I had a similar experience with a large tech co. Applied to a Staff role and on a single, open-ended question they decided I was more of a Director whereas they were currently looking for an IC.
This company gives interview feedback so it was clear to me where I went wrong and how taking my answer in a direction that highlighted craft instead of leadership would have gotten me the role.
I’m still a bit baffled given the number of rounds, the rapport with at least three of the four interviewers, and the likelihood that I simply finished second place (we can’t all come in first) BUT they told me I can’t apply again for six months — even if it’s a management role instead of an IC role I’m blacklisted.
Apparently rather than this being a case of “right candidate, wrong role” or “sorry but not this time” I need to go better myself and “growth takes time“.
Sure I can look at as a bullet dodged, but frankly I really wanted it and if they were to miraculously offer me something tomorrow I’d take it.
I just don’t see how this policy is good for the company — other than keeping a few crazies at bay, the false negative cost must be extra high for them. If anyone has any insight into this line of thinking, I’d be super curious to hear it.
If it’s a company that gets a ton of qualified applicants, it could just be managing applicant flow. You obviously passed the first few screens, the interviewers scored you as “eligible to re-apply”, and just do that in 6 months.
Some companies get so much inbound flow that they can choose between interviewing X again or interviewing X+5000 for a new role. They choose to ensure they look at some fresh candidates by pausing some candidates for a few months.
This company gives interview feedback so it was clear to me where I went wrong and how taking my answer in a direction that highlighted craft instead of leadership would have gotten me the role.
I’m still a bit baffled given the number of rounds, the rapport with at least three of the four interviewers, and the likelihood that I simply finished second place (we can’t all come in first) BUT they told me I can’t apply again for six months — even if it’s a management role instead of an IC role I’m blacklisted.
Apparently rather than this being a case of “right candidate, wrong role” or “sorry but not this time” I need to go better myself and “growth takes time“.
Sure I can look at as a bullet dodged, but frankly I really wanted it and if they were to miraculously offer me something tomorrow I’d take it.
I just don’t see how this policy is good for the company — other than keeping a few crazies at bay, the false negative cost must be extra high for them. If anyone has any insight into this line of thinking, I’d be super curious to hear it.