Interview Confusion: Why Was I Not Shortlisted After a Seemingly Positive Chat?

Hi,

I was recently called for an interview at IBM through a recruitment consultant for a position in Business Development Administration. I attended the interview, which was a very informal chat with one of their HR Managers. I was asked to recount my personal and professional details. I gave them a recount of my family and my career history, which was just an oral narration of whatever I had put in my resume. There were very few supplementary questions. The lady heard me out, and at the end of it, she asked me about my salary expectations. I mentioned that I was looking for an industry-standard hike. She then mentioned that if needed, I would be called for another interview.

Today, I received news from the consultant that I am not shortlisted, and I am very puzzled. Can anybody shed some light on this?

Thank you

Hi Sherine,

I am sorry about the interview. There might be many reasons for not being selected. It might not be the salary issue. They might have found a candidate who meets their expectations, or the position may have been filled internally through references. They may also consider the organization where you are currently working.

From,
Phanish

Hi Sherine,

Come on, nothing to lose. You haven't lost anything. We can't always predict the interviewers, but most of them filter through stages and are more predictable. You didn't give a clear scenario of the interviewer and you at the time of the interview, so that would be harder to explain completely.

Anyway, leave the past behind, and we have a lot more to venture out. All the best.

Thanks & regards

Hi,

There's nothing to lose. In fact, they have lost you :)

From my understanding, if you have just narrated whatever is portrayed in the profile - that can be one of the reasons. A person would have run through the profile even before they called you for a personal discussion. They will not be interested in listening to whatever is written to be said; they can read through it themselves.

The approach should have been explaining more about the profile and how you were contributing to the role - what the key achievements were, how you achieved them, and how this experience will be helpful for improving performance at IBM, etc. I am making it sound easy, but this requires good preparation.

As Ram mentioned, predicting interviewers is a herculean task, though some of their body language and tones can give us a feel. Prepare well in advance for what could be asked and how to project - that will yield fruits. I am also in the same process - understanding my pitfalls in every interview to better myself.

You may end up joining the same IBM after some time in a better position, dude...just think of that time ahead.

All the best!

Cheers,

Rajesh B

Valuelanes

Bangalore

98458 41000

Hi Sherine,

Converting an interview into an offer is not that easy!!

And more so, it is not entirely dependent on the interview or your performance in the interview.

You might have an excellent interview AND still might not be offered a job!!

The prime concern in an interview is to find a 'FIT'!!

The interviewer is 'trying' to fit you into several things:

1. The available job profile
2. The company culture
3. The job requirements (location/travel/late working, etc.)
4. Requirements of analytical/creative/routine work
5. Requirements of working in teams/individual
6. Requirements related to communication (in client-facing roles...)
7. 8.... 9.... and more....

You can be very, very good!!

But may not fit into the exact role they are looking for....

So, after a good interview, it's not a matter of 'your' capability or skills.... it's just a matter of the FIT!!

So don't worry at all!! Be very positive about the next interview at some other company!!

Just pray to God!!

"Give me a company where I can fit in best and enjoy the work."

[A detailed analysis could be done on the interview only if we knew exactly what went into the interview... what was asked and what was answered...]

ALL THE BEST!!

...shoOOonya...

Dear Sherine,

I agree with shoOOonya. I conduct interviews for my company, and one of the most important criteria is Organization Fit, meaning how this person will fit in the department and the culture.

You can be the best candidate, but if your character or personality does not match the culture, it will be an "application rejected." Take it as a blessing in disguise. On the other hand, if they hired you, and after 3 months, you could not cope with how things are run, or just couldn't fit in, wouldn't it be more detrimental if you decided to look for another job? Then, wouldn't it be more difficult for you to answer why the sudden move after a short period with the company?

Be confident and continue to search; like love, there will be a company that will fit you. But NEVER belittle yourself and lose confidence in your abilities and skills, thinking that you are not good enough. Trained interviewers will sense it like sharks to blood.

All the best. 😊

Regards.

Thanks, Noel. You added precisely what I had in mind but forgot to add :oops: Sherine. Not getting a particular job may actually be good at times. I remember when I lost my job in an IT company in the year 2001. Well, I went on to create my own business and started a training center. 1.5 years later, I proceeded to do my MBA, and now I find myself in a nice big company as a consultant! ;-)) Things are always good! We just realize it late! ShoOOonya.

Hi Sherine,

I just read your message. Don't feel bad. This is quite common in all top branded companies. I also faced lots like this. Once the consultant submits just 2 to 5 resumes, they will shortlist and inform the consultant. Sometimes, all resumes submitted by the consultancy will be called.

They never see the resumes; they will only look after when you go there for an interview. Just for eye shake, they need to conduct interviews; mostly, they will do it internally. Always try, try, try, and you will succeed. They never give an update on why they didn't shortlist.

A lot of times, I feel bad because after we go, they will say they are looking for someone with less years of experience or some other reasons. They might have to decide this before calling for an interview. Many branded companies' HR departments do this.

Well, you did not go wrong anywhere. The IBM HR just failed to see your qualities and skills. Maybe they were not in a position to offer you a salary commensurate with your skills. They could not afford a quality candidate and might have opted for another candidate who quoted a lower salary but may not have had the same skills. Therefore, you had nothing to lose in this situation; just forget about it.