Winning a Job Requires More Than Merit

Winning a job at the finalist interview level has little to do with merit or experience. Endeavor realizes this flies in the face of conventional wisdom. But, take a moment and think about it.


For a professional- or executive-level job, the employer will likely receive between 300-500 applications if the position is advertised publicly on job search websites. Many of the very best qualified and most experienced applicants will be rejected by the ATS software used by the employer simply because of a formatting error with their resume, or omission on the application.


A brief phone screen interview will be the first step. But only 20-30 candidates at most will make it to this step. The majority of these candidates didn’t go through the application portal. Someone on the inside of the company that the applicant knows professionally through networking delivered the applicant’s resume. All of these candidates meet the basic qualifications.


Only five of these 20-30 will be invited for on-site interviews. At this point, every candidate is well qualified. Being the most qualified helps you get into the process. However, the decision after that is based on your ability to communicate your value during the interview and also your likability. They have no way of seeing you do the job during an interview.


Winning a job in the C-suite or the director’s level takes much more than just merit and experience. Mastering the art of interviewing will put you head and shoulders about the other finalists and give you the career advantage.

Follow Endeavor on  Facebook  |  LinkedIn

About Endeavor Agency


Endeavor Agency is the nation’s leading company helping individual executives, VPs, senior managers, professionals, and physicians find the jobs they truly want. Our additional resources, expertise, and career change specialists help our clients uncover more and better job opportunities than what they could access on their own.


Endeavor Agency helps rebrand clients to effectively communicate their value throughout the interview process and increase their odds dramatically of winning offers. Additionally, Endeavor Agency helps clients achieve better results in negotiating the terms of their employment agreements.


Endeavor Agency also provides executive coachingoutplacement services, and business consulting services. Endeavor can also help guide executives focused on the private equity and venture capital market segments.

person handing their resume to someone siting at a reception desk
By Cord Harper December 3, 2025
Hand-delivering Your Resume Can Set You Apart From Online Applicants. Learn When This Strategy Works, How to Do It Well, and Why It Helps You Stand Out.
woman mailing resume and cover letter in big brown envelope
By Cord Harper November 26, 2025
Learn why mailing your résumé still works for executives. Cut through ATS filters, stand out to hiring leaders, and use a proven strategy that gets noticed.
small wood blocks that have
By Cord Harper November 24, 2025
Use This 4-Step Path to Help You Set Career Goals You Want to Accomplish in the New Year.
image of St. Louis cityscapre at dusk
By Cord Harper November 20, 2025
Outplacement for small business: Midwest-focused outplacement that delivers personalized, cost-effective career transition services tailored to local markets.
By Cord Harper November 18, 2025
Learn how executives can network effectively at charity events, build authentic connections, and uncover hidden job opportunities with Endeavor’s expert guidance.
Members of a professional organization meeting at its monthly networking event.
By Cord Harper October 23, 2025
Discover How Executives Can Leverage Membership in Professional Organizations to Expand Their Network, Enhance Credibility, and Advance Their Careers.
man in suit holding a pen; the man is sitting at a table
By Cord Harper October 13, 2025
Terminating an employee is one of the hardest tasks a business owner or HR leader faces. How this is done can benefit or hurt your team. Click/tap for more insight.
small business owners meeting with outplacement services specialist
October 1, 2025
For small and mid-sized businesses, every employee matters. Learn why leaders delay tough decisions and how outplacement support helps teams move forward smoothly.
Workout coach helping client. Endeavor Agency helps our clients with career coaching for success.
July 17, 2025
Many People May Want a New Job, But Will They Put In The Time Needed to Achieve That Goal? Click/tap For Endeavor's Recommended Daily Amount of Time We Believe You Need For a Successful Job Search.
Shaking hands after completing an outplacement services agreement to help displaced employees.
June 16, 2025
Outplacement Services Support Displaced Employees in Their Transition to a New Job or Career Pivot. Click/tap for Six Reasons Businesses Should Utilize an Outplacement Firm.
More Posts