If You Didn’t Get the Job, It’s Not Always You

I’m noticing a trend that is occuring more frequently and it has to do with getting hired.  I hear more and more from frustrated job seekers that they have gotten interviews but are not getting hired.  Upon further investigation, it seems that their ‘rejection’ had nothing to do with their skills or value to the company – it’s just that they are on the outside and wanting to come in.  More companies today are preferring to promote internally as opposed to hiring externally.

What is the reason?  I would venture to say that there are a couple of reasons for this trend:

• Employers don’t want on-boarding costs
• They can pay a current employee the going rate or a slight increase as opposed to an outsider’s salary
• A current employee already knows the processes and the culture so they can be trained for the new position easily
• Current employees already have a work history as opposed to a new hire who only comes with what is on their resume

I know it must suck to find a company or position you really want, and are a great fit for, and not get it while being  told with a standard letter or what the law allows to be said.  Of course, it could be that your skills, experiences, education, etc. were not what the company is looking for, but most times it is for one of the reasons above.

This, then, makes the case for why the best job search strategy is to get in with a company and let them get to know you and all that you bring.  You then can take on more challenging work and let those skills shine; when the position you want becomes available, you can now have a higher chance of being considered and getting it.  Once in, you can then begin internally networking which increases your chances of being in the forefront of a hiring manager’s mind.  So my message is to take heart and take your rejection less personally; if you didn’t get the job it is not always about you but about the  needs of the business.

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