I’ve Had Several Interviews, But No Offers, What’s Up?
You’ve just finished a job interview you think went well. You’re sure that an offer will follow, but then, after about a week, the hiring manager tells you the offer went to another candidate.
You think that’s the nature of the game and are pleased when you land another interview the next week. Again, you’re satisfied with your performance, but then again, no offer.
This happens a third time, then a fourth. What’s going on? You know your application materials must be successful because you’ve had four interviews. So, you must be doing something wrong in connecting with recruiters and the hiring manager during the interview.
What could it be? In this article, we’ll examine three common mistakes candidates make in interviews that prevent them from landing job offers.
1. You’re not focusing enough on each company and position.
One surefire way to bomb an interview is to come unprepared to discuss the company and position. If you treat every interview like it’s for the same job at the same place, then you’re unlikely to be able to answer questions in a way that makes you seem like you really want the job at hand.
Instead, research the organization ahead of time. What do your interviewers care most about? What initiatives are they working on that you would be excited to contribute to? What types of professional development opportunities and mentorship programs would you like to join?
The more prepared you are, the better.
2. You’re not providing in-depth examples in response to questions.
Another issue is that candidates don’t provide examples of how they’ve been successful in their previous positions. Without this level of detail, your answers can become a blah rehashing of your resume.
Even if the hiring manager doesn’t explicitly ask you to share an example in their question, you should share one anyway.
Be as specific as possible by using the STAR method in your response:
- Situation
- Task
- Action
- Results
3. You weren’t personable enough.
Because you were called for an interview, you know that you’re qualified for the position. Although you do want to sell your standout abilities and skills, the interview is also a time to make sure your personality shines. Recruiters and hiring managers also want to know that you would fit into the company culture and make a solid team member.
So, if you seem stiff or unfriendly in the interview, hiring managers might conclude that you’re not someone with whom they would like to spend their time.
So, don’t worry about answering the questions as formally as possible. Instead, add a self-deprecating comment. Make a joke if you can and ask clarifying questions, turning the interview into a conversation.
What’s more, prepare questions for them ahead of time that demonstrate your enthusiasm and excitement about working with them in the future.
How Career Moves Helps You Nail the Interview
It can be tremendously frustrating to be invited to many interviews but never actually land a job offer. Oftentimes, candidates need practice before interviewing so they’re not thrown by questions they didn’t expect to answer. Other times, your lack of enthusiasm may shine through in an interview, making you a less-than-desirable hire.
Whether you have the first problem or the second one, Career Moves can help. Paul Wigglesworth, CPA, has decades of experience helping candidates in accounting and finance land their dream jobs by first identifying what they really want and then successfully coaching them through the entire interview and offer process.