Job Interview-Decision between two Candidates

[Anonymous]

I just found out from my headhunter that the job I interviewed for is being decided between me and another candidate. I don't know why she felt a need to tell me this because now I can't stop obsessing over it. If I don't get it, I will be wondering what went wrong, if it was something I said or something in my resume, etc. In my experience, most companies don't tell you why you weren't hired so I doubt this place will. But it's always nice to know so I can correct whatever "mistake" I made, in future interviews.

My ignorance was bliss and she just shattered it, ugh!. My competitive streak has now been activated with the news, -what does the other candidate have over me?-. If she had just left me to think that they are choosing from a pool of candidates, I wouldn't care but to know that I was so close is just torture.

[Anonymous]

If you don't get the job, I doubt it will be because of a mistake. Just a feeling or vibe that the other candidate was a better fit for their work environment, had slighter better experience, or whatever.

Why not be positive! It's their loss if you don't get it! Bet you will.

[Anonymous]

this happened to me once. Actually it was worse. I was in a local MBA program and the recruiter told me it was between me and another guy in my graduating class. DON'T know why she told me this!

I was really excited about the job. Of course, he got it. I bawled.

I wound up working somewhere I didn't like for a year as a last resort, but found out he left the position we both applied for after three months (!) because it "wasn't what he envisioned"

turns out ok though--I now work for a much better company (have for years) and wouldn't have met the colleague who got me in here if I hasn't taken the crappy job because I needed to.

It all works out in the end, and if it's not working out, it's not the end yet.

[Anonymous]

If you don't get it, the recruiter should be able to get feedback for you.

But in most cases, it's not what you did -- it's something you really can't change. (Experience, contacts, "fit")

[Anonymous]

Headhunters are generally full of it, so I'd take this "fact" with a grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

You might still get it! Don't give up. I interviewed for a position that was great, but then I found out I was pregnant. The job would have been a very difficult one to manage as a new single mom - very high-visibility, high-stress. So I turned it down in favor of a more family-friendly job. They gave the job to the second choice candidate. I interview VERY well so it might just have been the rapport between me and the interviewers that tipped it in my favor. Don't assume you've lost if you're one of two candidates.