Failed at job interview-but was the feedback fair?

Question

I went for a job interview the other day for a cruise ship admin position,organised by an agency.I made a real effort to look good-instead of a suit however i wore a black tank top over a white shirt,to look different.My friends said i looked very smart.Everything went very well.2 days later i had a call from my agent saying the company did not want to employ me based on the fact that i was poorly presented and i talked too much!! I think they were making excuses for my overly confident manner.Is it possible to look/sound too interested? and does this put employers off? does the grounds for refusal to employ sound unfair to you? and have you had a similar experience?

Thanks.

might i just like to add that i will specify further the description of what i wore-a plain black sleeveless cardigan over a white blouse.

Answer 1

Talking to much is a catch phrase for someone who rabbles on subjects which does not pertain to the job or the questions the interviewer poised. Which is a clear indicator of someone who lacks focus, and mental organization.
Secondly the interviewers response does not seem like an excuse to me. They could have just said "No", and hunged up on the recruiter.
Third, I do not doubt your friends liked your outfit. However wearing any type of tank-top was a mistake. It is not appropiate attire for a job interview.
If you want to think that it had something to do with intimidating others by your over-confidence, then by all means go with it.

Answer 2

Always wear a suit for an interview. You are instantly giving a bad impression if you don't. No matter how smart you looked, nothing is smarter than a suit, and compared to other candidates you probably did look poorly presented.

With regard to talking too much, this can be a problem if you are talking about the wrong things. You need to answer the questions asked - and only the questions asked - in a detailed but succinct manner. If you start talking about something not directly related to the question then this will look bad. It will look like you can't concentrate on what you've been asked for, and if it was really bad, it will look like you weren't even listening to the question. I have conducted a number of interviews where the candidates gave very brief answers to the question asked and then started talking off topic about how good they were in completely different areas to what we were asking. I've never offered a job to anyone who does this, as an interviewer you ask yourself "well if they can't answer a straight question at an interview, what will they be like to manage".

Also you have to remember that the interviewers have chosen those questions because the answers will indicate how good a match for the job you are. If you don't answer them fully and ramble about something else, then they don't have very much information to decide whether you are capable of the job. People often make similar mistakes on application forms - leaving off information that is relevant, and then becoming perplexed when they're not shortlisted. Only the applicant can provide the relevant information, and if you fail to do this then you can't blame the selection panel.

Answer 3

While you were trying to look smart, I think maybe wearing a tanktop over white shirt wasn't the best choice. When you go in for an interview, you want to try and dress like the staff. If they are wearing suit or semi tuxedo then you should have dressed like that. First impressions will set the tone of the interview, if they already have "an impression" of you, whether negative or positive, then they will start honing in on the imperfections.
Everyone makes these mistakes, but it is wise to learn from them. Interviewng is good practice, so next time ask questions but answer questions and get right to the point. Have "stories" prepared, these are examples of past experience that relate to the job you are interviewing for. These experiences will be similar to the customer service position you would have performed on the ship. It's great to feel confident in an interview, but don't assume anything. You'll need to be able to read what the interviewer wants to hear and try to answer the questions appropriately.

Answer 4

Sometimes the feedback you receive is just bullshit BUT they can't tell you the real reason that you're rejected in case it is misconstrued and then they are sued. So, don't take too much notice of any feedback that you're given. Also remember that there may be several applicants and only one job, so there are going to be several people rejected - and just because someone is better than you, doesn't necessarily mean that there's anything wrong with you.

Example: I am a recruiter and I recently had to reject someone for being too inexperienced. But I can't say that to him, because if you use the word "inexperienced" it can be perceived as saying that someone is too young, and of course you can't reject someone based on age. So I just had to make up an entirely different reason.

Now, if the feedback you received is correct, think about the following:
- You definitely can talk too much in an interview. It could come across as nervous gabbling (and they don't want a nervous person in a customer-facing position) or it could come off as inarticulate because you don't know how to phrase a concise answer to the question.
- You can definitely come across as over-confident - what you believe is confident may come over as arrogant and cocky to someone else, especially to someone who is only just meeting you for the first time. Remember how Rhydian came across during the X Factor auditions? He probably thought that that was confident, but to everyone else he just seemed arrogant. (Yes, I know he's lovely now.)
- You should always wear a suit to an interview. I get where you're coming from with wanting to look different but be advised that this is only acceptable in certain industries, e.g. in the media.

So, just put this down to experience and move on. Best of luck with your next interview!

Answer 5

Probably would have been better in suit or shirt and tie. I think the comment that you talked too much might have been the main issue. Remember the type of job you were applying for and also did you allow your interviewers a word in edgeways? It can be frustrating for a prospective employer not to be able to move through the interview smoothly and obtain all of the information they required for an informed decision. My advice is to answer the question accurately and a little extra information is fine but don't over do it.

Answer 6

I would take your agency to task.

They should MANAGE you in and out of the interview. After all, they will get a fat "finder's Fee" if you are successful!

They should have advised you as to your dress and gone through a preliminary check with the potential employer.

As for your presentation, interviewers look for poise and control. That means no slouching, or leaning. It is a dé rigeur pose, to sit, boxer style, with hands clasped on your lap. This ensures that your presentation is neither too demonstrative, nor defensive.

Some interviews can be quite unexpectedly complex, especially when the potential employer invites you to lunch. Many jobs have been lost because the interviewee held forth on controversial opinions, or took an alcoholic drink.

Next time make sure your agent does his/her job........... and forget looking different!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Hi sorry to hear you did not get job, but most companies do prefer applicants to wear a suit, especially when in the work place you would normally wear a uniform of some description, dont give up looking for work but try and show your skills more and personality less, most employers want staff to fit together not stand out, good luck for future

Answer 8

Your friends might have thought you looked very smart, but it doesn't sound like you looked very professional. And frankly, overly confident often spills over into obnoxious.

Answer 9

it is a business decision, they felt that you just did not qualify for the position. I don't care how "good" you were dressed, or how confident you are in yourself, It's their decision, based on Their needs, nothing more or nothing less.
good luck.

Answer 10

I failed to land many jobs although I know that at a few I was the best candidate. However companies always have an answer to hand to cover themselves. I too wish they could be honest.