I’ve encountered several situations where former colleagues have sought out positions, only to fall short due to the dreaded “overqualified” or “not the right fit” at the end of the interview process. In the past, I as well have encountered similar situations when on the job hunt.
It can be easy to look at yourself and say “what’s wrong with me?” but more importantly, times like these are ones to really look at what you are looking to do, and why in fact you didn’t get offered the job in the first place.
A commonality I’ve seen in my own shortfalls in the past as well as my colleagues is getting to the stage in the interview process where you meet with the people you will report to or to the people you may work with. It can be frustrating to go through 4 or 5 interviews, only to then be told you aren’t the right fit.
As one of my former leaders once told me when I was turned down for a job for being “too polished”, “sometimes people won’t hire you because they know you are more fit than them for their own job, and feel threatened by bringing you on board.”
Share your turndown stories at robert@galaconcierge.com