The super secret, big giant hairy monstrous reasons someone might not get the job.

Over the years, many new clients have said something like:

"John, I'm getting interviews, but I'm not getting offers."?

The classic "getting-interviews-but-not-offers" issue. Maybe we've all been there. Why a particular person is having challenges--that's tricky. That may take introspection, practice, and workshopping to manage.?

Yes, there are myriad tactical reasons a candidate isn't selected (e.g. internal candidate had priority, budget changes, scope shift, hiring freeze). Sure, these explain away some of the scenarios. But it's hard (for me) not to go into detective mode and dig deeper. And, of course, candidates often have little actionable feedback. Heck, some HR professionals and hiring managers even have law degrees, and they ain't talkin'.?

However, sometimes some giant secret hairy monsters might be in the room. As in, during your interviews, are you actively working to be credible and authentic??

"John, are you really asking me that?"

With all due respect, yes. Part of my role is to advise on the macro elements of job interview strategy. If you're not *seen* as credible, honest, or authentic...that could be bad.??

Consider that some candidates may not even realize particular phraseology, documentation, mannerisms, or actions may make them *seem* disingenuous even though they're wonderfully honest, genuine, solid humans.?

Good gravy, are you coming across as so incredible, you're *gulp* unbelievable??

What about the other side of the desk?

Statistically, about 66% to 85% of hiring pros believe resumes have fibs. Does this apply to interviews as well? Hiring managers and HR pros don't have perfect abilities to sense deception. But their imperfect abilities might derail an interview nonetheless. Several articles deal with the getting-interviews-but-not-offers issue; some are good. But rarely do I see a tangle with the credibility gap issue.?

We "career experts" should probably have our radar attuned to credibility issues. Digging deep requires asking the big fuzzy scary introspection questions and spelunking for "obviously hidden" reasons folks may not be sealing the deal...whether at the phone screen stage or the eleventh hour. A perceived credibility gap in word or deed could sink an interview process anytime. So much of hiring is gut-and-heart it's hard to consider interviewing a strict game of logic.?

"OK John, any advice?"

Yes. How 'bout we practice your poker game AND your chess game? Dig deep. Get the mirror. Get the compass. Ask for feedback from a pro.?

Be incredible...credibly. :)

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P.S.?Over the years, I've avoided a handful of potential clients who, I believe, were genuinely deceptive and disingenuous--not sure how to help those folks. Sorry, I'm not one of *those* resume writers or career coaches who'll be complicit in manufacturing fraudulent resumes or materials. Article for another time. I'll use ChatGPT to write it. ;)

P.P.S.?Maybe more challenging than a credibility gap is the "coming-across-desperate" challenge—another article for another time.??

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Image: iStock

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Extra Credit Reading:

https://hbr.org/2022/10/job-rejection-doesnt-have-to-sting

https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/5-potential-reasons-you-didnt-get-the-job-even-after-a-great-interview-and-how-to-learn-from-it/amp

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2022/08/02/the-surprising-reasons-why-you-didnt-get-the-job/

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#careercoaching #authenticself #interviewprep?

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About:?

John Davidsson is a multi-award-winning Career Counselor and Resume Writer based in the Seattle area with a unique brand of snark and style. Mr. Davidsson has photographic evidence of (a) surviving Sgt. Slaughter's "Cobra Clutch," and (b) deadlifting more than a quarter ton. Other photographs may exist. When he's not writing or getting into intellectual fistfights, he's an amateur podcaster and semi-pro dragon wrangler.