Two jobs, nine interviews, no offer, why?

[Anonymous]

As someone who had a few years of hiring experience (about 20 people in total) I would also caution you at appearing arrogant or overly cocky. Your post makes you seem like you may have came off that way in the interview. That can be a real turn off to a hiring manager.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are apparently too smart and innovative for them. Do

[Anonymous]

I was going to say: Don't worry so much. You will find a better place where managers will like you a lot and not make you wait for weeks for their offer.

[Anonymous]

It's possible it wasn't anything personal, that you were a good fit but somebody else was a better fit. I wouldn't "dumb down" anything, but I would reflect on whether you are listening to them and their needs and wants and positioning yourself accordingly.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry OP.

I've been going through the same thing. A bunch of interviews, but nothing yet. Most jobs I'm either overqualified or under-qualified which doesn't help. Trying to keep my head above water and trying not to get discouraged.

Let's raise a glass to a job in 2013!

[Anonymous]

OP Again. Thanks for your supportive posts! I'm trying not to let this ruin my family's Christmas, so I'm posting here! I'll be a little warier in the future about selling myself too hard. That's the only thing I did "wrong." I don't think I'm arrogant or cocky at all, but I am slightly overqualified for both jobs.

Here's to a lucky 2013!! Happy Christmas Everyone!

[Anonymous]

OP Again. This is a depressing thread! I was so hopeful about both jobs, and now I'm feeling that what 13:57 said must be the case, try as I did to explain my interest in slightly lower-paying jobs. Even so, I don't understand why these places wouldn't want someone who would do a great job?? I offered a number of suggestions and ideas in the interviews that everyone said were innovative, and my guess is they will tell the new person to use my ideas, even though they didn't hire me.

If you are a hiring authority, why would you hire someone with less experience, who will have a much steeper learning curve (and thus be more costly in the long run), when you can hire someone with great experience and credentials who can hit the ground running from Day 1?

I really expected I'd get one of these jobs, and want to learn from this experience. Shall I dumb down my resume? Dumb down myself in interviews? What will it take to convince someone I'd be a great hire, despite my over-qualifications?

Would you feel odd about hiring someone who is making more money? I really don't want to go any further at my company, am not interested in the jobs or the field. I've turned down promotions because I want to move into another slightly different fielin my mind everything I said in the multiple interviews I had for both these jobs, I'm starting to wonder if they were thinking "Why does she want this job?" and because they had that question, did not accept my explanation, and assumed something negative about me, despite the fact that all the interviews went well.

I'm really flummoxed and frustrated by this. I've never had a failure like this before, and I'm still surprised by it.

Up thread you said that one of the hiring managers told you they went with a candidate who is already doing the exact same job, so apparently they believe this other person can hit the ground running. You also said you are moving to a slightly different field. In that case, you will likely have a steeper learning curve than the candidate they chose.

I say this because these days, there are so many applicants for jobs that small things that did not make a difference 12 years ago make a difference now. I'm hiring for people in my new job (yes, I have a new job. 300 people applied for my job. I went through 3 rounds of interviews, 19 people total and 5 months of waiting) and what strikes me is that several people sound like they would be a great fit for the job. I can see a few of them in the role and all of said in interviews that this job would be perfect for them. Unfortunately, I can only hire two of them and it is a tremendous responsibility to choose the best fit.

It's a different job market out there. That said, you will find the right fit. You will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP Again. This is a depressing thread! I was so hopeful about both jobs, and now I'm feeling that what 13:57 said must be the case, try as I did to explain my interest in slightly lower-paying jobs. Even so, I don't understand why these places wouldn't want someone who would do a great job?? I offered a number of suggestions and ideas in the interviews that everyone said were innovative, and my guess is they will tell the new person to use my ideas, even though they didn't hire me.

If you are a hiring authority, why would you hire someone with less experience, who will have a much steeper learning curve (and thus be more costly in the long run), when you can hire someone with great experience and credentials who can hit the ground running from Day 1?

I really expected I'd get one of these jobs, and want to learn from this experience. Shall I dumb down my resume? Dumb down myself in interviews? What will it take to convince someone I'd be a great hire, despite my over-qualifications?

Would you feel odd about hiring someone who is making more money? I really don't want to go any further at my company, am not interested in the jobs or the field. I've turned down promotions because I want to move into another slightly different fielin my mind everything I said in the multiple interviews I had for both these jobs, I'm starting to wonder if they were thinking "Why does she want this job?" and because they had that question, did not accept my explanation, and assumed something negative about me, despite the fact that all the interviews went well.

I'm really flummoxed and frustrated by this. I've never had a failure like this before, and I'm still surprised by it.

Up thread you said that one of the hiring managers told you they went with a candidate who is already doing the exact same job, so apparently they believe this other person can hit the ground running. You also said you are moving to a slightly different field. In that case, you will likely have a steeper learning curve than the candidate they chose.

I say this because these days, there are so many applicants for jobs that small things that did not make a difference 12 years ago make a difference now. I'm hiring for people in my new job (yes, I have a new job. 300 people applied for my job. I went through 3 rounds of interviews, 19 people total and 5 months of waiting) and what strikes me is that several people sound like they would be a great fit for the job. I can see a few of them in the role and all of said in interviews that this job would be perfect for them. Unfortunately, I can only hire two of them and it is a tremendous responsibility to choose the best fit.

It's a different job market out there. That said, you will find the right fit. You will.

Also:
You also said you'd likely only stay a year or two. I might take a chance on a cheaper employee that I can train and keep for 5 years versus one with itchy feet or ambitions to my own job or others after 1. The former ends up being cheaper.

[Anonymous]

I agree with 21:48. As a hiring manager, I don't want to hire someone who would only stay a year. I'd rather take someone who might be less experienced to start with, but who would want to stay longer and grow. And this is taking aside the salary issue. My VP who approves all our hiring decisions does not let us hire people with a significant pay cut, she says she's done it in the past and always got burned. And frankly I can see her point. I was out of work myself a few years ago, and was willing to take a pay cut, but I am pretty sure that if I had taken any of those jobs I would be looking to get back to my former salary level as soon as possible.

Sorry you are disappointed and best wishes.

[Anonymous]

As another hiring manager I agree with the posts above. I would never hire someone taking a pay cut. That said I think these days you have to face the reality that hiring managers are faced with so many options when reviewing candidates. Not only can you find people with the exact qualifications you need but you can take a closer look at the softer qualifications - work style, personality, willingness to learn and take initiative, etc. And the point about departmental budgets/salary is important too. If I can pay someone a little less and mold them into what I need - that can work too.

Anyway good luck OP.