With the unemployment rate still very high in the
Nigeria, you may find yourself in the position of
applying, interviewing, and still remaining jobless. You
may have thought it was a sure thing; you may have
left the office laughing and joking with the interviewer.
So why was someone else hired and you weren't?
These five reasons may shed some light on the
situation.
1. You're overqualified
It's not just a cliche--you really can be overqualified
for a position. It's especially true in a tight economy. A
candidate that is more qualified would require a higher
salary and benefits package for a competitive offer and
for long-term retention. If someone else interviewed
who fit the qualifications but didn't overly exceed
them, it might be in the company's best interest to hire
him and save the cash.
2. You don't know the right people
You may be great on paper, and you may interview
really well--but if another candidate is the employer's
tennis instructor's daughter, you might be out of luck.
This isn't a reason you can't really avoid. Your best bet
is to make sure you follow up with a genuinely
appreciative phone call or note. Leaving a positive
impression will keep you in that employer's mind if
other opportunities arise.
3. You hit it off, just not professionally
Having a good rapport with your interviewer is great--
however, if you bonded over your love of tequila
shooters, you may have made a friend and not an
employer. In a less extreme example, you may be very
easy to interview but still not right for the position.
While being friendly and personable are two very
important traits, they won't guarantee you the job.
4. You came with conditions
You may be a good fit for the job, but if you come with
strings attached, you may not get hired. If you can't
see yourself sticking to the position long-term, or if
prior commitments mean you'll have to work odd
hours, it could take you out of the running. If possible,
come in condition-free or at least willing to
compromise. However, if you have a restriction that is
non-negotiable, it's only fair to both of you to bring it
up in the interview--there's no sense in wasting time if
the situation won't work out.
5. An unpredictable reason
Often, the reason is one you may never know. You may
get an unrelated job simply for having a shared
interest with the interviewer, or perhaps because you
have a skill the employer hopes to learn from you. It
may be as simple as two or more candidates being
equally qualified, and you lost the coin toss.
It may also be a simple reason like an off-the-cuff
comment you probably shouldn't have made, or a more
blatant reason like answering your cell phone during
an interview (never a good move, no matter how
friendly you are with the interviewer!). Be honest with
yourself about the interview process--if you can think
of a slip up, learn from your mistake and keep it in
mind for your next interview.
The bottom line:
Whatever the reason, do your best to learn from it and
apply it to your next interview. Don't be afraid to
politely follow up and inquire about why you weren't
right for the position--just make sure you don't come
off as sulking. Be professional, and thank them for
helping you to understand what you did wrong, or
where you can improve. After all, if you made it to the
interview stage once, you're likely to do it again.