What else you got?

So an Executive Recruiter approached you with a GREAT new career opportunity. You interview for the role, and although you did well, the company felt another candidate was “more closely aligned with our business requirements.” Translation: They liked someone else more. Happens…all the time.

There may be a hundred reasons why you didn’t get the job offer, and most of them have nothing to do with you. The hiring manager picked his buddy. Why? Relationships trump talent, and he knows, likes and trusts his buddy. Is it fair? Nope! But it is how the world works. Possibly the company’s expectation is too high. Another common situation. The company wants a $225,000 executives for $160,000. Sorry, not in this economy. A third reason is COMPANIES MAKE BAD HIRING DECISIONS. This year has been shocking on that front. Some of the executive hiring decisions boggle my mind. They are probably OK in the short term, but what happens when the economy falls apart? All those lousy hiring decisions will stick out like a sore thumb, and the companies will quickly be in financial distress.

And the biggest reason of all? Everything happens for a reason. We don’t always understand the master plan, however we usually get a glimpse at some point down the road. Be careful what you wish for! Just worked a Director, Human Resources role and my candidate did not even get an interview. The compensation on the role is well below market rate, and the company took two weeks to get back to me. Wow, real professional. You won’t be hiring any star athletes with that process.

Recently had two candidate situations. Secured them both interviews. One candidate was 85% of what the hiring company needed. They interviewed him and passed. They are STILL looking. The other candidate was the best person for the job and should have received a job offer. He did not. Trust me, I was disappointed, but at the end of the day, the decision was up to the CEO at the hiring company. Gave him the benefit of my knowledge and experience, but it’s 100% his call.

Both candidates asked me , “What else you got?” If you remember nothing else from this article, remember these two things. First, the Recruiter’s job is to secure the interview. YOUR job is close the deal. If you get the interview but not the job offer, the Recruiter did their job. Refer to the above – there may be a hundred reasons you were not selected. Don’t take it out on the Recruiter!

Second, Executive Recruiters get people for jobs, NOT jobs for people. There is not a long line of $300,000 career opportunities. The Recruiter has to focus on their open roles or they don’t get paid. They are not Career Coaches; they don’t have 10 jobs for you. Thank the Recruiter for their time and move on. Never ask “What else you got?”