The answer is always difficult because there is no straightforward response to this question. The decision-making process in recruitment depends on many factors, from the submitted application to the final meeting with the future employer. If we are not actively job hunting and an offer comes our way, we often see it as a potential opportunity for growth, improving our financial situation, and testing ourselves in a new environment. When asked “What would encourage you to discuss a potential job offer?” candidates often emphasise the desire to step out of their comfort zone.
Another situation is when we actively seek a new position due to dissatisfaction with our current job, a change in management, or job cuts. The reason we’re seeking employment is crucial and influences our approach to recruitment and how we present ourselves. It’s important that from the first meeting in the recruitment process, whether with a company representative or a headhunter, the candidate has an idea of how they will present themselves and how to showcase their best qualities to increase their chances of being selected. The recruitment process is complex and involves many stages, so candidates must be committed and prepared for a series of meetings.
Therefore, it’s important for the candidate to:
- Be well-prepared for the first meeting, gather information about the company they’re applying to, and familiarise themselves with the job description.
- Prepare for the meeting, considering how they want to present themselves, what qualities they have that are needed for the role, and why it’s worth talking about them.
- Be fully prepared to go through the stages of discussions and presentations that will demonstrate their thinking, level of business knowledge, and competencies.
- Have time to think through and prepare tasks they will receive as part of the presentation, paying attention to their proper execution.
- Allocate time to complete tests, and create suitable conditions because test time is limited, and concentration plays a crucial role.
- Subsequent meetings often involve repetitive questions, but it’s important not to get irritated by them because different people pay attention to different aspects of the answers.
- Maintain clarity in expectations regarding the role, organization, financial aspects, and others, which can be discussed with the future supervisor or HR department.
These are all small yet significant elements that help answer the question “Why wasn’t I chosen?”. Preparation, commitment, and consistency increase the chances of success in the recruitment process. It’s natural for the future employer to ask a series of questions and gather a lot of information about us, aiming to fully understand our motivations and interest in the offer. Meanwhile, we bring with us our experiences built in a different place and in a different business reality, along with our expectations. Good luck.
