It’s Not All About Your Qualifications!

I wish companies hired just on qualifications, it would make my job a lot easier, but they don’t. It’s true. Do you know why? We’re not robots and companies aren’t robots. We are all human beings and the interaction between you and the people within the company during the interview process plays a huge part. The biggest part!

I have written tips on this subject many times. Companies don’t hire people – people do! And people hire people they like! It’s really that simple. I deal with this issue all day long in my business. I see it play out in interview after interview. It’s always the same thing. Companies will pass on you in an interview for some of the littlest things. I mean sometimes ridiculous and petty stuff.

It could be as little as the person you’re interviewing with doesn’t want the competition. In other words, you’re too good! This happens. In the recruiting business we call this “competitive jealously” and this happens more than you think. You’re just too good and they don’t want you around. Sounds petty and ridiculous, doesn’t it?

Along with “competitive jealously” you can find a number of issues that can keep you from getting the job, and they have absolutely nothing to do with your qualifications. It can be that you were late to the interview, your appearance, you didn’t shake hands firmly, you didn’t make eye contact when you were speaking, your posture, your voice, your smile, your manners, you smelled like smoke, your breath, you were chewing gum, you were wearing too much cologne, you smelled like alcohol, you were rude, you were flirty, you weren’t flirty, and the list goes on and on.

So what’s the answer? The answer is, and you might not like it, BE YOURSELF! You have to be yourself in interviews. That is where you’re going to be the most comfortable and genuine. Of course you have to mind your manners and be your best, but you shouldn’t change your personality. Incorporate good manners and good sense into your own personality. You want to join a company that wants you the way you are, and besides, who really wants to join a company that wants you to be a robot? I don’t.

Your qualifications will get you in the door for the interview, true, but YOU will be the one that gets the job. Don’t beat up on yourself if a company passes on you for a position. It happens. Not every company is right for you and you won’t fit into every company. That’s okay. It’s all about the chemistry between you and the interviewer. If there is commonality and chemistry between the two of you most likely you will get the position. If not, you won’t. Other than minding your manners and doing the right things during your interview THIS IS TOTALLY OUT OF YOUR CONTROL so don’t worry about it. I hope this helps.