Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Great insight from article "Why Wasn't I Hired?" by Judi Perkins
For all job seekers,
I just read this fantastic article "Why Wasn't I Hired?" in Net Temps online newsletter. I wanted to share this with you as it hits on that nagging question "Why haven't I heard from XYZ company?". I know that's been a source of frustration for me, particularly if the interview process was going very well.
I hope you find this useful.
Best,
Paula
Why Wasn’t I Hired?
Interviewing can be both frustrating and arduous because throughout the process, you receive little or no feedback except for the obvious: if they want you back, they contact you. If they don’t, frequently you never hear from them again. But after a first interview the reasons for not being asked back are numerous, and quite frankly, usually they’re about you: lack of experience, poor interviewing skills, inadequate preparation and research, or similar shortcomings. As a result, another candidate generates more excitement.
But sometimes you are the candidate who’s invited back for a second or even a third interview. After that, though you’ve reached the final stages of interviewing and feel sure an offer is imminent, suddenly……nothing.
Sometimes the process has stalled. Occasionally - and stupidly - a company finds the perfect person, but feels they have to interview a specific number of people first, and while they do, they’re under the impression you’re waiting happily in the background with your life and emotions on hold until they contact you again.
Other times only a letter in the mail tells you it’s done. Rarely are candidates told why they didn't get the job. Unless you get this far in the process, usually you aren’t even told that much. Was it something you did? Maybe. But maybe not!
Relax. While you’re busy wondering what went wrong or trying to convince yourself it had nothing to do with you...sometimes that’s the truth! You and that company just weren't meant to be, and nothing you might have done - or not done - would have made any difference.
Consider these factors, all of which take place without your knowing:
•A last-minute candidate appeared on the scene who was exactly what they were looking for. Maybe you were almost perfect, but for some reason, the last-minute candidate was just a bit more whatever they were looking for. If you experienced a delay in your interviewing late in the process, odds are very good your position as the top candidate was usurped at the last minute.
•An internal candidate entered the picture. Though many companies post positions internally first and go outside only after exhausting internal options, that doesn’t account for someone changing his mind - especially if it was the person they were initially targeting.
•The company decided to eliminate the position or put the hiring process on hold. Sometimes when a company doesn’t know in which direction they want to go, they run an ad to “see what’s out there” and then eliminate the position when their water walker fails to submit a resume. On other occasions, the process might be halted as a result of some event that changed the circumstances - and thus changed their decision about interviewing.
•One of the interviewers that came into the picture later in the process didn't like you. Perhaps you reminded them of a former employee that didn't work out. Maybe they were threatened by your expertise and skill. In any case, they carried enough weight or had enough of a valid point to get you jettisoned from the process.
Interviewing is the process by which you find a company you like, and by which a company hires you because they feel you’re the best person for the job. Everything happens for a reason, and if you missed getting an offer with one company, something better may be just around the corner.
So concentrate on what you can control and forget about what you can’t. If you mope around worrying about what you did or didn't do and wonder why they didn't like you or where you messed up - your attitude will bring about another negative outcome. Look objectively at whether or not you can pinpoint something you might have done differently, and then learn from it. Otherwise, put it behind you and move forward with a confident and positive outlook!
- Judi Perkins
Judi Perkins, the How-To Career Coach, was a recruiter for 22 years, consulting with hundreds of hiring authorities throughout the hiring process. She’s seen over 500,000 resumes, knows how hiring authorities think and how they hire. As a result she understands and teaches what other coaches don’t: why the typical strategies in finding a job so often fail, what to do instead, and why. She’s been on PBS’s Frontline, will be in the May issue of Smart Money magazine, and has been quoted frequently in numerous articles for CareerBuilder, MSN Careers, Yahoo Hot Jobs, and the New York Times, among others. She’s also been featured as an expert in numerous career books. Sign up for her free newsletter at www.FindthePerfectJob.com!
© Copyright 1995-2010, Net-Temps, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Net-Temps ® is a registered trademark.
I just read this fantastic article "Why Wasn't I Hired?" in Net Temps online newsletter. I wanted to share this with you as it hits on that nagging question "Why haven't I heard from XYZ company?". I know that's been a source of frustration for me, particularly if the interview process was going very well.
I hope you find this useful.
Best,
Paula
Why Wasn’t I Hired?
Interviewing can be both frustrating and arduous because throughout the process, you receive little or no feedback except for the obvious: if they want you back, they contact you. If they don’t, frequently you never hear from them again. But after a first interview the reasons for not being asked back are numerous, and quite frankly, usually they’re about you: lack of experience, poor interviewing skills, inadequate preparation and research, or similar shortcomings. As a result, another candidate generates more excitement.
But sometimes you are the candidate who’s invited back for a second or even a third interview. After that, though you’ve reached the final stages of interviewing and feel sure an offer is imminent, suddenly……nothing.
Sometimes the process has stalled. Occasionally - and stupidly - a company finds the perfect person, but feels they have to interview a specific number of people first, and while they do, they’re under the impression you’re waiting happily in the background with your life and emotions on hold until they contact you again.
Other times only a letter in the mail tells you it’s done. Rarely are candidates told why they didn't get the job. Unless you get this far in the process, usually you aren’t even told that much. Was it something you did? Maybe. But maybe not!
Relax. While you’re busy wondering what went wrong or trying to convince yourself it had nothing to do with you...sometimes that’s the truth! You and that company just weren't meant to be, and nothing you might have done - or not done - would have made any difference.
Consider these factors, all of which take place without your knowing:
•A last-minute candidate appeared on the scene who was exactly what they were looking for. Maybe you were almost perfect, but for some reason, the last-minute candidate was just a bit more whatever they were looking for. If you experienced a delay in your interviewing late in the process, odds are very good your position as the top candidate was usurped at the last minute.
•An internal candidate entered the picture. Though many companies post positions internally first and go outside only after exhausting internal options, that doesn’t account for someone changing his mind - especially if it was the person they were initially targeting.
•The company decided to eliminate the position or put the hiring process on hold. Sometimes when a company doesn’t know in which direction they want to go, they run an ad to “see what’s out there” and then eliminate the position when their water walker fails to submit a resume. On other occasions, the process might be halted as a result of some event that changed the circumstances - and thus changed their decision about interviewing.
•One of the interviewers that came into the picture later in the process didn't like you. Perhaps you reminded them of a former employee that didn't work out. Maybe they were threatened by your expertise and skill. In any case, they carried enough weight or had enough of a valid point to get you jettisoned from the process.
Interviewing is the process by which you find a company you like, and by which a company hires you because they feel you’re the best person for the job. Everything happens for a reason, and if you missed getting an offer with one company, something better may be just around the corner.
So concentrate on what you can control and forget about what you can’t. If you mope around worrying about what you did or didn't do and wonder why they didn't like you or where you messed up - your attitude will bring about another negative outcome. Look objectively at whether or not you can pinpoint something you might have done differently, and then learn from it. Otherwise, put it behind you and move forward with a confident and positive outlook!
- Judi Perkins
Judi Perkins, the How-To Career Coach, was a recruiter for 22 years, consulting with hundreds of hiring authorities throughout the hiring process. She’s seen over 500,000 resumes, knows how hiring authorities think and how they hire. As a result she understands and teaches what other coaches don’t: why the typical strategies in finding a job so often fail, what to do instead, and why. She’s been on PBS’s Frontline, will be in the May issue of Smart Money magazine, and has been quoted frequently in numerous articles for CareerBuilder, MSN Careers, Yahoo Hot Jobs, and the New York Times, among others. She’s also been featured as an expert in numerous career books. Sign up for her free newsletter at www.FindthePerfectJob.com!
© Copyright 1995-2010, Net-Temps, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Net-Temps ® is a registered trademark.
Jobless-Aid Bill clearing hurdles for swift passage
To those searching for meaningful &/or suitable FT job employment,
As reported in today's Wall Street Journal page 3, I am pleased to share great news concerning the pending unemployment benefit extension bill. This bill, which will extend unemployment benefits for up to 99 weeks "in states with the highest unemployment rates", has cleared its hurdles and is expected to be passed by the Senate very soon. This is great news for the 2.5 million unemployed Americans who had been cut off from their unemployment benefits in June.
The concerns expressed by politicians and economists, as outlined in last week's blog, included the impact unemployment benefits have on motivation and the financial strain extended benefits will put on our nation's already bulging deficit. Per Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R, KY), "What we do not support-and we make no apologies for-is borrowing tens of billions of dollars to pass this bill at a time when the national debt is spinning completely out of control."
Nice guy, wonder how his constituents in KY feel about his compassionate view on unemployment. Perhaps his solution is to keep us engaged in several wars and create jobs through the military. As for the costs-who cares about the trillions of dollars going to our war efforts, the lives lost, and emotional damage caused as a result?
As reported in today's Wall Street Journal page 3, I am pleased to share great news concerning the pending unemployment benefit extension bill. This bill, which will extend unemployment benefits for up to 99 weeks "in states with the highest unemployment rates", has cleared its hurdles and is expected to be passed by the Senate very soon. This is great news for the 2.5 million unemployed Americans who had been cut off from their unemployment benefits in June.
The concerns expressed by politicians and economists, as outlined in last week's blog, included the impact unemployment benefits have on motivation and the financial strain extended benefits will put on our nation's already bulging deficit. Per Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R, KY), "What we do not support-and we make no apologies for-is borrowing tens of billions of dollars to pass this bill at a time when the national debt is spinning completely out of control."
Nice guy, wonder how his constituents in KY feel about his compassionate view on unemployment. Perhaps his solution is to keep us engaged in several wars and create jobs through the military. As for the costs-who cares about the trillions of dollars going to our war efforts, the lives lost, and emotional damage caused as a result?If you'd like to express your opinion, please do so here, or contact the Senator directly at: (502) 582-6304.
In any event, let's focus on the positive and hope this bill gets passed and signed in a speedy fashion. With 2.5 million in need, this extension offers a lifeline until they find new employment.
Until next time, keep the faith and stay strong.
Best,
Paula
ps, for those interested, the details on state unemployment levels can be found on Wall Street Journal's site: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704852004575258351245321016.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_10_1
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Controversy over unemployment benefits
Several news agencies, including the Wall Street Journal's, Long Recession Ignites Debate on Jobless Benefits, have recently covered the brewing debate over unemployment benefits and their lingering affect on the unemployed. The debate is fairly straight forward and mimics the on-going debate about welfare. The concern is that extending unemployment makes the unemployed lazy or complacent. Per Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute, "when you have a check coming in, even if it's a fairly low check, you're less motivated to either look for work or accept less optimal jobs."
I find it "interesting" that educated economist and politicians are having this conversation, given our nation's widely reported "worst recession in generations". To make matters worse, the Federal Reserve just announced our economy is slowing and we'll see a weaker second half than first. Net result, companies may put a hold on new hires until the outcome looks more positive.
To put some humor into this otherwise grim forecast, I've decided to put together a "cheeky" response based on SNL's Weekend Update, entitled, "Really?"
(Please feel free to mimic Amy and Seth when reading this!)
Really?
Really politicians, who have medical benefits for life, stable salaries and fringe benefits galore, REALLY?
Because the average person on unemployment, after a 5-25 year work history really wants to spend 40 hours a week, for over a year, looking for work. REALLY?
Because unemployed people love spending most of their day in isolation on job boards. REALLY?
Because unemployed people are thick skinned and enjoy rejection and being told they just aren't perfect enough to gain a coveted position, regardless of how well suited or over-qualified they are for the job. REALLY?
Because the unemployed enjoy the stress of trying to keep positive and productive while the bills pile up as the nest egg gets depleted. REALLY?
Because being laid off due the "worst recession in generations" was the fault of the "worker bees". REALLY?
And most importantly, because making less than 1/4 of our income is lucrative enough to make the unemployed want to stay on unemployment forever. REALLY?
To all those struggling with long-term unemployment, my heart goes out to you. Stay strong, stay productive and stay positive!!!!
Best,
Paula
I find it "interesting" that educated economist and politicians are having this conversation, given our nation's widely reported "worst recession in generations". To make matters worse, the Federal Reserve just announced our economy is slowing and we'll see a weaker second half than first. Net result, companies may put a hold on new hires until the outcome looks more positive.
To put some humor into this otherwise grim forecast, I've decided to put together a "cheeky" response based on SNL's Weekend Update, entitled, "Really?"
(Please feel free to mimic Amy and Seth when reading this!)
Really?
Really politicians, who have medical benefits for life, stable salaries and fringe benefits galore, REALLY?
Because the average person on unemployment, after a 5-25 year work history really wants to spend 40 hours a week, for over a year, looking for work. REALLY?
Because unemployed people love spending most of their day in isolation on job boards. REALLY?
Because unemployed people are thick skinned and enjoy rejection and being told they just aren't perfect enough to gain a coveted position, regardless of how well suited or over-qualified they are for the job. REALLY?
Because the unemployed enjoy the stress of trying to keep positive and productive while the bills pile up as the nest egg gets depleted. REALLY?
Because being laid off due the "worst recession in generations" was the fault of the "worker bees". REALLY?
And most importantly, because making less than 1/4 of our income is lucrative enough to make the unemployed want to stay on unemployment forever. REALLY?
To all those struggling with long-term unemployment, my heart goes out to you. Stay strong, stay productive and stay positive!!!!
Best,
Paula
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