Getting your player ready...
Coming in second place in the job interview can be a major disappointment.Anticipation begins to build when you realize your qualifications are under serious consideration as you progress through the interview process.
It is easy to understand a feeling of letdown if you “come in second.” If this scenario sounds familiar, then it is time to consider proactive strategies for next time. In addition, there are smart steps you can take now to rekindle recent opportunities.
Review your interview strategy and skills
If you came in second for a position over the past few weeks or months, take time to revisit the interview process and your performance. Did you prepare as well as you could have? Were there questions that left you struggling for an answer? Did you understand the impact of the position on the company’s success? Were you able to articulate specifically how you would be able to solve the problems posed by the position? If not, then it is time to go back to the drawing board and establish better interview strategies for next time.
Conversely, if you were well prepared but still stumbled in the interview, ask yourself why. It could be that you are out of practice if you have not searched for a new job in a while. It could be that you were a great skill match but you and the boss were not likely to get along. Don’t try to force a fit or you and your new boss will both regret it.
Keep the doors open
If you felt a good rapport with the people who interviewed you, and your qualifications were a solid match, that is a sign that you should keep the doors open. It is a sign of self-motivation to follow up politely in a few weeks or months, to inquire how the new hire is working out.
Sometimes, you may be surprised to learn that the other candidate never accepted the offer. That leaves an opening, and if you were truly a top candidate, it is worth pursuing.
Even if the new hire is working out, ask about project overflow. Could the boss use an extra pair of hands to take on a specific project for a period of months? This too, has led to full-time employment, provided your performance and interpersonal skills are top notch.
One more strategy
These ideas work well for reviewing past interviews and leveraging those opportunities you already know about. Going forward, plan in advance of interviews to identify the people you would like to have in your professional network whether they hire you or not. Establish a strong rapport as you move through the interview process so that you are comfortable connecting again in the future.
If you receive an offer and accept, then you have established the beginnings of a solid work relationship.
If you do not receive an offer, be prepared to ask for ideas and expanded connections to other hiring managers. Admittedly, this approach takes courage. In this competitive job market, however, the more willing you are to adapt new and smart strategies, the sooner you will find yourself coming in first.
