Reddit Experience · 2026 Q1

Tired Of Interviews Going Well Only to Lose to Experience

83 upvotes 43 replies

Interview Experience

I have a solid Resume. Was laid off last year in January. Have had tons of interviews. Always make it to the final one if there are multiples. In the end, always get told I interviewed strong, asked s

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I have a solid Resume. Was laid off last year in January. Have had tons of interviews. Always make it to the final one if there are multiples. In the end, always get told I interviewed strong, asked strong questions, some of which they had never been asked, and if a position opens up, if I apply they will keep me in mind because I made an impression. My interviews typically go an hour over the scheduled time on average. The way I answer questions has the interviewers typically gush and go on for minutes at a time. I'm not complaining. I'm listening. I feel we are gaining raport as my answer related in such a way, they had to go into specifics themselves and get lost in the explanation. I get told I'm a fit. I'm what they are looking for. They talk like I already have the job... And then I get told it was tough, competitive, but they went with the person with more specific role experience. I'm applying for entry level positions. I know I'm over qualified considering the work I was doing in my previous job, but that doesn't bother me. What bothers me is I feel hurt from being treated like I'm already going to be working there, and that my experience wouldn't translate well. The interviewers laugh, are all smiles, I tell few jokes, if any, I answer my questions thoroughly, and ask if they need more clarity, and then when it comes time to ask my questions, I only have a few that are focused on the company and interviewers. I keep getting great feedback. Saying Its not the interview and to not focus on that. But it's so hard not to. Because if I did the interview right, wouldn't I be in the position and not someone else? My experience got me the interview. And in the end... Here I am... I guess I'm just venting, or looking for tips. Is it really out of my control? Is there truly nothing I can do at this stage? UPDATE:I followed up with the interviewers. They Confirmed It was between me and one other, after whittling it down from 10. In the end, they went with someone who had experience in the medical field, though they felt my interview was "perfect" and told me my name is at the top of their files. That I was professional, self aware, and even the fact I called to ask for feedback, was a testament to my character etc. I have the qualities, it just sucks no matter how many times I say I learn swiftly, can adapt and apply new principles, despite not having the specific area of experience, it always boils down into the specifics.
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