Routines

When searching for jobs, you develop routines. When they haven't called back when they said they would, the most likely scenario is, you're not the candidate of choice.
When you apply for a job where they ask for somebody experienced, most of the time it means they are not. When they are surprised I start talking about a strategic plan, you know clearly the other applicants haven't and most likely the interviewer has never thought about it either. In my world that's a red flag :)
But some organizations defy all the rules. No we haven't called you back. Because... well various reasons.... but still you made the cut.
I started today a little sad. It had taken them quite some time to get back to me. So I applied rule nr 1... They are writing a nice no thank you letter. So I called them.
And turned out.. they had another reason it was still in the pipelines... But i got through to the second round. At least I am the second best candidate for the job :)
At this moment I am just curious about my opponent...What did he or she bring to the table to make it this far?
Well at least I know they liked me and thought I was qualified for the job.
And for a change I am "the better candidate"... Celebrating now :)