Whether we are employed or not there are some days that are good, and some days that are bad. This was not turning out to be one of my better days. My network was silent for the third day this week and I was just about to give up my search for the day when the phone rang. It was a headhunter, who had arranged an interview with a company that was very similar to the one I used to work for. I remember feeling very comfortable as several top managers each spent an hour discussing my credentials. Three weeks prior, I had completed my third interview with this company. After I completed the interview, my headhunter called me and congratulated me on a job well done. “You are the top candidate for this position,” she happily chimed. “I just got a call from Human Resources and they told me that it is most likely that you will get an offer next week!” One week turned into two, and I called my headhunter, asking why I had not received an offer. “Do not worry,” the headhunter seemed very self assured. “For all practical purposes, you can stop your job search. The only reason why you have not received an offer is because top management had a meeting with HR. Top management told the Human Resources manager that, due to the high unemployment rate, I expect your department to produce at least four candidates before we make a choice. We have only provided three candidates so far, and you are the top choice. We just have not found another person who can compete with your record.”

Experience has taught me to have a healthy skepticism about headhunters. In the past they have helped me find some great positions, however when the job market quiets down, they tend to disappear, and you end up feeling forgotten. As a result, I always make sure to call headhunters I work with at least once a week. However I have never had a headhunter tell me that I could end my search, unless they also had an offer. So when the phone rang, I was sure that an offer was forthcoming. “Howard, I am sorry to inform you that my client has decided to choose another candidate.”

The words stung in my mind. It was like someone had taken a dagger to my throat…

I struggled to retain my professionalism and took a few seconds to regain my composure. The headhunter went on to say that there was nothing wrong with my presentation and there was no problem with the background check. “It was just that when the interviewed the fourth candidate, they liked that person and it was a tough decision, but that candidate just edged you out of the picture.” I did not let the headhunter off the hook that easily, I asked my usual questions about what were the deciding factors and what I could have done to improve my odds. The headhunter could not give me a decisive answer. “There was nothing concrete that I can tell you,” the headhunter continued. As I stated before, there was nothing wrong with you qualifications or your presentation. Sometimes it is just a matter of preference and it just did not work out for you. I am sorry but I assure you that if any other opportunities arise, I will contact you.”

I hung up the phone. A number of emotions channeled through me. The first was anger. I could not believe that someone would tell me to stop my search because they were so sure they would get an offer. The next emotion that went through me was fear. “What was I doing wrong? What could I have done to put the odds in my favor? This position was just a short drive from home and if I wanted to, I could even go home for lunch! What could have made them choose another candidate?” The final emotion that ran through me was a strange sense of relief. I was glad that I did not listen to the headhunter. I had learned never to stop a job search just because of the perception that an offer was forthcoming.

I called my wife at work, and she reassured me that this was just a “road bump” and I did the right thing by continuing my job search in spite of the headhunter’s advice. I then e-mailed one of my former co-workers. I was surprised to get an immediate response, basically saying that “It is that company’s loss, not yours! You will find a better place to work. I am sure of it.”

Ladies and Gents, the moral to this situation is, as long are you are in job search mode, do not give up the hunt just because someone tells you that you are the top candidate for a position. It is sad, but too many times we are reminded that we live in a predatory environment. Would a lion stop hunting for food just because his next meal was cornered?

Here is another analogy. Imagine we are in the desert and we see what looks like a huge lake in the middle of an environment surrounded by sand. The perception that an offer was just around the corner could just be another mirage; we should not stop looking for water just because it looks like there is a lake in the middle of the desert.

In the predatory environment that we now refer to as job search, I wish you all good hunting!

-By Howard K. Young, Contributing Writer & Member of The 405 Club.

View all of Howard’s posts here.