Interview feedback

[Kit80]

Was hoping for some advice on people who interview for staff.

I have been unemployed for four weeks now and I am reasonably confident that I am a strong candidate in my field and even agencies I am registered with say things like "a candidate with your calibre" I feel I should be doing better in my job search. I have lost count how many interviews and second interviews I have had now and the feedback is always same. "really like you, you came across really strong, your more than capable of doing the job, employers really likes you etc..but they chose someone else".

I have asked today’s job turn down to ask for further feedback information as they put forward their strongest 3 candidates - 2 of which cancelled, so they interview me and then asked for some more to compare me to and these candidates would not have been as strong as me on paper, yet I still didn't get it. But get the same old feedback. I can't work out what I am doing wrong. I don't really get nervous at interviews and thinking them over I was pleased with the answers I gave, I am well presented so I can't work out what I am doing wrong or where I need to improve. If I got better feedback like..the other candidate had this qualification and you didn't I can go out and get that qualification, if they say it's because you smell bad then at least I would know and could address it.(I don't think I do smell bad).

Anyone have any thoughts on either how to get better feedback or what I might be doing wrong? I have asked friends and family to critique me but they just say the same. I know the market is harsh at the moment but it is so infuriating to be told you were great but we hired someone else anyway.



TIA.

[nipperS2K]

If its any consolation I have been out of work for 6 months, my industry has taken a big bash due to the recession and I am experiencing the same as you. I have had quite a few interviews with the same responses, high calibre, great at interview etc when ask for feed back. I am always the second candidate choice. The consultants have said that its SOOOO much harder out there because there is much more choice and they can pick and choose. I have been told that employers are also looking for something that bit special in candidates, lots of passion and good ides on how to take the company forward, new ides etc

[Kit80]

Cheers that is helpful. 150% now every interview.

Think I am starting to lose the will to live though and I know others have put up with it a lot longer.

[69 coupe]

Age????

[JonRB]

You're female, SJ.

Next question?

[Mojooo]

get some feedback from people who wont be so polite in real life? it might just be something you can only spot face to face

i did meet and greet at some interviews at work recently. probably the best person on paper was the worst in real life - very very nervous - he has been rejected for jobs all over the country - i felt sorry for him TBH - I did wonder if he knew how he came across though.

I imagine he needs some coaching on how to improve his technique and how he comes across.

maybe you have somehting similar? but in a different area, if you are not nervous.

[Rollcage]

Ask for some proper feedback - what you are getting is just blather.

The point of feedback is so you can work on the weaknesses the interviewers may have picked up on - just saying "We chose someone else" is not sufficient IMO. Al you are hearing is what they liked, not what they didnt.

Not the point of "Feedback" at all!

[Kit80]

JonRB said:

You're female, SJ.

Next question?

Am scared you asked that, I would have thought you would know by now, why does that impact?

[nipperS2K]

Kit80 said:

Cheers that is helpful. 150% now every interview.

Think I am starting to lose the will to live though and I know others have put up with it a lot longer.

Tell me about it, sometimes its hard to remain positive but I must. Good Luck.

[Kit80]

69 coupe said:

Age????

29 thought that was a good age, old enough to know better and yu enough not to care..I mean retire?

[Kit80]

Rollcage said:

Ask for some proper feedback - what you are getting is just blather.

The point of feedback is so you can work on the weaknesses the interviewers may have picked up on - just saying "We chose someone else" is not sufficient IMO. Al you are hearing is what they liked, not what they didnt.

Not the point of "Feedback" at all!

I agree and that is what I am after proper feedback! But despite my requests am not getting it.

[Mojooo]

fit females always have an advantage unless the job really requires a man

tell us you're fit!

[Kit80]

Mojooo said:

get some feedback from people who wont be so polite in real life? it might just be something you can only spot face to face

i did meet and greet at some interviews at work recently. probably the best person on paper was the worst in real life - very very nervous - he has been rejected for jobs all over the country - i felt sorry for him TBH - I did wonder if he knew how he came across though.

I imagine he needs some coaching on how to improve his technique and how he comes across.

maybe you have somehting similar? but in a different area, if you are not nervous.

I like your thinking, I don't think it is nerves but there could be something else but family and friends wont tell me, interviewers wont tell me, anyone here want to interview me?

[Kit80]

nipperS2K said:

Kit80 said:

Cheers that is helpful. 150% now every interview.

Think I am starting to lose the will to live though and I know others have put up with it a lot longer.

Tell me about it, sometimes its hard to remain positive but I must. Good Luck.

You to

[Mojooo]

Kit80 said:

Mojooo said:

get some feedback from people who wont be so polite in real life? it might just be something you can only spot face to face

i did meet and greet at some interviews at work recently. probably the best person on paper was the worst in real life - very very nervous - he has been rejected for jobs all over the country - i felt sorry for him TBH - I did wonder if he knew how he came across though.

I imagine he needs some coaching on how to improve his technique and how he comes across.

maybe you have somehting similar? but in a different area, if you are not nervous.

I like your thinking, I don't think it is nerves but there could be something else but family and friends wont tell me, interviewers wont tell me, anyone here want to interview me?

answer my last question and i will tell ya

i spose you would have to follow the above advice from another poster and ask for more critical feedback - but i dunno why anyone would wanna slag you off after not giving you a job!

Edited by Mojooo on Wednesday 24th February 00:03

[Rollcage]

Kit80 said:

Rollcage said:

Ask for some proper feedback - what you are getting is just blather.

The point of feedback is so you can work on the weaknesses the interviewers may have picked up on - just saying "We chose someone else" is not sufficient IMO. Al you are hearing is what they liked, not what they didnt.

Not the point of "Feedback" at all!

I agree and that is what I am after proper feedback! But despite my requests am not getting it.

I would guess most of your interviews are through recruiters - something usually seems to get lost in translation, somewhere in the process. I have found much better feedback when being recruited directly, as you often get it from the interviewer themselves. Having said that, it is amazing how many people are still reluctant to give what may be perceived as negative criticism, even if it is constructive!

[Kit80]

Mojooo said:

fit females always have an advantage unless the job really requires a man

tell us you're fit!

That would require an interview panel to decide as well am sure

Am I niave to think being female is not an impact here? It is not a male dominated industry.

[Mojooo]

if you are getting feedback via agencies then they are probably BS'ing you a lot.

[Kit80]

Rollcage said:

Kit80 said:

Rollcage said:

Ask for some proper feedback - what you are getting is just blather.

The point of feedback is so you can work on the weaknesses the interviewers may have picked up on - just saying "We chose someone else" is not sufficient IMO. Al you are hearing is what they liked, not what they didnt.

Not the point of "Feedback" at all!

I agree and that is what I am after proper feedback! But despite my requests am not getting it.

I would guess most of your interviews are through recruiters - something usually seems to get lost in translation, somewhere in the process. I have found much better feedback when being recruited directly, as you often get it from the interviewer themselves. Having said that, it is amazing how many people are still reluctant to give what may be perceived as negative criticism, even if it is constructive!

Agencies put me forward as a strong candidate - the employers interview me.

I have had to explain my role/qualifications to many an agency which is a tad worrying.

[Kit80]

Mojooo said:

if you are getting feedback via agencies then they are probably BS'ing you a lot.

I agree but if I contact the employer direct I fear I am crossing 'mental' type boundries?