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Yup, happens all the time. It's not always about you. You just can't take it personally, and you have to move on. Some possibilities (every single one of these has happened to me):
1) You didn't do as great as you think you did 2) You did well, but they're looking for something else (maybe something intangible - e.g., I interviewed once for a position in another geography, and although I crushed the technicals, etc. it never went anywhere because they weren't convinced I would relocate long term, despite my telling them that I would) 3) the hiring process slowed down or stalled (e.g., team got busy with other stuff / it's August or Christmas) 4) they decided not to hire anyone after all (e.g., an internal re-organization or budget cuts out of their control) 5) you're on a waitlist 6) they hired the founder's cousin's son or something, instead of the most qualified applicant
Don't worry about it and just move on (I know it's easier said than done). If nothing else, you met some new people, made a good impression, and learned from the interview process...practice never hurts.
Probably were qualified but lost out to someone showing something more specific or slightly new that really isn't necessary for the job.
A lot of places/people want chemistry that goes beyond the usual "yeah, he's a smart kid". Remember, these people are hiring someone that they have to deal with over the next couple years at least.
You’re getting good advice above and I agree with it. I’ll also add that some companies are just plan fuck ups. They haven’t come back to you because they can’t reach a consensus. Happens all the time and that’s not the type of company you should want to work for.
Yep, happened a bunch during my junior year recruiting. One firm I had a super day with that went super well dinged me (wasn't really something I wanted to do and fortunately ended up getting an offer that is pretty spot on for what I wanted to do), but I asked him if he could critique me.
Basically, he said my interview went really well, I have great work experience (did IB and PE internships), but as they were only taking one intern, the kid who got the offer not only had work experience that was more applicable to that job, but his parents were big in the industry too. There's just a lot of shit out of your control.
Yeah, that happens. Could be one of those things where you were a good fit but there happened to be another applicant who had all the right prior experience, etc.
It's funny what actually happened, I keep going back and forth, so here it is:
Had a phone interview with a BB for a research position. My resume and skills lined up extremely well, almost verbatim. Call was scheduled for a Friday at 12 (first interview, scheduled for 1/2 hour) with the head of the department. She was calling from London. She called me at 12:05, and she started to discuss the department and detailed what everyone on her team did and their names. Three times she mentioned that my skills were extremely similar to the person who had the role prior. We ran through my resume, had a good back and forth questioning. She asked me to send her some of my writing samples, and I did. Interviewed ended at 12:20.
That was two weeks ago, haven't head back. In my head, it's kinda hard to think this was quota or push off interview, but I guess I'm ether out or it takes time.
If it's been past the date they said they'd follow-up, I'd shoot her (or your main contact there) an email. Recruiting and hiring can certainly take time.
Funny thing is—and also pretty weird—I find that when they start out describing what the role is and then ask a couple softball of questions about line items on your resume, I typically feel that it’s an interview that’s going nowhere. Usually, if it’s a fair process, they should have you under the scope a little and force you to answer challenging questions showing an interest in what you bring to the table. If they’re throwing a bunch of token questions out there and doing most of the talking, they’re either not serious about you or not serious just generally in the process.
Another part of my question, when you don't hear after an interview for a while, do you follow up or do you let it go?
If I have the email of the person who interviewed me and if it’s a place that’s small fund or something and I interviewed there either by connections/reaching out directly to an analyst/someone working there for an interview or something then I follow up after a week or two. Usually bigger places that have formal applications have HR depts so they will follow up sooner or later
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