THE REAL REASON YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE OFFER (EVEN AFTER GREAT INTERVIEWS)

You have been working hard to land those interviews, the few that actually happen these days, and yet… something’s off. 

You make it to round one. Maybe round two. But the offer never comes. 

So what’s going wrong? After years of sitting on both sides of the table, as a corporate recruiter and a job search strategist, I can tell you this:

Most job seekers are focusing on the wrong things. Let’s fix that today.

Here are the 3 things hiring managers truly look for and the real order of importance (which might surprise you).

1. Connection

Most people think connection just means chemistry. But it’s deeper than that. It’s about understanding the hiring manager’s pain point. 

• Why does this role exist?
• What problem are they solving?
• What goal are they chasing - growth, transformation, or stability?

When you tailor your answers to show that you get their world and you have solved similar problems before, you build instant trust.

And trust gets you hired. 

2. Confidence

You can have all the right answers and still lose out if you don’t sound sure of yourself. Hiring managers don’t want superheroes. They want people who believe they can figure things out. 

Confidence says:

“I may not know everything yet, but I know how to learn, connect, and deliver.”

It’s about showing evidence of how you have handled new challenges, new teams, and new goals. Confidence reassures them that they won’t have to handhold you.

3. Competence

Yes, it matters but not as much as you think. If you meet 60–80% of the requirements, that’s your sweet spot. Less than that, you might not be ready.

More than that, you are overqualified, and they worry you’ll get bored. 

Competence gets you to the table. Connection and confidence keep you there. 

Most people get this order wrong.

They think it’s: Competence → Confidence → Connection. But in reality, it’s Connection → Confidence → Competence.

Flip that order, and your interviews will flip, too. So the next time you prepare, stop rehearsing robotic answers. Start researching them — their business, their priorities, their growth areas. Because when you show up already understanding their world, the conversation changes.

With confidence and clarity,

Shub (Your Career Growth Partner)