I Once Had a Job Offer Revoked, Here Is My #1 Regret

The impressions we leave on employers in job interviews really matter. Beyond being qualified, the attitude and impression you convey can be just as important.

Here's a story of how I had a job offer revoked, why I think it happened, and what I learned from it.

How a job offer slipped through my fingers.

I was interviewing for a role I really wanted, I was so excited about the team and company, and the job seemed like it couldn't have been a better fit.

The internal recruiter handling the role called me after each interview and debriefed it with me. It was phenomenal.

Before I came in for the full day onsite, the recruiter told me that it was down to me and another candidate.

I went in for the onsite, and the following day he called me and said,

"You're the only one in the running now. They chose you! The only thing left is that they want you to meet the VP of the department."

You know the moon? I was OVER IT.

It was the most amazing feeling.

But here is where it went a bit sideways.

I went into the office to meet the VP with a "casual coffee meeting" mentality. Even the outfit I wore (it has been years but I can still see it clear as day), didn't make me look or feel like a badass.

I sat in the meeting with the VP and she began combing through my resume. She asked me some tough interview questions and dug into some meatier topics.

I had this air of casualness in the interview, I wasn't hitting my points as firmly. I wasn't going above and beyond to include important insights and anecdotes.

But in my mind, I already had the job. I was so foolish.

I wasn't in super-business-Madeline mode with my BAMF Binder and well crafted stories and prepared statistics.

Note that in interviews...

• Carefree can appear careless.
• Unspecific can appear inexperienced.
• And even neutral can appear bored.

I forgot my game-face at home.

The recruiter didn't call me after this visit.

A few days go by and...no offer.

My heart sank.

I finally got an email,

"Thank you for your time, we extended an offer to the other candidate and they have accepted."

That was a dark moment for me. To feel that I had a new job and then let it slip through my fingers.

I emailed them asking for feedback.

I sound normal here but I was having a world-class breakdown and wrote this between bouts of sobbing and kicking myself.

They said simply that it was a close call and that both of us candidates were highly qualified. The VP wanted to meet the other candidate and ultimately they chose the other person.

They reassured me that I did nothing wrong, but I knew it was my fault.

If I had been in the mindset that you are in when you are about to finish an entire video game and you get to the last level when you need to defeat the big boss, that job would have been MINE.

I would have blown. her. away.

I would have been so prepared, and emphasized how much I wanted the role and left her no choice but to think I was tops.

But Sunday Brunch Madeline stupidly showed up instead of Monday Boardroom Madeline.

That was many years ago and we can all see my life turned out just fine, but what a lesson!

This is an especially important lesson if you are interviewing internally for a position. You may feel that you have an advantage because everyone already knows you, but still bring your game face! I've seen internal candidates lose out on major opportunities because of this.

But I still ended up getting an offer from them...how?!

One final lesson to leave you with: When a company rejects you, be gracious as heck!

The company did end up reaching out to me 10 months later when the person they chose left for another job, to ask if I still wanted that role. The recruiter on the phone literally muttered, "We should have hired you..."

I had mooooved on at that point, but it was nice to be thought of.

That's my tale. Hope you learned something from my misfortunes.

Has something like this ever happened to you? Let me know in the comments

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