I interviewed well, but did not get the postion.?

Question

I interviewed for an internal position in our HR dept and the narrowed it down to the top (3) candidates, including myself. I did not get the position. I interviewed with 5 persons,all of whom I would have been working with directly. The interviews wnet very well. When the Head of HR called to tell me the news he was seemingly very apologetic and advised that we all were very qualified. What could I have done to have been seen as more adequate for the position? Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am the Champion Coordinator for one of the firms biggest Charity campagn (American Cancer Society). I raised over $10,000 last year internally. Which was never done before. It propelled the company into the un-rivaled number one spot for the 4th year in a row. I spoke at the American Cancer Society campaign breakfast and was asked to sit in on the ACS marketing conference call to offer marketing strategies to their team. I have over 152 hours of vacation time. My performance rating was above average. I have sent an email to the head of HR requesting what if any thing made the difference between selection of candidates.

Answer 1

edit added after your additional details...
Non-profits behave in the exact opposite way that most for profit companies behave. Was the person selected already an employee (or from the outside?)


original post
Did you send thank you notes re-iterating your interest and thanking all 5 of the people individually?

Did you create a business presentation that outlines your internal career with the company and all the ways you have increased the companies bottom line in your current position?

And are you a "value-added" employee that doesn't use every paid day off and consistently finds ways for the company to make more money or save more money?

People that are "value-added" and who consistently do more than they are required to are the ones that get promoted. Those that watch the clock and miss as much work as possible find it difficult to get ahead.

If I were in your shoes, I would call each of the people you interviewed with and ask them face to face what the person they promoted, had that you didn't. Then you have a roadmap to work from for the next opportunity.

Answer 2

As a former HR Director and a current General Manager of a Fortune company, I strongly recommend that you personally go to the final decision maker and ask them if they can give you a few minutes. Tell them that you totally respect their decision and would like to know, for your future personal development, what you could do differently to ensure that you get the next position. Tell him/her that you want them to be entirely candid and will not be offended with their response. This may elicit the advice that you want so that you do get the next position. It sounds like you are a super achiever and the following may not be your situation, but I have seen it many times. I have a number of super achievers who have other issues. For example, they may go above and beyond in their work performance areas, but speak badly of co-workers, management or the company. Others may have a lot of personal issues and be clock watchers as a result. The final catagory, and most difficult one in many cases, are those who need constant attention or feedback. They take 80% of my discretionary time and other, who may not perform as well and really need the attention are deprived as a result. If none of these situations are yours, then go to the person directly. You will likely not get the honest answer that you want via e-mail as it becomes a written document that may be used against them. If the decision makers are in a different location then call. E-mail will not give you the information that you want. Good luck and congratulations on your remarkable achievements. Things always work out for people like you who do such great things for the needy.

Answer 3

Honestly I think it all boils down to personal energy. It's like when you first meet someone and you seem to get a sense of whether you will like that person or not. It could be something about their speech or looks or clothing or just their personal energy. Sometimes it is something that you really can't quite put your finger on. You just "feel" comfortable with them. If your energy doesn't mesh well with those people making the call then they will choose the one they felt most comfortable with.
I know a girl who just got a job at a university. She interviewed with 5 people as well. She's a very plus size girl but very personable. And she was chosen over the other 8 applicants that they had boiled it down to. As it turns out she really loves her job and they all love her. It's just the energy thing.
Try not to feel bad. Because if they didn't choose you it may be a good thing. You may have hated them as bosses. And they may have made your life miserable.

Answer 4

How do u give the analysis unless u've seen the match, I cant comment on what u can improve on , but maybe that HR head can,maybe something can be improved upon or maybe sometimes if u lose by a close call it is not the best person who wins,but remember SOMETIMES, neways u were close, so dont take such a narrow miss to hard, If u find a problem rectify it , and go on

Answer 5

well first off i think race plays into a job interview,age and appearance . that is why you see girls with big boobs getting jobs over the more qualified girls who are smarter and have more expieirience . It frankly ticks me off that any of these mentioned plays into the aqusition of a job it sucks .

Answer 6

it's not what you know.. it's who you know.