Why You Get the Job and Why You Don’t
It is not always the most qualified candidate who gets the job. There is a big difference between the qualifications necessary to get an interview and the qualifications that will get you the job itself. The difference is the human factor and all the emotional, illogical prejudices that go along with that.
Those responsible for hiring decisions in smaller companies are looking for someone they like to do the job and those in larger organizations are looking for someone they not only like, but who wont reflect badly on them if it goes wrong, or for that matter, if it goes right. You may feel nervous in the interview but the chances are that your interviewer will be feeling the fear of making a costly hiring mistake.
So what should you do to eliminate their fear and get the job?
The interviewer is looking for someone with the right qualifications, who can do the job, fit in with the team, make them look good and all at the right salary. Understanding the employers fears associated with the hiring process, be aware of your own areas of weakness and be ready to address these. Your job is to sell yourself and convince the interviewer that they will not be running a risk in employing you, on the contrary, you will add immediate value to their company and make them look good.
However, the human factor means that no matter how good or qualified you may be, you may not get the job for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with you personally.
Office Politics. Need I say more? She likes you, thinks you’ll be great for the job but He vetoes you for that very reason.
They Change Their Minds and decide not to hire anyone for the position after all.
Budget Cuts and Departmental Reorganisations. Where once there was a job, suddenly it disappears in a cost cutting exercise or a game of musical chairs.
The Internal Candidate. Hiring from within is cheaper and politically acceptable and you may be there merely to bench mark.
None of this should make you feel deflated. See it instead as a process, as a natural part of job hunting. Don’t take it personally. Don’t let it knock you back. Expect it can and probably will happen. Chalk it down to experience, learn from it and move forward to the next opportunity.
Corinne Stuart is the founder of The Confidence Hub at http://www.theconfidencehub.co.uk a UK based website dedicated to helping you return to work in today’s tough job market. Sign up to our newsletter and come along to one of our friendly workshops. We can help you get that job!
You only look for a job a few times in your life. Compared with the amount of time you spend actually doing it, investing time and energy in an effective job search repays the effort many times over. Studies show that people who understand and do well at the job search process enjoy substantially more job satisfaction and higher earnings over the course of their careers.
Those who put extra effort into the job search can bring not just a more satisfying life but extra salary.
We are here to help. ItsNotYouItsYourResume.com has compiled an impressive list of contributors including writers from 10BiggestInterviewMistakes, 10BiggestResumeMistakes, MyOnlineCareerCoach and MyOnlineCareerSpace, who have written the following:
Job and Career Books:
101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know
Ultimate Online Job Search EBook
Additional Articles
How Personal Branding Works And Its Affect On Your Job Search
Why Get Personal, How Your Online Personal Brand Can Help Your Job Search
Personal marketing and job search: Make an emotional connection.
Stand Up to Stand Out. How Personal Marketing Can Land You Your Dream Career
Oprah Winfrey and Job Search
How to Network
Video Resumes
5 Interview Questions You May Be Asked
