RSP Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Hi Guys, I would have a rant but i haveactually been doing that for the last 2 hours so i thought i'd be a bit more rational. After four interviews i got turned down for a job at the final stage for being 'too prepared'. This despite always being interviewed first and having the role changed half way through. Does anybody know what the hell 'too prepared' means ? What rubbish reasons have you had for not getting a job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Hi Guys,I would have a rant but i haveactually been doing that for the last 2 hours so i thought i'd be a bit more rational. After four interviews i got turned down for a job at the final stage for being 'too prepared'. This despite always being interviewed first and having the role changed half way through. Does anybody know what the hell 'too prepared' means ? What rubbish reasons have you had for not getting a job? What a crock of %$&*W. Did the interview involve tests, specifically psychometric tests? I think that sometimes you can be over prepared for them, but I've never heard of being over prepared for anything else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixy Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 What a lame reason! Did the job go internally by any chance? If that was the only reason they could give you then you probably did well and they'd already decided who they wanted before the interview! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSP Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share Posted May 25, 2007 No tests, just four interviews with Line managers (x2), HR and the Group CFO. Onwards and upwards and all that but its still disapointing when you don't get constructive crticism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Maybe by too prepared they mean that you answered all they're questions just a little too well, maybe like you had the questions before the interview, meaning you were able to roll out text book answers making you sound a little contrived. Or maybe they are just a shitty company that couldn't find any other reason to not employ you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl114 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Too prepaired means that you answered the questions right, but failed to put your own personality into it, so you didnt show them who you were at all. Thats my theory anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedrush Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Too prepaired means that you answered the questions right, but failed to put your own personality into it, so you didnt show them who you were at all. Thats my theory anyway +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSP Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share Posted May 25, 2007 That is actually very helpful, thanks. I always want to take something away from these kind of circumstances. Just wish they would phrase it as such. Too prepaired means that you answered the questions right, but failed to put your own personality into it, so you didnt show them who you were at all. Thats my theory anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alscar Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 I have to agree with the above.. Sounds like you know your stuff, you just need to sound a little less staged.. Have a little more charisma come into it. Having said that, it may just be that you have been unlucky and someone a little better qualified pipped you to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Too prepaired means that you answered the questions right, but failed to put your own personality into it, so you didnt show them who you were at all. Thats my theory anyway Agree, it's more important to an employer that you can demonstrate initiative and the ability to think on your feet. It's sounds like they thought you had rehearsed your answers and just repeated stuff verbatim. You genereally don't get given a reason why you were not chosen, so this may be their idea of "constructive criticism". Good luck with the job hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixy Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 any decent company should offer you the opportunity for feedback anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350Znismo Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 'too prepared' Means you are able to demonstrate that you can be a threat to those above, this is a known problem in a hieratical organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 +1 moved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedrush Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 'too prepared' Means you are able to demonstrate that you can be a threat to those above, this is a known problem in a hieratical organization. yeh ive heard of this too, sometimes the interviewer is not always a director of the company and as such sees you as a threat and could show themselves up asbig companies get people in that particular field to do the interviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zzzz... Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 or "too prepared" is that you can cover the job role offered very well, and from the company perspective you are a risk as you are likely to a. get bored with it within a year or so and move on... b. as soon as you prove you can do the job over and above expectation... that you will aspire for a promotion they cannot afford/provide.. therefore in a year or so you'll leave leaving them with another 10k in recruitment fees to get another guy... next year or so... maybe you are a not a cost effective risk... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Too prepaired means that you answered the questions right, but failed to put your own personality into it, so you didnt show them who you were at all. Thats my theory anyway +1 +1 - I've had to give feedback recently to a few saying they were 'too polished' - slick people thinking they can roll out a perfect answer, but shows a lack of initiative and personal thinking and character, which is important for the rest of the team. Practice some personal input on your answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 I once didn't get a job as I was too ambitious! I'd asked the question on a walk around the offices and labs about chances of promotion and the next step. The interviewer said 'my job!' In a year I was living abroad with one of the largest worldwide oilfield sevice companies. I took from the interview the fact I had to raise the bar and aim higher! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.