to think that if two people apply for a job...

[domesticsluttery]

... who both have the same experience but one is qualified to do the job whereas the other one isn't, then the person with the qualifications should get the job?

Am a bit

Depends on the job. If Brain Surgeon, YANBU.

Seems a bit odd but maybe the qualifications were desirable but not essential. Have you asked for feedback?

Not necessarily, there might be aspects such as the balance with the existing team (personalities etc.) Although that is tough.

i think the person they feel would do the job best should be offered it, regardless of qualifications actually.

Totally depends. eg in a small close team personality is also a consideration, sometimes references might swing it, all sorts of other things to consider. Assuming not a neurosurgery post obviously.

depends.

You can have all the qualifications in the world but not be the right person for the job.

Perhaps the person without the qualifications had something else that made them more suitable for the job.

Am assuming both were equally nice people of course.

And no BO issues.

Asked for feedback but wasn't really given very much, just that it was "very close".

What did the job spec say? Are quals desirable or required?

I think personality was the main consideration, we both already work in the place where the new job was (although I have worked there for longer). I have a feeling that the interview panel may have been a little cliquey.

Or maybe its just sour grapes on my part.

What others have said - the other person might have just been a better "fit" for the job.

Would you believe this - I got one job over another candidate, similar quals & experience, pretty much because he was a black man and one of the women who worked in the place, her 18yo DD had just been raped by a black man, so they didn't want to upset her by introducing a reminder into the workplace. I still can't believe they actually told me that, tbh.

thumbwitch that is appalling!

Hecate I don't think I have BO issues

Sometimes it is down to the examples that you give to demonstrate performance. A typical question might be asking how you have resolved conflict in the workplace. If you waffle on about "we did this..." and didn't put yourself forward enough that can be a non starter.

thumbwitch That's soo wrong!

OP i really do believe that when it's that close, it always just boils down to who the interviewer likes best, no matter how professional the interviewer is. We're all human.

It may be just that I'm crap at interviews. I bloody hate them, and get stupidly nervous and all of the examples which I have prepared in advance fly out of my head.

I just feel like I'm never going to get anywhere.

I've had two interviews in less than a month, one at another place and this one where I already work, and have been turned down for both. Both times it has been "very close" but the feedback hasn't really told me anything.

Have just sent off an application for yet another job so need to sort out what I'm doing wrong.

The best tip I have for interviews is to get lots of practice. Rehearse the responses and visualize as much as you can, a positive outcome. Only give examples in the first person I.e. When I did xyz. I led a team, I made this change.
If they ask about conflict or mistakes think about positive examples, nothing that puts you in a bad light. For example don't muse about the time you messed up the payroll and sent everyones wages to The French branch . perhaps spin that to explain how that mysterious situation was fixed by you! Apply for a variety of jobs and go to every interview turning down roles you know are not for you. Get a temp job in the meantime, because for some reason it's easier to find a job when you have one already! Good luck!!!

Thanks flingingflangin.

I have already got a job, I've been there for 6 years and although I enjoy it I've got itchy feet and I don't feel that I'm using my qualifications as well as I could.

I know a lot of people are in a worse position, especially at the moment, and don't have a job at all. I realise I'm probably sounding a bit selfish to someone in that position.

I think lack of interview practice is the problem. As I say, I have been in this job for 6 years. It was the only job that I applied for at the time and I got it straight away. In fact the two jobs which I had before that, so every job I have had since leaving uni, I have got straight away without being turned down at interviews.

I think I've just come down to earth with a bump :(

Unfortunately, personal preference always features when choosing a candidate.

The interview technique I was shown:

S - Strengths (and examples)
W - Weaknesses - and the ways you have dealt with them
O - Opportunities you see in new job
T - What you expect to find hard and how cope with it

The favourite - where do you see yourself in 5 yrs time

Good luck - hope something comes up for you!

Right now I see myself still being turned down after interviews in 5 yrs time :(

Never mind, I have wine.

You won't. Another thought is that if you applied internally your employer may think you do a good job in your current role why move you and have the headache of recruiting for your position. Also sometimes change is good. But sometimes the grass is not greener. If you need challenge or change speak to the HR people or your manager and ask for a project. Might invigorate you and show them your potential.

"I've had two interviews in less than a month," well done, it's good to get to this stage. Keep going, you might even land a job that you'll think back to the interview and say "how did that happen?" IME they aren't that "scientific", luck and whatever have a lot to do with it.