The ‘Small Decisions’ That Cost Candidates Job Interviews, According to Shub Faujdar

In a recent LinkedIn post, Shub Faujdar discusses often-overlooked tactical advice that can significantly impact a candidate’s success in job interviews. Faujdar argues that many candidates falter not due to a lack of capability, but because of minor strategic choices that are rarely explicitly taught.

The post highlights that despite the focus on answering complex questions, it’s the seemingly trivial details that can make or break an application. Faujdar states:

“Most people don’t lose interviews because they lack capability. They lose them because of small decisions nobody ever told them about.”

Faujdar, who receives numerous interview-related questions from clients, job seekers, and newsletter readers, points out that these are often the ‘tactical ones people feel almost embarrassed to ask.’ These include queries about the optimal length of answers, whether taking notes is advisable, and how to choose among multiple interview slots.

The Strategic Importance of Scheduling

One of the most surprising pieces of advice Faujdar shares, and one that often catches people off guard, relates to scheduling interview slots. According to Faujdar, when presented with options, candidates should always opt for the earliest available time.

Why Early Slots Matter

Shub Faujdar explains that companies do not always wait for all candidates to complete their interviews before advancing the hiring process. Stronger candidates are often moved through the stages more rapidly. Faujdar shared an anecdote illustrating this point:

“I have seen people lose roles simply because they scheduled themselves two weeks later than necessary.”

This highlights a critical, yet often unstated, aspect of interview strategy. As Faujdar notes, the perceived delay in scheduling can lead to a candidate being overlooked, even if their qualifications are strong.

Beyond Perfect Answers: The Power of Execution

The core message from Faujdar’s post is that interview success hinges on more than just delivering flawless responses. It’s about the consistent and effective execution of numerous small, strategic actions throughout the hiring process.

The ‘Always Be Career-ing’ Philosophy

Faujdar encapsulates this approach with the mantra, “Always Be Career-ing.” This philosophy emphasizes proactive and detail-oriented engagement in one’s career development. The author stresses that these seemingly minor details hold more weight than many job seekers realize.

“Interview success is not about perfect answers. It’s about doing a lot of small things well.”

By sharing these insights, Shub Faujdar aims to equip job seekers with the practical knowledge needed to navigate the interview process more effectively, underscoring the significant impact of seemingly minor strategic decisions.