Desperate Job Interview Tactics
by Sinéad
Yesterday I discovered (totally by accident) that the person who got the job I had desperately wanted a few months ago is actually twice as qualified as I am. The recruitment process and subsequent rejection was months ago, but still, this realisation made my stomach sore. It’s like bumping into an ex only to find out that they’re dating a supermodel – you feel jealous despite being over them ages and you begin to wonder what the hell they were doing with you in the first place.
I guess my CV paints a prettier picture of the real life interviewee me. I mean, I can reach those final stages – the epic face-to-face interview/presentation. Yet, I’ve heard the phrase “Come back to us when you have more experience” countless times. Surely they would know from reading my CV how much experience I have? Getting genuine feedback on a failed job application is literally like trying to get blood from a stone. So, I guess I’ll never know what it was that went wrong.
Well, except for my lack of experience between the sheets.
It’s a metaphor. Work with me here.
There is nothing wrong with my CV, it has gotten me some pretty good interviews in the past. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with my phone interview skills, or ability to complete company exams/assignments. If I can reach that final hurdle and make it to the face-to-face interview, then the only logical conclusion is that I interview badly.
I’ve been called cocky many times by friends, often in a joking manner, but I’m beginning to think that they might be right. Perhaps I’m being over confident, rather than being meek, insecure and, well, there’s no other way to put it – youthful and feminine.
Cocky. That’s me. Not lady like at all.
When I think back upon all of my past job interviews, the one that I was most desperate to get was the only one that I wore a skirt and heels to, feigned a sweet nature, and flirted a little… and I got the job. I was 19 and it was a smart move. It turned out to be the perfect part time job for me during college and I stayed with them for 3 long years. But when I think back, I’m certain that it was my over confidence on the sales floor that kept me there for all those years. If I’d played the humble 19 year old girl I doubt I would have survived in that competitive environment for very long. Makes me wonder why they hired the submissive version of me at all.
This isn’t a feminism thing. Or an attack on men. It’s just me realizing that maybe I look too young (not wearing make-up at 24 years of age means still being asked for I.D at the bar) but act far too confident for my age. It’s a real pity that the two biggest companies that I’ve been rejected by keep their recruitment requirements close guarded secrets, and couldn’t/wouldn’t provide feedback. It means that I’ll never be able to figure out if my hypothesis is correct.
Unless I go to my next interview in a push-up bra and high heels.
We’ll see.
Comments
There is recurring problem in life that the skills to get the job are often not to the skills to do the job. We see it in politics all the time, people who are great at winning elections but don’t seem to have the first clue about what the job they’ve been elected to involves. Also, there is a problem with companies, or the interviewers rather, wanting someone more rounded than themselves. It is a greater problem in specialist areas.
As for the young looking thing, that can be a factor too. I was carrying my passport about in Dublin well into my 30s. And it can impact on the degree of responsibility that they can perceive you as being ready. I’m often given to wonder why companies don’t use the try to buy option more. After all they operate probationary periods in their hiring policies just in case your getting through the interview was an huge over achievement. So why not give a few people a whirl? And hire the best.
Resorting to the tried and tested of football clichés, you’re getting yourself in the right positions, keep doing it and the goals will come.
Sadly I know exactly what you mean, my CV has gotten me some seriously good interviews but obviously I must have choked on the face to face portion. I think I can be too meek in interviews, but am quite cocky and ballsy in real life. Suppose I can just never relax in there and can never convince even myself, why they should hire me over any other candidate.
Great post Sinead – its something we hear from candidates quite a lot and very frustrating to not be given feedback when its a job interview.
let us know how the push up bra goes…!
@Dan Great comment. Thanks for your input. Carrying your passport until you were 30 must have been a bit of a nightmare, you poor dear.
@Eater’s Regret Seems like we could both do with some interview skills training.
@Vicki I’ll keep you posted! ;)
At 26, I’ve gotten ID’d twice recently- in Tesco and Spar. Apparently wearing a hoodie and no makeup I look 17! Bizarre. I did a postgrad a couple of years back and we all had to do a mock interview in front of a panel of 3 classmates. It was embarrassing at first but everyone quickly got into it and it felt like a real interview. I learned that I’d a ‘weak handshake’…nobody had ever said that before. Perhaps get a couple of friends to do a mock interview with you, with you using your normal style and answers…you might get some insight.
There isn’t, I honestly believe, any science whatsoever to the final face-to-face. People with the power to hire (or not) use their gut 99% of the time, and the gut is so full of bifidus essensis and L. Casei Immunitas (!) that the gut can be full of shit. Lots of times. If they feel threatened (even vaguely or subconsciously) then watch out.
David Abbot, creative director of the extremely successful 80s ad agency Abbot Meade Vickers in London, said that he had one simple rule for hiring people: only ever hire people who were better than him. They would always take the company further, and invariably end up making him look wise. Unfortunately not too many David Abbots floating around out there. Sadly, you do have to play the game you played at 19, unless you can, through experience (sorry to use that word), earn yourself a rep that carries its own weight amongst your peers, social network and potential employers. Stay confident that it’ll happen though, because good goods aren’t that plentiful.
Hey Sinead,
I feel your pain. I would consider myself to have a strong CV and think that I would interview relatively well but it’s near impossible to know what the person sitting across from you *really* wants. Pitching my answers at the right tone is always where I fall down. Think I come across as a bit nuts and over-eager.
Anyway, keep up the search. I’ve been looking since August and have just gotten a job. I have a lovely collection of rejection letters now too :)
Best of Luck
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