Lifestyle

Why aren’t my job interviews sealing the deal?

I’m confused about interviewing protocol. I’ve been on multiple interviews where, at the end, it almost seems as if I have the job, but then I don’t hear from the company for weeks. Finally, I’ll get a form letter rejection or a perfunctory phone call informing me that they’ve filled the position. What gives?

What gives is that you are likely misinterpreting the signals you are receiving during the interview. Perhaps you’re projecting your feelings about the interview or desire to work there onto the interviewer (that’s right, I took a psychology course in college). Well-run companies show respect to everyone invited in for an interview, because it’s appropriate — regardless of whether someone is getting the job — and because that person could also be a consumer of the company’s goods or services. The fact you felt positively about the experience may just be the company’s good recruiting practice. The only measure anyone should use to determine whether or not they are a serious candidate is how direct the company is about their interest in you. The best approach for applicants is to stop trying to read the tea leaves and just go after every job aggressively until someone says to stop.

My boss has hired a consultant to help us solve problems in our business. I feel like their area of expertise overlaps with mine. Does this mean my boss has lost confidence in me?

Perhaps. (OK, I will blame that cold response on winter’s last gasp of chill affecting my mood.) Here’s the deal: It’s not an uncommon feeling some staffers have about consultants, who, along with lawyers, fight it out on the food chain of least appreciated professions (I say that with love to my many legal-eagle friends). But it’s usually healthy — particularly if the business is struggling — to bring in different points of view to help disrupt and serve as a catalyst for the business to think differently. The worst thing you can do is get defensive and alienate the consultants. Embrace the additional resources and knowledge they bring, and embrace being the driver of change and problem solving. None of us know everything, and those who lean forward constructively have a better chance of leading the change.