I'm amazed that two months have passed since my last posting. I had previously mentioned an interview with a manager who was previously employed with my former employer. Our interview went well and I also interviewed with five other people, some of which I had also known from my former place of employment. I thought I had an excellent chance at getting the position, but it was offered to another candidate.
When I mentioned the scenario noted above with a recruiter, he mentioned that if there was no personality conflict, then the only other reason would be that a former associate was making derogatory remarks against me or my work. I was truly devastated. Searching for employment during a recession is difficult enough without having a former associate---someone with whom I worked closely and successfully for so many years---undermine my efforts. Although I can't relate to how someone would be so cruel, I know enough about human behavior to know that I shouldn't be surprised.
Soon after, I had yet another interview with a different group of writers at the same company. I had interviewed with three wonderful people. I was so sure I would be offered the position that I started looking for a new apartment in the area. The next day, I was informed by the recruiter that the position was offered to another candidate. It didn't make any sense.
I recently read that with so many qualified people vying for a single position, an employer must simply pick a person out of the bunch. As such, it's not that I might be doing anything wrong during an interview; it's more likely due to chance resulting from an overabundance of candidates. The rationale doesn't help me make my mortgage payment, but it does convince me not to take things personally. As Stuart Smalley says, "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!" Perhaps next time, I'll be the lucky one who is selected for the job.
