Jobs in the UAE: How to use your failure as a tool to get hired

The interviewing process is the time when your potential employer would be interested in finding out what all you have accomplished in previous jobs as well as what all you have failed at. Many candidates hide their previous job failures, fearing rejection. Can acknowledging previous job failures portray you as an incompetent candidate, not fit enough to join the company you are being interviewed for?

The answer may not be a simple ‘yes’ and would be evaluated in the wider context, believe experts.

“It depends on the context. If someone can demonstrate they have put in their 100 per cent and the effort invested is clear to see, then perhaps, once could overlook the fact that the person failed in a task or a role,” Hasnain Qazi, Middle East Business Manager at Huxley Associates told Emirates 24|7.

Konstantina Sakellariou, Partner, Marketing & Operations Director at Stanton Chase believes that failures are a part of life and there is no individual who hasn’t failed. In fact, failure is an integral part of the learning process, which makes an individual a more mature and aware person.

“We all have had failures in our careers. If we expect someone to have no failures at all, we would probably push the candidate to lie.  Failures are not necessarily bad, as the executive is accumulating experience that will be useful in the future.  So, my decision would not be based on the existence or not of a failure but on the lessons learnt that have been gotten out of this.  If I see the candidate more mature, and ready to face in a more efficient way a similar situation, then the past failure can even be considered an advantage,” she explained.

Agrees Toby Simpson, Managing Director, The Gulf Recruitment Group: “We all learn from defeat and we find that individuals who have tasted that bitter pill once or twice, whether it be academically or professionally, tend to have a bit more fight in them. Some people don’t learn and become demoralized or blame anything but themselves for their failings. People who chose to learn have a determination, a battle with their own sense of pride and apply themselves to never let it happen again.”

According to Suhail Masri, VP Sales, Bayt.com, there are many other factors that will determine whether a candidate will be selected for a job or not and previous failures do not figure on top of the list.

“While work experience and previous success is important, it seems that employers now focus more on ambition and skills than anything else when making a hiring decision. [Our] hiring practices poll for the MENA shows that 28.8 per cent of employers in the Middle East look for ‘hunger, drive and ambition’ as the most important factors when making a hiring decision. Meanwhile, career track record is the least important. In fact, most employers (67.2 per cent) will consider hiring a candidate who has relevant skills but no direct experience in the company’s field. Plus, honesty is commendable. Discussions with candidates on what their shortcomings are and how they can be improved are positive things,” he reveals.

Moreover, failure has many connotations. Qazi of Huxley Associates believes it’s just the way you want to look at it.

"Failure means different things to different people. A football team could still receive praise and applause for reaching the World Cup final, even if they lose the match. However, if someone has failed because they [did not work to their full potential] or did not operate smartly or with passion, then it is another matter, and employers might be less forgiving,” he said.

“Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time once remarked, ‘I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.

I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed,” explained Qazi, quoting the player. “So, I guess when making hiring decisions, it is important for employers to factor in various aspects, including internal and external influences,” he added.

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