I spoke with a recent college grad, Greg, from a top school with a major in data analytics. He has gotten interviews and even made it to the 2nd round for multiple companies… but no offer. He is not sure what is missing. I asked him if he received feedback from any interviews on why he was not selected.
He said one employer told him, “I know you said you are interested in working for our company but you sound unsure. If you truly want this role, I would like you to articulate why you want to work for us and how you can support our goals. You don’t sound like you are committed to us.”
Greg did not agree with the feedback. He felt like he would be “faking” it if he said he really wanted to work there. What should he have done?
This question comes up a lot with grads. They are overwhelmed by the search process, unsure of what they truly want, and are afraid to commit to a role that does not seem “exactly” right.
And is it fair for employers to expect a level of commitment before understanding the role?
If a candidate takes the interview, they should show enthusiasm for the role. An interview does not equal a job offer.
The interview process is a mutual discovery between the employer and the candidate. An employer not only wants to assess skills but also ‘fit’ in the organization. They want to believe that a candidate can contribute to solving their problems and help them achieve their goals. Candidates should never lie about credentials or experience, but they should express their desire to work for that company and why they want to do so. Being prepared to sell that commitment will make a candidate stand out.
Once the grad has the offer, then they can assess if it’s a good fit for them through the due diligence of speaking with other employees and diving deeper.
When it comes to enthusiasm, desire, and genuine interest, if they have bothered to take the interview, then they should fake it or “express it” until they make it. They never know who that employer could pass their resume to for their next great opportunity.
If you know a young adult embarking on the job search and looking for guidance on how to support them, please reach out for a Complimentary Consultation.
And we just launched the book: The Next Great Step: The Parents’ Guide to Launching Your Grad into a Career. It’s an Amazon #1 Bestseller. Get it HERE.
