Dear Work Coach,
I had an interview at 11 am Friday morning that ended about 1 pm. I met with 2 different people, initially with the Director of Human Resources and then the head of the department. I thought the interview went well. I wouldn’t have changed anything. I was told they hoped to hire someone within 2-3 weeks.
However, on the following Monday morning, I received an email saying they were pursuing other candidates. I wasn’t shocked that I wasn’t chosen but I was shocked at how quick a response came. I guess the interview was not nearly as positive as I guess. Any thoughts on how they could have made such a fast conclusion?
Doug
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Hi Doug!
First, let me say how sorry I am that you didn’t get the job and that they decided to hire someone else. I hope a better one comes along soon!
As for the quick response…you’re right. It’s not all that common to hear back that soon after an interview. But decisions about whether there is a good match or not can often be made immediately.
Having done quite a few one-on-one and group interviews myself, I can tell you that sometimes we see people we genuinely like, but for whatever reason we know it just won’t work. So your instincts about it going well might be right on - after all they kept you for two hours and you got to meet the department head. Trust me, if they weren’t interested, you never would have gotten that far!
It’s like a great date with someone who you know you never want to get serious about. There’s no easy explanation…you just know. But the exact same mannerisms, responses, attitude, etc. could be just what they are looking for next time. So keep being yourself.
I’m amazed at how considerate they were in letting you know within a few days. MANY people reading this are envious - even though it wasn’t a “yes”. Might be a good person to send a lovely thank you note to anyway, letting him or her know you appreciate their letting you know so quickly and that you hope s/he keeps you in mind if another position opens up that might be a better match. Sometimes something as simple as that may pay off in the long run.
In the meantime, good luck finding the right job for you! 
Ronnie Ann
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This post comes from Doug’s May 1, 2008 comment on:
2 responses so far ↓
1 Jonching // May 1, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hi Ronnie Ann
I was employed by this insurance company 2 months back. But on my first day of work, I realised that the 2 managers (HOD and unit manager) that interviewed and recruit me left 3 days before. And durinhg the interim period a new HOD met up with me and inform that I will be given a new role. I am not preprare for this new role as it is totally different from what I applied and recruited for.
I am service orient person and prefer to in a capacity for a client service role, the new role is sales job. Besides these, I’ve also realised that the company’s culture is not to client oriented, should any mistakes occurr, everyone will start to point fingers at each other, forgeting that we are to solve the client’s issue first. I am from a banking background, every in my previous employment will have the customer in mind before themselves, and will solve client’s problem then discuss the ways to avoid hiccups. But not my current employment.
I have send out applications and have gone for an interview, with a bank. The interviewer asked me why I wanted to leave the my current employment, and I mentioned the same except the company’s culture above (only mentioned that the recruit left before i joined and sudden change of job scope).
I am expecting a few interviews coming and they are my career objectives, which client services. What if the interview asked me about the reason for leaving current employment? Should say the same thing?
Jonching
2 Ronnie Ann // May 2, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Hi Jonching!
I am so sorry that this happen to you. But I like to think that in a way it’s a good thing because it’s pushing you out of a company that doesn’t match your personality and also giving you a good reason for looking so quickly.
Your answer is perfect. The fact that the job scope changed and you prefer customer service to sales is an excellent reason for leaving a job. A new employer would feel very comfortable with that. You sound like a great candidate. make sure you clearly let them know how much pride you take in good customer service.
Good luck, Jonching. Please let us know when you get the new job!
Ronnie Ann
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