pete48 wrote:Lexy, first I would put all thoughts that your hearing impairment had anything to do with the decision out of your mind. Unless they are totally unprofessional it just would not happen. If they had any concerns they would have explored them with you during interview.
Second, whilst I can feel your disappointment I would say to you that all the feedback means is that one of the other candidates had a closer overall match.
It was probably incredibly close (it usually is when you get to the final round) and the significant matter for them in choosing someone else was your lack of direct working with senior staff/Directors of the level or characters that they have.
This is not a criticism of you as a person or your obvious skills; you were just unfortunate on this occasion that someone else matched better.
Take the positives, accept the reality that you do not have that experience and stay aware of it when you attend your next interview so that you can discuss it if relevant.
Good luck and remember that it was your c.v. that got you the interview. That means you were worth seeing.
Pete48, unfortunately in my own experience, my hearing impairment has indeed caused issues with potential employers throughout my career, hence why I dont mention it on my CV, rightly as you say my CV got me the interview, and without being boastful, I know I am worth seeing, as I have worked pretty damn well hard to achieve my successes in my career to date. There have been a number of interviewers who have made it pretty obvious they were disappointed in interviewing a candidate with a hearing impairment. Their loss not mine!
Have had plenty experience in working with Senior Management/Directors in influencing their attitudes towards QHSE issues. I do appreciate that someone else may be a right fit for the role, perhaps we will never really know the real reason, whilst I had brief verbal feedback (via telephone), I was promised detailed feedback in writing 2 weeks ago, and I'm still waiting! Dont think this is going to happen, so this just emphasises my own suspicions as to the reasons for rejection.
Its just a fact of life, that you get to the final run in, and run out of steam across the finish line.
I do take pride in the fact I was shortlisted, but the concept reasoning of "Managing Managers" is one I am still struggling to grasp. As any good QHSE practitioner will say its all about managing upwards as well as downwards!
Perhaps this particular opportunity was not the right role for me, I am big enough to take it on the chin and move on! The right role is out there!
For all the other comments, there has been some good feedback, and certainly, I have taken this on board.
Thanks for your support guys!
Alex
PS just taken a call regarding an opportunity that is, and will be more up my street, watch this space!