perfect opportunity, submit your cover letter, and wait for a response - a response that never comes. You might wonder: what happened? Did they get my resume? Was the response overwhelming? Did my cover letter suck?

Unless you ask an employer directly, there’s no way to know why you didn’t get a specific job. But there are definitely factors that can knock you out of the running. Some are within your control, whereas others are beyond your control.

• You’re underqualified: You can’t win them all; and sometimes, employers want someone with greater knowledge and experience in a chosen area. This doesn’t mean you suck, or that you should choose a difference profession - you just need to put in some more time.

• You’re overqualified: Believe me, it can be a factor. Although annoying for people who desperately need work, if an employer has a small budget, they might be a little hesitant to pick someone with many years of experience, or a person who’s used to making a certain income.

• Unprofessional cover letter: Cutesy fonts and happy faces are cool when sending an e-mail to a friend. But if applying for a job online, lose the playful attitude.

• You didn’t “click” with the employer: Personal attitudes can reveal themselves in our written words. Have you ever read a job ad and immediately thought, “no way.” Not because the job entailed more than the payout. But because the job poster’s tone was rude or arrogant. Well, if your cover letter reveals a similar tone, an employer may toss it aside - regardless of whether you’re the best person for the job.