Why You're Not Getting Hired (And How to Fix It)
I just had one of those tough but necessary conversations with a client that reminded me why so many talented people are struggling in today's job market. After her mock interview, she asked me this simple question: "Would you hire me?"
My answer? "No."
You Were the Nice to Have Candidate
Look, I know that sounds harsh, but here's the thing – my job is to help you get hired, which means I have to be brutally honest. When I told her she was the "nice to have" candidate instead of the "must-have" candidate, she was shocked. But this is exactly what's happening in interviews across the country right now.
The nice-to-have candidate works incredibly hard to give all the right answers. They're pleasant, kind, and they showcase their features perfectly. They rattle off their qualifications like they're reading from a perfectly crafted resume. Sound familiar?
Here's the problem: that approach isn't going to get you hired in this market.
The ChatGPT Problem Is Real
We're dealing with something unprecedented right now. Everyone's using AI to create resumes that all look exactly the same. Hiring managers are drowning in a sea of identical-sounding candidates who all claim to be "detail-oriented team players with excellent communication skills."
That's exactly why interviews have become more critical than ever. They're the only way employers can figure out who's actually the must-have candidate versus just another nice to have.
The Must-Have Candidate Formula
So what makes someone must-have? It's simple: you need to show them how you will save them money, make them money, solve their problems, or alleviate their pain.
You need to be the aspirin, not just another supplement they might take if they remember.
When I explained this concept to my client, we went through her interview answers question by question. Every single time, I could show her where she gave the generic answer instead of proving she would take something off the interviewer's plate, make their work better, or solve a real problem they were facing.
The moment she understood this shift, everything clicked. She could suddenly see the difference between generic responses and value-driven answers.
Your UVA: The Game-Changer You've Never Heard Of
Here's what I've learned in my 20 years as a career coach: most people have never been taught how to identify and communicate their UVA – their Unique Value Add.
Your UVA isn't just a list of your skills and experience. It's the specific benefit of choosing you over other candidates. It's the value you provide, the problems you solve, and the pain you alleviate.
Think about it like marketing (because that's exactly what interviewing is). Products have features, and they have benefits. People don't buy features – they buy benefits. They buy the way a product will make them feel.
The Eight Workplace Personas That Unlock Your Value
Over the years, I've identified eight distinct workplace personas that, when combined, create your unique value add. Most successful candidates have three dominant personas that work together to make them irresistible to employers.
The key is knowing which ones are yours and how to leverage them effectively in your interview answers. When you can craft responses that highlight these personas, something magical happens. The interviewer stops seeing you as just another candidate and starts seeing you as the solution to their problems.
Stop Thinking You Nailed It When You Didn't
Here's what breaks my heart: candidates like my client walk out of interviews thinking they did a stellar job, only to get rejected. They weren't bad candidates – they just positioned themselves as nice to have instead of must-have.
In one of the most competitive job markets in history, being nice to have simply isn't enough anymore.
Ready to Become the Must-Have Candidate?
If you're tired of being the nice to have candidate and want to discover your UVA, I've got something special for you. I've created a comprehensive quiz that identifies your top three workplace personas, plus a detailed three-page report that shows you exactly how to leverage them.
Normally, this UVA report costs $149, but I want to help you succeed. When you join our Work It DAILY membership for just $39 a month, you'll get the UVA quiz and full report absolutely free. You can cancel anytime, but the report is yours to keep forever.
Head over to workitdaily.com right now and sign up for our special membership. Let my team and me work with you for a month to help you nail your interviews and finally get the job you deserve.
Stop being nice to have. It's time to become must-have.
Go get ‘em!
J.T. O’Donnell
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