I keep coming second in interviews.

27 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 3:13PM UTC

   *Rolls eyes* Dear God, save us from the ~Career Coaches~, and other 'experts'.

2. AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 3:58PM UTC

   Be prepared to attach yourself to their core values, come with a 30-60-90 plan and if it's a virtual meeting, say "Great question or I'd like to share my 30-60-90 plan , can I share my screen?" Speak equal "I did this and We did this" too often it sounds like they did it all themselves in their prior role and come off as a NON-Collaborator. Be prepared, take notes, come to the end with 3-4 questions only, so you should have a list of 10, as they may answer some already. Time to kick it up, it sounds without knowing specifics.

3. AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 3:59PM UTC

   This is not the advice you are seeking but it has been valuable to me when I come in second regardless. Keep those recruiter contacts and write something down about the recruiter (like they are from NJ, etc). Then, a few months later you can circle back to them. They already know you are a good fit and they just might have a role.

   Otherwise, without more info, I am not entirely sure you are doing anything wrong. There are always more people who could do the job and do it well than openings.

4. AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 2:32PM UTC

   Along this line, another good reason to keep in touch with the recruiters is that the first choice may not work out for some reason - personal circumstances, taking another position, etc. If you keep the contact "warm", recruiters may come back and offer the job to you. Hang in there. You only need one "yes"!

5. Joyce Breitweiser HallMarch 6,2024 at 2:11PM UTC

   I have been on hiring committees and am on one now.

   Our current round was to view videos of the top ten candidates and narrow the list to the ones we want to interview in person. Only one candidate listed their qualifications and nailed all the skills we need for this job. I don’t think these skills were actually listed, but may be in the job description. Carefully analyze the job and the company to see if there are skills that may not be listed in the ad, but may be needed for the position and are in the job description. Read between the lines.

   I watch for the candidate to “close the sale” particularly if they are interviewing for a job where sales skills are important. Hint: Most jobs need sales skills and in a job interview, you are selling your skills.

   At the end of the interview, have an elevator speech ready:

   Thank you so much for interviewing me and giving me this opportunity. I really like these aspects of the company: list. I find the job is a great fit for my skills: list. I hope you will hire me for this job; I know I can contribute effectively to your team.

6. KileyMarch 9,2024 at 12:35PM UTC

   Good advice.

7. AnonymousMarch 6,2024 at 2:56PM UTC

   I am hearing about internal promotions lately. I wonder if that has been the case for you. Good luck!

8. AnonymousMarch 6,2024 at 4:55PM UTC

   Are you following up? Are you going above and beyond? Are you going the extra mile and doing something different to showcase your skills? These days a job search can take 6-9 months so please don't lose hope and don't give up!

9. AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 1:24PM UTC

   Check your references. Are they absolutely glowing? A lot of times if you get to this stage multiple times, someone is giving a not so great reference.

10. AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 1:54PM UTC

    Weird take on solid accurate information.
    Please refrain from posting unhelpful comments in this community. Thank you and enjoy reddit.

11. AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 1:55PM UTC

    Are all of the jobs basically the same? If so it may be that you are missing some key piece of experience or training that would put you over the top. If not, it is really as much luck and the interviewers’ gut when it gets down to two people. One of them just has “something” that is sometimes not even quantifiable or describable to break the tie. I know that’s not really helpful except that at some point you are likely to be the one with the vague something extra.

12. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 1:31PM UTC

    I feel the same. The same thing is happening to me and it been about 10 mo! It’s infuriating

13. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 4:42PM UTC

    Same here. Finalist for 3 roles and did not get it. It's a whole new sad and humbling experience...and so very frustrating. 2 times it was because they went with an internal candidate and the other was bc the final manager thought I would "not be happy in an IC role" due to my management experience; so an unfair assumption that I had already addressed multiple times. ARGH!

14. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 1:41PM UTC

    OMG! I had to double check to be sure I didn’t write that. The dreaded internal candidate or “overqualified “.

15. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 11:33PM UTC

    What I am finding in this job market is that the hiring manager or person above the hiring manager is bringing in their people.

16. KileyMarch 9,2024 at 12:32PM UTC

    I experienced this recently for a VP role. Over 4 weeks was interviewed by hiring manager, and 3 of their peers and the CPO. Throughout, internal recruiter said I was in top 2 and my experience and skills aligned perfectly with role. Feedback was consistent and positive. Job offered to other candidate who I found out had worked with the hiring manager in a previous company. I didn't stand a chance. Still burns my soul but I now know this sort of thing happens all the time.

17. Joyce Breitweiser HallMarch 9,2024 at 8:19PM UTC

    Unfortunately, this is what often happens; they go with a lower risk since they already know the person. The takeaway is to be sure to network with everyone you know so you are the known candidate.

18. Vanessa McMainsMarch 9,2024 at 3:38PM UTC

    I had this same experience. I was very selective to where I applied, applying to 42 positions. I got interviews at 23 of them. Made it as a finalist in 8. Zero job offers. One hired internally. A friend knew two of the other hires in other positions, who must have just interviewed better than me. She said one won’t last in that job and the other definitely isn’t my caliber but will be fine in the job. I ended up getting a job that I didn’t apply for through my network. Now that I think of it, all my hires as a professional have been through someone I know. Luckily, I am extremely happy where I landed and I think it’s a perfect fit for me. I did go from director to underling though. However, I’m still getting great pay and doing what I love without the extra responsibility of leading a team.

19. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 6:05PM UTC

    Yes, this is happening to me too and it's driving me crazy! It's been just over a year, and I'll be starting with a temp agency next week since I'm worried that I've been out of work way too long. The last one that dumped me said that I was missing technical skills, but they said in the interview that I had the skills they were looking for. It's a cop out really. I'm also thinking one of my references has been less than fair so I have dumped them from my list. Hopefully that will fix things.

20. AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 11:56AM UTC

    How did you figure out the reference thing?

21. LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEMarch 9,2024 at 8:10PM UTC

    Have you considered working with contract/temporary employment services? This shows potential employers that you are actively looking for work and it helps pay the bills (great way of networking).

    In addition, volunteering even for a few hours a week -- shows that you give back to the community. It is also a good way of networking.

    Interviewing is stressful. It is important to remain calm and not come across as needed or desperate. Remember, you have a lot to offer a company.

22. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 8:43PM UTC

    Temp agencies are your best bet if you just need a job quickly. I’ve been in multiple situations throughout my life where I’ve had to utilize them due to unexpected job loss. They may not provide the job or pay you want but it will get $ into your account. The economy is bad so don’t be afraid of taking a temp job. Temp jobs for teaching are out there in abundance, so don’t be afraid to apply there too. You don’t have to have past experience, some places will let you be a teacher’s aide with a few hours of online training and set your own hours for work. Also security companies, they hire ALL the time. I mean security guard companies. Many of them need dispatch/communication specialists. Also security guards, it’s an easy job if you get an assignment that is a class A office building or an upscale venue. Warehouse posts are also easy but may not have climate control. Best of luck!

23. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 9:24PM UTC

    Me too

24. Sandy PochapinMarch 10,2024 at 4:00PM UTC

    Have you considered being videotaped? You could have a fake interview (have someone who knows what they're doing interview you, not a random family member) and then critique it. A friend of mine is very long-winded and when I asked him typical interview questions, he tended to go off topic a lot. He also didn't know how to answer "tell me about yourself" until I worked with him. I'm not suggesting you don't know what you're doing, but what you see on tape might surprise you.

25. AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 1:09PM UTC

    It sounds like you're under consideration near the end of the process, so that's good. I'm also looking for work and have heard these tips:

    In the interview, it's imperative to have meaningful questions prepared; highlight the value that you bring; and EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST. In sales it's called "asking for the business." Do not leave this out.

    Then, in your follow up email(s) to each interviewer, sent within 24 hours, you should thank them for the opportunity to discuss the role, highlight 1-3 things that demonstrate your value, and express interest again.

    Good luck! You've got this!

26. Sara MorrisonFebruary 21,2025 at 12:28PM UTC

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