What a great opportunity – a solid role with plenty of room to use my background and experience, as well as to stretch and to grow professionally. Ninety candidates applied, just twelve resumes ultimately considered, and I was one of only four people invited in for a face-to-face interview.

So, pretty good odds, right – 25% chance of landing a wonderful new HR leadership gig, after years of searching. Great organization, 15 minutes from my home, a long-tenured COO, and a group of moral, honest employees. What a wonderful place to be a part of…but, you guessed it.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY, BUT I WAS THE #2 CHOICE! 

I was not the chosen candidate.

Intellectually, I know the COO hired a capable HR professional, who will do a fine job. However, in my heart, I KNOW I am the better choice; the candidate who would have done amazing work, helping the COO and each one of the employees be better and happier at their jobs.

I also understand I am not the only person who lost out on a great new job opportunity. You may know someone, or you may BE that someone. Where does one go from here? For me, it is allowing a day of self-pity, but only one day! Tomorrow, I once again call people who I might be able to help, and who, perhaps, might connect me with someone needing my level of HR expertise.

I ensure my LinkedIn profile, along with other professional job boards, are updated with recent accomplishments. I reach out to a few more Executive Recruiters, and find new opportunities to volunteer my time. I reconnect with former colleagues, and probably even enjoy catching up with them (while I recognize internally, I am calling to see if they know anyone who needs an HR guy).

I will take my dog for a long walk – I find dogs are great listeners.

And for me, one of the hardest things – I will tell my family and close friends I am “still” looking for a job. Don’t forget to include them in your search; you never know who they might know.

Some small words of encouragement – I KNOW I will succeed, and if I can, so can you!

I would love to hear your comments. Email Steve.Lovig@gmail.com or call 404-791-7454.