Really Odd Rejection

[Anonymous]

I applied for a job about a month ago, went through a few rounds of interviews, and Monday was brought in to meet the entire team. I mean the entire team from administrative support staff to the CEO. I thought the interviews went great! But they clearly didn't because the hiring manager reached out to just now and just wrote a very brusk "We've decided to go in another direction with this role. Best of luck!" (We had great rapport in the three interviews I had with her so I'm not really sure what switched up between Monday and now. At several points various members of the leadership team said "We think you're a great fit," "We think you have great experience," etc.

Obviously suspect it's actually more than deciding to go in a different direction because it seems strange within a week of having me meet the CEO they'd decide to go in a different direction. I asked for any feedback they're willing to offer but this stings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I applied for a job about a month ago, went through a few rounds of interviews, and Monday was brought in to meet the entire team. I mean the entire team from administrative support staff to the CEO. I thought the interviews went great! But they clearly didn't because the hiring manager reached out to just now and just wrote a very brusk "We've decided to go in another direction with this role. Best of luck!" (We had great rapport in the three interviews I had with her so I'm not really sure what switched up between Monday and now. At several points various members of the leadership team said "We think you're a great fit," "We think you have great experience," etc.

Obviously suspect it's actually more than deciding to go in a different direction because it seems strange within a week of having me meet the CEO they'd decide to go in a different direction. I asked for any feedback they're willing to offer but this stings.

Not really. Usually my prior jobs we brought 3 candiates to CEO final interview. All equally qualified. Could be you did not say something or did say something.

I got one job and I asked why they picked me He said I was looking for a single sentence and you were only one who actually said it.

"I know how to do this, I have done it before and I will get it done for you". All of us equally qualified. If I did not say that of course he still would of had picked one of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I applied for a job about a month ago, went through a few rounds of interviews, and Monday was brought in to meet the entire team. I mean the entire team from administrative support staff to the CEO. I thought the interviews went great! But they clearly didn't because the hiring manager reached out to just now and just wrote a very brusk "We've decided to go in another direction with this role. Best of luck!" (We had great rapport in the three interviews I had with her so I'm not really sure what switched up between Monday and now. At several points various members of the leadership team said "We think you're a great fit," "We think you have great experience," etc.

Obviously suspect it's actually more than deciding to go in a different direction because it seems strange within a week of having me meet the CEO they'd decide to go in a different direction. I asked for any feedback they're willing to offer but this stings.

Not really. Usually my prior jobs we brought 3 candiates to CEO final interview. All equally qualified. Could be you did not say something or did say something.

I got one job and I asked why they picked me He said I was looking for a single sentence and you were only one who actually said it.

"I know how to do this, I have done it before and I will get it done for you". All of us equally qualified. If I did not say that of course he still would of had picked one of us.

DP how specific was the sentence because I'm not sure I'd want to work somewhere that based hiring decisions on whether or not you said something super specific. (I of course would be the person who didn't say it)

[Anonymous]

"Go in a different direction" could mean a different candidate or could mean decided to not have the role/change it before posting again/other things. Always disliked how vague the sentence.

[Anonymous]

*brusque

[Anonymous]

OP I doubt you did anything wrong. People get caught up in the social aspect of the interview so they could be throwing off "loving you" vibes even if they won't be considering you from the first meeting vibes.

OTOH people can give off really distant and cold vibes and consider you to be the one they will hire. There's lots of weird variables and discomfort all around in interviewing.

[Anonymous]

My guess: Someone internal is getting the role (internal politics) or someone with influence swooped in with a candidate. Anyway, sounds like they did like you, and it’s good practice for your next opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess: Someone internal is getting the role (internal politics) or someone with influence swooped in with a candidate. Anyway, sounds like they did like you, and it’s good practice for your next opportunity.

DP. Fair assessment.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks guys. I actually called the recruiter earlier and she just left me a voicemail saying she’ll connect Monday. Weirdly I apparently did “really well” but then she did mention having feedback to give me and reiterated going in another direction. I was really excited about the role but ah well.

Annoyingly this is the second time this company has done this to me.

[Anonymous]

Anything that could kick up in your reference check?

[Anonymous]

Are you a woman? And a man got picked?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anything that could kick up in your reference check?

Op I didn’t provide references and I would’ve just used my references I gave at my current job and I distinctly remember when I got hired the HR manager said my references were some of the most glowing she’d ever heard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a woman? And a man got picked?

Op I am a woman but I obviously have no idea who got picked

[Anonymous]

Could it be they had an internal candidate? It's almost impossible to get the job if there's an internal candidate they like interviewing for the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could it be they had an internal candidate? It's almost impossible to get the job if there's an internal candidate they like interviewing for the job.

Op possibly! They were hiring for multiple though so I find it hard to believe they had multiple candidates and still bothered to put me in front of leadership - honestly that’s my red flag that I screwed up.