Feedback: Must Know if You have Ever Failed an Interview

Rejection is a popular word, bit not an appropriate one with respect to the recruitment domain.

Nevertheless, be ready for ¡t. The feeling of rejection or non-selection and its fear keeps bothering us. Another reaction to j is anger. This can be momentary or long-lasting but only ends up hurting us. Let not rejection or the feeling of being rejected get to you. Always consider it as a lesson which will serve you better next time. Rejection teaches us more than an easy success. Remember, “Even when you fall flat on your face, you are still ahead of where you were.”

There are a number of reasons why applicants are rejected by an employer; some of which have no relationship to your skills or talent. Following are some of them:

• Inability to express self clearly and/or poor communication skills (voice, articulation, diction, grammar, mannerism, gesticulation)

• Uncertainty about future goals and/or career plans or unrealistic goals

• Poor personal appearance

• Lack of enthusiasm or interest ¡n the job or organization (failure to ask questions)

• Excessive interest in salary, benefits and vacation

• Lack of courtesy, maturity or tact

• Lack of knowledge about the organization

• Lack of confidence or over-confidence

• Evasiveness

• Supercilious attitude

• Stern and inflexible attitude/ behaviour

• Lack of eye contact

• Ineffective greeting

• Arriving late, with someone from the

• Being rude, abrupt and overbearing

• Neglecting to acknowledge and thank the interviewer for their time

• Indecisiveness

• Being unprepared

• Too aggressive

• Too many excuses

• Reluctance to relocate, if the job demands

• Poor references

A reliable way to practice is to have mock interviews with someone from the family, friends, etc keep a list of pre-prepared questions ready which the person is through with. Give them pointers on what all to observe and assess