In half the cases where you were 'rejected' at an interview, you simply weren't liked by the interviewer. Harsh truth.
At one time, I conducted a study among employers, and 50% of them admitted that they had denied a candidate because of a lack of 'soft skills' or overall impression.
Simply put, you are a good specialist, but something went wrong during the meeting. And you know what's most interesting? You could double your chances of success if you started thinking about what you're doing wrong.
Most likely, you were poorly prepared. Yes, that's right. 'Love me as I am' has long been outdated and overall, it only works with your mother.
Preparing for an interview isn't just 'I know my strengths.' It's being confident that you understand what the employer wants. That you are good at doing what needs to be done in that position. That you know not only the company's goals but also those of the specific people you will be working with. Your knowledge of the company, the interviewer, the product, or service - that's already a plus in your favor.
If you think it's enough to just glance at the company information 10 minutes before the interview, I have bad news for you. If you come to an interview and don't know who is sitting in front of you, it's a disaster. Didn't bother to check the interviewer's LinkedIn? Great, they'll notice and won't be impressed by your 'interest' in the job.
Are you sure you understand what the company wants? No, not just the generic words from the job description, but do you really understand the problem they want to solve with your help? If you don't know, then how do you plan to offer a solution?
And how do you find out? Ask, show interest, genuinely want to understand the real task the company wants to solve with your arrival.
And don't forget about appearance. 'Clothes make the man' is not just an empty phrase. If you think you can go to an interview as if you're meeting friends at a bar, again – that's a misstep. Your attire should reflect respect for the company and those who are interviewing you.
Even if it's an online meeting. Especially if it's an online meeting because you need to think not only about your appearance but also about the background, sound, etc.
And most importantly - confidence. But don't confuse it with arrogance. Confidence is when you calmly and clearly answer questions, showing your experience and knowledge. Arrogance is when you start lecturing the interviewer on how to run their business. Stick to the first option.
Preparing for an interview is more than just learning a couple of facts about the company. It's understanding, analysis, strategy, and the ability to present yourself so that the employer is confident: 'This person knows what they're doing, and we need them.'