Not advancing to next interview— might they reconsider?

[Anonymous]

I recently had an interview with the hiring manager of a role that I’m very interested in. We had a good rapport and the interview went well but they are not moving me forward. They think I could be a fit for another opening they will have in a couple of months for a role that is one step down.

Is it worth a shot to ask them to reconsider?

[Anonymous]

They likely have someone else in mind. Thank them for the opportunity to interview, ask them to keep you in mind for the original position (if their preferred candidate declines), and reiterate your interest in working there—saying you welcome the opportunity to discuss other openings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently had an interview with the hiring manager of a role that I’m very interested in. We had a good rapport and the interview went well but they are not moving me forward. They think I could be a fit for another opening they will have in a couple of months for a role that is one step down.

Is it worth a shot to ask them to reconsider?

No, they clearly told you they don’t think you are a fit for the higher level opening. You can certainly reiterate your interest in joining the company, maybe the role they think you’d be a better fit for would give you the experience needed for the position you really want down the road.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't ask them to reconsider, it just looks kinda desperate and also like you think they're idiots that couldn't make the right decision in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't ask them to reconsider, it just looks kinda desperate and also like you think they're idiots that couldn't make the right decision in the first place.

I’m sorry, but this ^. I’m a hiring manager and the only time we decline someone so quickly is when it’s definitely not a fit. If there’s a chance, even if a very tenuous one, that we could end up giving an offer, we put them on a back burner. You could apply in the future, once you perhaps gain more of the experience they’re looking for, but asking right now just looks desperate.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone. I know you're right, I'm just very disappointed and feeling down on myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone. I know you're right, I'm just very disappointed and feeling down on myself.

Don’t feel down on yourself.. you don’t know what’s going on. Maybe they had someone in mind at the outset. I’ve recently hired a few people and there are just a lot of great candidates out there. When one person gets hired, it’s not that everyone else is bad.. in our case, it was just choosing who we thought would be the best fit among several strong candidates. The fact that they indicated they’re still interested in you is huge and you should feel very good about that. Hold your head high.