So you've been working hard on your portfolio, practising your poses, and finally, you get the call for a casting or a job. But then, you don't get the gig. Don't worry - you're not alone. This happens to even the most experienced models, and rejection is part of the process.

In this post, we're going to break down five reasons why models don't get the job, and give you some tips to land more bookings.

Don't go unprepared. Read our guide on how to ace your casting calls to stack all the odds in your favour. And if you need to send a self-tape for an audition, head here for self-taping tips and best practices.

Racism and discrimination still prevail in the fashion industry. The sad reality is that some models may not get booked for a job because of the colour of their skin, hair texture, disability, gender or ethnicity, despite having the necessary skills and abilities for the job. This type of discrimination can create unfair barriers for models to succeed and limit their opportunities for growth in the industry. 

To avoid this, seek out supportive and inclusive clients. Apply to modelling agencies with diverse talent books, and favour brands who genuinely value diversity and inclusion. 

Casting directors are working to fulfil their client's briefs. They screen hundreds of models for the same job, and if you've got that one thing that doesn't fit the brief, unfortunately, you're out. It might be a piercing, your hair colour, or that you're a few centimetres short. The key here is not to take it personally: it doesn't necessarily mean that they didn't like your look or personality. Casting agents have their clients' wills to fulfil. So they must present models that fit the brief as closely as possible.

Before applying to castings, make sure you read the brief carefully and that your measurements and headshots are up to date. Then, take a step back and ask yourself if you're the right person for this job. If not, there are plenty of other castings to try.

You might be out of luck, and casting directors might have met someone who looked just like you a few minutes before you arrived. 

Here's where your personality and style might make the difference. Talk about your passions, bring positive energy into the room, and make sure you're always friendly, respectful and professional with everyone you meet.

Or someone they don't particularly like. You're also out of luck here, and there's sadly little you can do to change their mind. 

If you were rude, late or didn't look motivated, getting rejected shouldn't come as a surprise. Handle castings like a job interview. Smile, have a friendly attitude, and address rejection professionally. Try to avoid staying on your phone too much - take the waiting time as an opportunity to connect with fellow models and grow your network.

All in all, remember: it's not you as a person they're rejecting. It's a role for a job that, unfortunately, you didn't get this time. If you've got a good portfolio and the confidence and determination to succeed, keep going. You'll find the right jobs for you.

If you keep getting rejected by modelling agencies, it might be time to change your strategy. Here are some reasons why an agency may decline your model application.

If you have a commercial look but sent your application to an agency that only has high-fashion or runway models, you probably won't fit their aesthetic. An agency will hire you if you can meet their clients' needs, so make sure you learn about who they work with, what type of campaigns they do, and if they have multiple modelling categories in their books (petite/fitness/curve/glamour/runway models etc). If you have piercings, tattoos, or disabilities, look for agencies that champion inclusivity and diversity. You'll find a list of wonderful agencies here.

Agencies look for unique faces to diversify their books and get more clients. Before sending your application, check the models on the agency's website. If you find one or more models that look very similar to you, lower your expectations, as you'll have fewer chances of getting accepted. Or, you could tweak your look: a change in hairstyle or hair colour can sometimes be that little thing that'll make you get noticed.

The key here is to practice your poses at home and collaborate with photographers to do test shoots. Explore the portfolios of the agency's models to get inspired. It'll help you pick the right photographer for your test shoot, define what's lacking in your portfolio, and how to improve it.

It can be hard to pick the right career. But if you keep getting rejected despite all your efforts, and if rejection is taking a toll on your finances and mental health, it may be time to change path.

We all have something of value to offer to others, and it may take some time to find what that is exactly. You can take a few steps to get there, like uncovering your unique selling proposition or finding your zone of genius. Taking the time to put things into perspective will help you uncover your strengths, determine what brings you joy in life, and see how you can align your career with your passions and values.