A job interview is highly asymmetrical. The employer usually has the power, the money and they’re the decision maker ultimately. On the other hand, the candidate is judged, questioned, poked and prodded at to discover their strengths, weaknesses, faults or if their attitude is a culture fit for the role.
The hard truth is, most of the time, you’ll misfire and not be selected for a job. Whether you bomb an interview, or maybe your resume is rejected for the 173rd time, you need to remind yourself: it’s not personal, it’s just business.
While running this gauntlet day after day, you need to remember the situation is not a reflection of you as a person or the value you bring to the table in other areas of life. Nevertheless, if you let it, the job hunting process will drain you over time and make you question your abilities so you must be on guard to keep your spirits up. Below are a few dragging forces you’ll encounter and need to overcome.
Starts with being laid off
Right out of the gate, you’re starting on a bad note. The only reason you’re unemployed is because your previous company “un-employed” you. Maybe it was your fault or maybe not but either way, being tossed aside is a sour feeling which can lead to anxiety and frustration. In my experience, the best thing to do is take a few days to process the blow, then get to work at your new job —- >finding a new job.
Application Ad Nauseum
Most recruiters or managers view you as a number or just another item on the To-Do list. You won’t even make it past the gatekeepers unless your attributes line up with the whims of the filtering tools or people behind the submission portal.
Your job basically becomes mindless data entry—
Filter job portals for new roles
Upload resumes to Workday
Re-enter resume information manually for Education and Job history
Select Veteran Status, Hispanic or Latino status, Gender Preference and enter digital signature
Wake up next morning to 3-7 automated rejection emails
Repeat
Slow Drip Interview Processes
Under ideal circumstances, I would suggest the best version of interviewing runs something like this:
Submit a resume —>receive interview request or official decline of resume within 72 hours
Interview over video with direct manager for mutual personality fit, background and to get a clear understanding of the role
Get take home assignment for role to judge skillset & competency. It must be returned within 72 hours for review —>or automatic rejection for role
Interview again to review and discuss assignment returned—>Decision to hire or pass on candidate.
The whole process should take between 7-14 days.
A typical version looks more like this:
Submit resume & wait — possibly forever
Get a call to interview with HR or a recruiter then wait some more —possibly forever
Interview with team member to answer hokey HR questions “Where you name a time when” you dealt with adversity or solved a problem ——wait some more
Interview again with another team member where you’re asked random technical questions with no preparation, context or refresher— wait some more
Automated Rejection letter via email with no insight or context
The whole process takes somewhere between 30 days and forever and you end up back at square one
Rejection
After all the applications and interviewing you finally get an answer. No Thanks - Pass.
Unfortunately, it’s not meant to be. But you live to fight another day. Winston Churchill is quoted as “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” and so you will, until eventually you hear that “Yes”. But until you do remember, it’s not personal. It’s just business.
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Thoughts? Questions? Comments?
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