KATHMANDU, March 22: What do you do when you find out that you actually didn't land the job despite the great interview? You met all their requirements, had all the right answers, you asked some good questions, and you even seemed to connect well with the interviewers.
It can be more than a little disappointing to find that someone else got the job you thought was surely yours.
Heart to Heart with Malvika
The first rule is to never ever consider that a job is yours for the taking until you actually receive the offer.
There could be different reasons for not getting the job.
1. Someone better came along: Perhaps the other candidate managed to impress the hiring management more than you did. Sometimes the timing also matters. For instance, if the last candidate for the day managed to make a good impression on the interviewers, that candidate will be more memorable for them.
2. You might not have done as well as you thought you did: It's possible that you slipped up and made a mistake during the interview. Maybe you were too enthusiastic while you were selling yourself, or you accidently ended up badmouthing your previous employers.
What to do next:
1. Don't wallow in self pity too much: It's understandable that you feel extremely upset and might even question your abilities. Your self esteem certainly takes a hit during such moments. However, it's important to stop yourself before going too far. Remind yourself that there will be plenty of other opportunities for you.
2. Ask for feedback: It's always a good idea to request for feedback. Ask what you could have said or done differently, what they were looking for in a candidate, etc. You could probably use these suggestions when you are job hunting the next time.
3. Write to them: In all probability, you will be feeling disappointed and frustrated with the situation that you won't want to write to them. But in case you really liked the company and would like to work for them in the future, you should send them an email. Write about how you enjoyed the interview (you did feel that it went well) and how you hope to be considered for other suitable posts in the future. This extra touch could very well land you a job at some point.
