We’ve all been there before.
We saw a job posting that was just perfect.
We had all the things they were looking for.
Maybe we even get called in for an interview.
Then we wait… and wait…
Two weeks later, we get a courtesy email saying they were lucky to have “a really strong candidate pool” and they were “really grateful to meet us” but they offered the job to someone else.
Was it really that great to learn more about me if they didn’t offer us the job?
I know we’re usually frustrated and disappointed and even a bit depressed at this point but, truth-be-told… this doesn’t make you a failure by any means.
I’ve been a part of hundreds of hiring processes and let me tell you...
There are plenty of reasons that you may not have been hired that are not your fault at all.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take stock of ourselves and try to learn and grow from missed opportunities, but you also shouldn’t get too down on yourself.
Here are my top 4 reasons that great candidates don’t get hired:
1. You Just Got Beat
This happens ALL. THE. TIME.
We have one spot to fill and 2-3 really amazing candidates. Hiring panels sometimes spend multiple meetings debating over these situations (the last panel I was on had a HUGE argument over which person to hire).
In the end, one exceptionally skilled candidate was hired leaving another exceptionally skilled candidate out in the cold.
You could have 40% of the selection committee say that you are the best candidate for the job, and still you get nothing.
Definitely not a reason to get down on yourself.
2. They Already Had Someone In Mind
This is a harsh reality of the job search world. With bigger organizations (especially unionized environments), there are hiring regulations that require a certain number of candidates to be interviewed.
So even if you have someone that you totally want to hire (like promoting an internal candidate or something), you’re forced to interview 2-3 other people who have next-to-no-chance.
If you get invited for an interview, and you find the hiring panel aren’t that excited to meet you and aren’t really into the interview, even if you’re giving it your all and doing great work… it’s quite possible that they have a candidate already in mind for this role.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it your all. There’s nothing that says you can’t overtake the pre-selected person (it happens), or make a great impression so they want to hire you the next time they’ve got an opening… (this happens a lot too)
Just know that sometimes, you never had a shot.
3. You / They Had an Off-Day
Sometimes the stars don’t align. Maybe you’re the 6th back-to-back interview of the day and they’re just done. Maybe you didn’t get a great night’s sleep and you can’t seem to focus.
Maybe you wore an orange shirt and they hate orange… sometimes, it’s just not going to work out and there is no plausible reason.
I once had to squeeze in interview prep between writing one eulogy and attending another funeral. I just didn’t have time to prepare, and when the interview came… surprise, surprise, it didn’t work out.
That’s life my friends. Don’t hold it against yourself and keep on trying :)
4. You Didn’t Give Them What They Looking For
Pay attention to this one, because unlike the other 3, you do have the chance to control this situation.
Back in my recruiting days, I did dozens of 15-30 minute phone screens per week and I had this little checklist I was filling out during the call with all the qualities we were looking for.
If the candidate checked enough boxes, they’d be invited for a proper interview.
Some people could be highly impressive in their own way, but if they didn’t check enough boxes, they weren’t moving on.
It wasn’t enough to be good. They had to be good in the way we wanted them to be and sell themselves based on our metrics.
Figuring out what hiring managers and recruiters are looking for can be tough. But luckily for you, I’ve created this really helpful ebook that is going to help you check their boxes and present yourself in the exact way they’re looking for.
