Cher Forman
"Ask Cher"
Cher Forman has over 20 years of domestic and international Human Resources experience in organizations ranging from startups to $3B. As Director or Vice President, she has managed Human Resources groups at Applied Materials, Stanford Telecom, Ask Computer Systems, Teledex and Tri-Data Corporation and consulted on H.R. philosophy, values and infrastructure with many start-ups as well. Cher has managed several of these firms through rapid expansion and significant organizational challenges. While at Applied Materials, she led her business unit as the company grew from 6,000 to 16,000 employees in three years. Ms. Forman has specific expertise in employment, corporate legal compliance, development of cost effective compensation/benefit strategies, organization development and international HR management. She has a degree in Organization Behavior from the University of San Francisco and has participated in advanced training at several other colleges and universities.
Dear Cher:
Why Haven't I been hired, even after a great interview?
Eddy B.
Answer:
Hi Eddy
Last week I answered your question about why you may not have been offered a job after quite a few interviews at different companies. So, I gave you the 20 top reasons, from a list of 40, employers gave for not hiring people after interviewing them. This week I’ll be following up with the remaining 20 reasons. As I mentioned before, go through them thoughtfully and take your time. You may find that something you thought wouldn’t be important, is of interest to an interviewer. This will be a prompt to change the behavior that gave a negative impression.
Let me use an example from last week’s list….the limp fish handshake….. I know a man who is a high level Engineering Manager whose job had taken him through many transfers as well as required him to travel all over the world for extended periods. This man is from the Southern part of the country originally. When I met him, his handshake was weak and almost felt fearful. As I got to know him a little better I spoke to him about it and told him how the handshake came across. Total surprise, and yes, a little embarrassment crossed over his face. He was stunned that a handshake was something I would point out. Being from the South, and a somewhat imposing, tall man, he had been taught by his Mother to never shake too hard because he might inadvertently squeeze too tight, especially with women.
I explained to him how a limp handshake comes across as a lack of confidence, a lack of interest in the other person, and even gives a hint that the person is not very decisive. After we discussed it a while, I could see the light bulb go on in his head. He really saw how different habits we may have had for years and have never really thought about can have a large impact in a business or social situation.
So, readers, peruse the list thoughtfully. One of these off-putting traits may be yours.
Here are reasons #20 through# 40, given for not hiring a candidate for an available job, out a group of 158 respondents.
- Lack of genuine interest in the position – merely shopping around, just want job.
- Lack of commitment – wants the job only for a short time.
- Little sense of humor.
- Lack or knowledge of field or specialization.
- Lack of research into company and/or industry.
- Emphasis on whom s/he knows.
- Unwillingness to be mobile.
- Negative or cynical attitude.
- Laziness.
- Lack of tolerance – strong prejudices.
- Narrow interests.
- Poor handling of personal finances.
- Obvious personal problems.
- Failure to ask appropriate questions about the job or company.
- No interest in community activities.
- Inability to accept criticism.
- Lack of appreciation for the value of experience.
- Radical ideas.
- Late to interview without good reason.
- Failure to express appreciation for interviewer’s time – no thank you or handshake.
It’s hard not to wonder if any one of us may be guilty sometimes of one or two of these behaviors, isn’t it? Go back and read the entire list one more time, do a little soul searching, and be open to change. Then, go into your next interview with a broader awareness of what to avoid doing or what to start doing in an interview…and nail that job!
Best, Cher
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