Who Gets Hired, Who Doesn't and Why

During any job search, it can be difficult to accept rejection when it seems you've done everything in your power to impress the hiring manager. Ever wonder how hiring managers make decisions on who to hire and who to reject? Here's some insight.

How They Decide

Many hiring managers use a combination of factors when deciding which candidate to give a chance: the candidate's career profile, the candidate's personality or ability to build a rapport during an interview, and a healthy dose of inner intuition. The truth is, no two hiring managers use the exact same method for coming to a final decision, so it's simply impossible to predict what could happen. It's the reason why so many candidates feel they struck out during the interview only to get a callback, and others feel they did everything right, only to get a rejection email a few days later. There simply is no hard and fast formula for predicting a hiring manager's decision.

Interview Often

Due to the subjective and personal nature of a hiring decision, you should never become too invested in any particular job opportunity. Give your best effort during the interview, follow up within a reasonable window of time and continue searching for other opportunities. Do not waste precious time holding out for a callback, or you'll be even more discouraged if you don't get an offer. Put an egg in as many baskets as you can to maximize your potential.

Didn't Get the Job?

If you've given your best effort and still didn't get an offer, try not to beat yourself up. Some hiring managers just won't see your light, no matter what you do or say. Moreover, for every job opening, there could be dozens of other candidates who go through the interview process. There's only one position, so the vast majority of candidates, no matter how promising, will be rejected. If you didn't get the job, the job wasn't for you. It's as simple as that.

What to Focus On

Your main focus during the job search should be on finding a company that shares your values and philosophies. Perform thorough research until you know the company backwards and forwards. This makes it that much easier to see where you'll fit in best, and hiring managers will recognize your in-depth knowledge, as well as your natural enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Never try to fit into an unnatural box in order to please or impress a hiring manager. Since their hiring decisions can come from a subjective place with many factors to consider, there could always be a reason to reject you that's out of your control. Your job is to present your personality, skills and experience in the best light possible. The right hiring manager will recognize this and give you a chance.

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