Didn't get the job

[Anonymous]

Ugh. Just got the generic "thanks, but no thanks" email from the search firm. I'm crushed. I was perfect for the job, aced the phone screen and the interview with the recruiter who said I'm exactly what they're looking for, she can see me in the position, etc.

Wish I knew what happened. On to the next opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Sorry : (

[Anonymous]

Well. Shit.

[Anonymous]

Sorry. Sounds like either they lost the budget for the job or there were politics involved in who they offered it to.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to guess they gave it to someone that had an in, even though they were not as qualified.

[Anonymous]

I also got a rejection today. And after just an initial phone interview in a job I am probably over qualified for. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Look at it an interview practice and move on. The right job will come along.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me once and they called me back about two months later saying the person they hired had accepted another job and was I still interested? Small odds but you never know.
Good luck OP.

[Anonymous]

OP, I was very disappointed when I didn't get the "perfect" job last spring. Then I got the dream job offer this summer. Keep thinking positive. You never know what's around the corner.

[Anonymous]

OP, this has happened to me three times during the past year. I'm beyond frustrated. I'm ready to take a sledgehammer to the brick wall that's holding up my garage. Just crush it with all the fury in my body.

I know why this is happening -- there are too many qualified people out looking for jobs. Just because I'm "perfect" doesn't mean I'm the ONLY one who's "perfect" for the job -- there are likely a half-dozen candidates who are equally "perfect."

Just keep going, OP, that's all you can do. Your chance will come, eventually. But only if you keep looking, banging on doors. I know exactly how you feel, but blame the recession.

Look at it from the hiring manager's perspective: It's as if you go out looking for the perfect red dress to wear to a special dinner party and find 6 dresses at Nordstrom and 12 dresses at Saks and 8 at Neiman Marcus, each and every one perfect, but in distinctly different ways. At that point, it comes down to logistics or emotion: Which store is closer? Which had the nicest salesperson? Which store do you feel most "at home" shopping in? Which store have you had the longest relationship with? What are the names on the labels of the dresses? Which one wears the label of a famous/chic/fashionable/funky/edgy designer that will make you look like an insider if someone asks who designed your dress? Which one feels softer? Which one wrinkles more? Which one won't require dry cleaning? Which one reminds you of the dress you bought for that date with XXX?

Silly, yes, but true. There are so many "perfect" candidates out there, each with his or her own outstanding characteristics/qualifications, etc. In the end, someone makes a decision, and that decision might not have much to do with you at all.