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 organisations 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.