Strange Reason for Job Rejection

[LargeD]

Hi All

I've just bern turned down for a job I recently interviewed for.

It was a progression from my current role, with a new company and I was complimented on being articulate, professional, smart and clearly very good at what I do. However I was refused due to "not having a spark" with one of the interviewers who probably asked me 2 or 3 questions in total, so I'm not sure how I could have really interacted with her more.

I'm feeling quite deflated, as it was a decent role and I was relatively confident it went well.

So, is this normal and does anyone have any advice for me? I generally interview well and previous to this have been offered very job I had interviewed for.

Edited by LargeD on Thursday 10th April 12:10

Edited by LargeD on Thursday 10th April 12:10

[LargeD]

New company so hopefully no way any reputation could have preceded me...

I think I answered her in the same tone and tried to ensure I made eye contact even when answering the 95% of questions she didn't ask

It's just quite deflating as I can't really see what I could improve on for the future as I'm at he stage where I need to move jobs.

I suppose its the adage of choosing the right boss as much as he role and she wasn't right.

[LargeD]

Hoofy said:

Although it does mean you miss out on the candidate who is more nervous on the day. TBH I don't know why I care - I'll be the one dropping jokes and doing the rapport thing. Can't remember the last time I was nervous in an interview.

I'm generally a confident person and wasn't particularly nervous - I actually feel I had decent rapport with he guy asking the questions, it just seems he wasn't be decision maker which is strange since he did 95% of their talking.

I'm going to put it down to simply not being the right place and move on.

[LargeD]

MagneticMeerkat said:

LargeD said:

Hoofy said:

Although it does mean you miss out on the candidate who is more nervous on the day. TBH I don't know why I care - I'll be the one dropping jokes and doing the rapport thing. Can't remember the last time I was nervous in an interview.

I'm generally a confident person and wasn't particularly nervous - I actually feel I had decent rapport with he guy asking the questions, it just seems he wasn't be decision maker which is strange since he did 95% of their talking.

I'm going to put it down to simply not being the right place and move on.

Maybe so, but an interview is a two way process. It's not simply a case of having to answer questions from a couple of people. It's a test of who you are; in that she wasn't asking you much ergo she wasn't particularly interested in you, perhaps.

Thus if she isn't interested then make her interested! Use eye contact and non-verbal communication to give the impression that you are paying as much attention to her as the other man. Direct some of your comments towards her, ask questions and offer an opportunity to take part in the process.

Maybe she was new to interviewing? Maybe she felt apprehensive about asking the wrong questions and you did nothing to put her at ease. Maybe she deliberately sat back to see if you would make the effort to involve her in one way or another. It's a test of personality as much as a chance to show off technical knowledge.

With hindsight I agree, I think she must have been inexperienced and deferred to her senior, who I then engaged with. It's something I'd not encountered before, but hopefully won't catch me out again.

I also didn't ask her any questions specifically when I had the opportunity, which with hindsight was the perfect chance to engage her. It's another mistake I won't make again.

My issue with it all is if I were in her position and my issue was the "spark", I think I would have given it a second interview to see if it was a one off - from the other feedback they were impressed with me, it seems like a small issue to throw it away on, but I was more annoyed at myself for making it an issue.