Hello, I wanted to share my story. About ten days ago, I was interviewed for a position I am genuinely interested in. The Principal’s body language was positive since the beginning of the interview, and the department chair, who I met at the job fair, seemed engaged. However, the AP’s body language was negative. She was listening but very much looked at me even once. When I left, I was confident that the interview went but I had a feeling that AP never wanted to interview me. After my interview, I sent a thank you email and a thank you letter to everyone. However, I only received the Principal’s prompt reply to my thank you email- it was great to meet you. I thought things were progressing in the right direction. But yesterday, I received a response that they are moving in a different route, and all the best. I asked for feedback, and the principal responded within 5 minutes that I had a very good interview, but unfortunately, they are looking for more experienced candidates. I student taught in the same district, and so trying to come back. The Principal and AP from the school I student taught both completed a reference form for me. What did I do wrong? They must be aware of my experience before conducting the interview. Why I was rejected after a great interview. Position is still open and no candidate is selected yet but I got rejected. Has it ever happened to anyone here?
You may have done nothing wrong. You probably did great and there just happened to be someone that the principal and AP thought was a tiny bit better. They often can't hire every good candidate and everyone who interviewed well. Your statement might be the answer. I asked for feedback, and the principal responded within 5 minutes that I had a very good interview, but unfortunately, they are looking for more experienced candidates.
I totally agree. You've done nothing wrong otherwise you wouldn't have received a prompt reply saying it all went very well. They might be looking for some very special detail in a candidate and not tell that to the candidates. Or sometimes it's just the chemistry that just doesn't fit for someone, really nothing personal against you but still enough to reject a very good candidate. If they have lots of very good candidates to choose from this might be it. Don't wast any energy on that interview anymore and move on. You now know that you can have very good interviews... use it for opportunities to come. All the best for you!!
It’s completely possible to have a fantastic interview and just have it not be a fit. Like your feedback, it sounds like you were a great candidate but not as experienced as they want. and sometimes nothing is wrong, it’s just a vibe. I had an amazing zoom interview over the summer; the principal seemed great, we had the same mindset on a lot of things, I was super sold on the job… until I saw the school and met her in person. The vibe was just off and I ended up praying she WOULDN’T offer me the job. Nothing changed, it just didn’t feel right anymore. The next one was perfect and I got an offer on the spot, and I love my school now. It’ll happen, just gotta do lots of interviews to find the one that’s a good fit.
I've had several very good interviews not result in a job offer for various reasons- some valid, some not. The neighboring district to the one I attended as a child tried to hire me twice. The first time, for a part-time position, I got trumped by a retired teacher with a masters who applied after I interviewed. The second time, they wanted me, but ended up not hiring anyone because the board forced them to consolidate positions. With another one, it was my college advisor who threw me under the bus. I lost a position to a classmate after he favored her. So they hired me-lite, who barely made it through the year and left for a richer, easier, district. At yet another, the archdiocese refused to let them hire a non-catholic, so the positions went empty because no qualified catholic person applied. My point is that it happens for a lot of reasons and it's not worth getting stuck on, but it can be worth finding out why. In your case, they said experience. It happens. Think twice about taking a position if you know you're the second choice or a desperation hire. I made that mistake once, knowing it was a mistake. Admin made it uncomfortably clear I was the second choice and *not* who she wanted. Desperation hires can sometimes work out though, if you're confident that you can excel in that setting.
Yes, I agree with all of that! You don't know if that grumpy interviewer had someone in mind for the position and was angry that they were even interviewing people instead of taking her suggestion. Hang in there!!
Thanks to each one of you for sharing your thoughts. I took the advice and no more think about it anymore. It happens! I had a great interview and I just need to keep trying. thank you!
