Wonsulting Weekly Newsletter

A hiring manager once told me something she would never say to a candidate's face.

We were catching up on a Saturday evening, and I asked her how her week had been.

“We'd just wrapped up final rounds for a role,” she said.

“Honestly? Any of them could've done the job. It was tough to decide. We just picked the one I could more easily picture presenting to my boss without flinching.”

“Really?” I said, unable to believe my ears. It was a great reminder that people get hired just because a recruiter or hiring manager likes them.

It brought back way too many memories from my own job search.

I remember making it through multiple rounds, feeling like the interview went well...

And then getting another email with:

“Thank you for your interest, but we've decided to move forward with another candidate.”

Every time, I'd start looking for what was wrong with me and what else to do.

Meanwhile, there’s a simple explanation most job seekers rarely hear:

Sometimes, hiring managers make decisions based on what academics call “similar to me effect,” a theory that says people are more likely to prefer those similar to them.

It could be based on background, communication style, personality, values, or even how someone carries themselves.

We can argue whether this is right from now until December.

But at the end of the day the hiring process is a very human experience and the reality is being qualified isn't always enough.

And it’s happening even more in today’s job market where hundreds of highly qualified candidates are applying for jobs.

And the scariest part?

Nobody teaches you this.

It's not in the job description and most recruiters can't admit it openly.

But it is one of the crucial skills we teach our clients.

When you land an interview, we don't give you generic interview advice.

We coach you around that specific opportunity—the company, the role, and the people you're speaking with.

If you’ve ever landed an interview and couldn't proceed to the next phase or land the offer because they went for a "stronger fit,” let's fix that for your next one.

👉 Apply to work with us

Don't have one lined up yet? Apply anyway. We’ll start by getting you quality ones that fit where you want to go in your career.

Rooting for you,
Jonathan Javier
Co-Founder and CEO, Wonsulting