HR professionals - if you were told this at your 2nd interview

[SF1258]

Went for a role that on paper I don't exactly have the experience for, however have generally done siimilar activities as part of my current role. The role I was interviewed for is a new position within the company (not my current company) it was the 2nd interview.

"We are still undecided if you are the right fit for this role, although you are a great fit for the organisation, we will see a few other candidates. Keep talking to us"

HR professionals, in your experience, Is that a nice way of saying that you don't have the job or is there still a chance?

Thinking of sending an email to further explain (and try to convince them ) why I absolutely could do the job, would that be viewed negatively.

I'm not in HR but have recruited a lot of people for roles over the year and have been in this situation; loved the person, their values and perspective but just not convinced they had the skills.

In this case I'd absolutely write to them - send a brief email, a thank your for their time, followed by one / two para acknowledging that you don't have the exact experience they were looking for but setting out how the experience you do have is relevant.

Then a final paragraph reiterating your values and the fit for their corporate culture.

Good luck!

Oh and I will add that fit is so important. On the few occasions when I've gone for skills over fit it always bites me.

You can train people to do most things - what you want is someone who has a genuine interest in the role and the potential to learn and grow.

I think they mean that they like you but don't think you are sufficiently experienced for this role. they would take you like a shot for a more junior role but probably not this one. If another candidate fits all their criteria then that person will get the job. if they complete the interviews and don't have the right person, they will consider a minor restructure where they reallocate some of the more senior functions of this job up to the director, to downgrade this pay to a more junior role l and will offer you that (with lower salary) along with the promise of on-the-job preparation for perhaps taking on the full original role in 2-3 years.

@PegasusReturns, thank you for the reply! I will send an email. I really would love the role and to work for the organisation and could absolutely do the job. The person who put me up for the job was my previous boss who now works for this company and who knows I could totally do the job, which is why I was head hunted for it. My ex-boss is in a very senior position and is held in very high regard with the head of the department where the role is available. The thing is, they know my current role and have my CV, so would know I don't have direct experience in it. The first interview was extremely positive, it was one on one and with several directors including the HR director. I really thought it was in the bag, so did my ex-boss. 2nd interview was a longer one on one with the boss of that department, who I had already met for a short one on one, and then a group meeting with everyone I had already met. I am beginning to think I am out of the picture. Gutted.

@SoxiFodoujUmed thank you. It's not the kind of job where they want someone to grow into it or be developed into it, they want someone to do it now. It would be similar level to my current job, just a different field, I think if I was being interviewed for a role in my current field at my level, they would be offering me the job. I know I could absolutely do it and would love it, it's an area I really want to do but opportunities are not coming up in my current organisation.

Quick update, job offer came through, the original position has been put 'on hold' until mid year. The job offer I got is in my current field, same level as the first one, but not as exciting. I have signed the dotted line, very happy to join the organisation, I really believed I was out of the picture.

Wow, well done 🥳🥳