Failed at job interview due to "Low Energy"

Dark_Jester

I was recently interview for a Scientific European Business Development Manager role for one of the biggest Biotech companies in the world. I’m 30 years old and this was my dream job, something that I have been working extremely hard towards for the last few years. I have all the relevant experience and qualifications needed for the role, I am currently employed in a similar role but its just for the UK instead of the whole of Europe.

The interview went well. I answered all their questions and also asked some questions in a positive, enthusiastic and constructive manner. I was confident that I would at least make it to the second round but several weeks after the interview I heard nothing. So I contacted the recruitment consultant who put me up for the role and he informed me that I was not short listed, I asked why and he said that they (1) where impressed with me (2) felt I could do well if offered BUT (3) I came across as having “Low Energy” and no enthusiasm!!! I asked for an exclamation since the feedback did not make sense, he agreed and said he will trace it up but I have not heard anything since.

So has anyone else lost out on a job for having “low energy”? Not sure what to do with this feedback. Should I be more enthusiastic and put on a “happy go lucky” persona during interviews, I would prefer not to since it could come across as annoying. I was cheerfull and professional during the interview, I even made a few jokes which they laughed at! In even come up with ideas on how I can improve their current sales!!! I dont understand how they thought I has no enthusiasm!!? May be they just hated me!! Guess I have one of those faces. Lol

Emmzi

as well as demeanor answers to demonstrate high energy include

- coming up with lots of ideas yourself
- ability to enthuse others
- good to do extra hours when needed (not habitually)
- able to sell ideas and get people excited
- following through and implementing in the face of adversity

sometimes it is a cop out for "we don't think we'd get along" and there's not much you can do about that...

DebtWriteOffMaster

They basically thought you were just a bookish nerd instead of someone whos lively with a vibrant personality

greytroot

Dont get down with their comments anyhow. Most doing interviews have had no training or experience doing them or even a clue as to what the job they are offering consists of. I have usually found feedback to be unconstructive and vague.

Mibbies they wanted you to talk about "partying"!

bigbigmamamoo

In the current economic climate, they probably had lots of qualified applicants. They had to narrow these down to a short-list of say 3 or 4. The fact that you didn't make it on to the short-list just means there were 3 or 4 people they liked better than you. And it may have only been one small minor thing they had over you like slightly more experience. It doesn't mean that they thought there was anything wrong with you.

I'd ask for feedback from current co-workers, see if they think you are too low energy before I tried changing anything. You don't want to put lots of effort into being Mr High-Energy and then come across as forced, unnatural and insincere

jools0001

Ask some friends who you can trust whether you come over as enthusiastic and energetic or not.

If the concensus is that the "low energy" thing doesn't ring true, then it could just be that the employer 'clicked' with another candidate better, and that was the best explanation they could come up with. Or perhaps they already knew who they wanted to employ before the interview process began (e.g. an internal candidate or someone they'd worked with before) but had to go through the motions because of some company policy. It happens, it sucks, but don't take it personally.

If, however, your friends seem kind of vague or reluctant with their answers, then maybe you don't come across as enthusiastic as you mean to. If you think it might hold you back, you could consider some coaching to make sure you present your 'best self' in future.

DVardysShadow

This kind of feedback you do not take to heart. Only if it becomes a consistent feedback theme should you take it seriously. As others have said, the recruiter may be a bit clueless and said it because it sounded good.

TEDDYRUKSPIN

Dark_Jester wrote: »

I was recently interview for a Scientific European Business Development Manager role for one of the biggest Biotech companies in the world. I’m 30 years old and this was my dream job, something that I have been working extremely hard towards for the last few years. I have all the relevant experience and qualifications needed for the role, I am currently employed in a similar role but its just for the UK instead of the whole of Europe.

The interview went well. I answered all their questions and also asked some questions in a positive, enthusiastic and constructive manner. I was confident that I would at least make it to the second round but several weeks after the interview I heard nothing. So I contacted the recruitment consultant who put me up for the role and he informed me that I was not short listed, I asked why and he said that they (1) where impressed with me (2) felt I could do well if offered BUT (3) I came across as having “Low Energy” and no enthusiasm!!! I asked for an exclamation since the feedback did not make sense, he agreed and said he will trace it up but I have not heard anything since.

So has anyone else lost out on a job for having “low energy”? Not sure what to do with this feedback. Should I be more enthusiastic and put on a “happy go lucky” persona during interviews, I would prefer not to since it could come across as annoying. I was cheerfull and professional during the interview, I even made a few jokes which they laughed at! In even come up with ideas on how I can improve their current sales!!! I dont understand how they thought I has no enthusiasm!!? May be they just hated me!! Guess I have one of those faces. Lol

Why don't you think positively? There loss!

Many companies and specifically in this specific role require a good bull-s&@&&£. This role is for people to go out and try negotiate with customers. In simple terms, act like a clown.

Maybe they did not see you as the ideal clown?

The interviewer in this scenario tend to either promote someone within or recruit someone who is doing this job already. In this scenario, it is likely recruiting someone with a portfolio. Unfortunately, for this company - the person they see fit can not take away any competitions customers.

So...............rule of thumb! There loss! You still have job.

bristol_pilot

This sounds like quite a high-powered job and you are only 30. My guess is they thought you were too young, but they can't say that as it is discrimination. Hence make up something suitably vague about interview technique.

Emmzi

bristol, I'd give feedback on that as "light on experience in managing relationships at a strategic level"; "needs more experience in the industry compared to other candidates" or "did not convey confidence and authority required for the role"

Same thing (ish?), didn't mention age at all...

Dark_Jester

Thanks for your feedback.

Just to clarify, although I am disappointed not to get the job I appreciate that there were better candidates up for it as well. My only concern is the feedback, they believe I am capable of doing the job, have all the relevant experience and skills but felt I had "low energy"!!

To me "low energy" implies no motivation. However, in the field that I work in (sales) someone with low energy would not survive!! I have been succesfull within this field since I joined, hit my targets year after year etc if I was a person with "low energy" I would not have made it this far and would have been sacked years ago!

I guess their feedback of "low energy" was a cop out, they just clicked with the other candidates better but did not have the balls to say that so came up with something silly and not very constructive!