- Career Elevator
- Posts
- "They told him the job was already taken..."
"They told him the job was already taken..."
Company's first choice vs. external candidate. Guess who won?
Yesterday I shared my complete F.I.V.E. system.
Several people replied. They said:
"But Brian, what if I'm the exception? What if my situation is just too difficult?"
I get it.
You're looking at your situation.
You're thinking, "My industry is too competitive. The hiring managers are too picky. The other candidates are too qualified."
Simply…
"My situation is just... different."
Let me tell you about Sergio.
The company told him the job was already taken.
Sergio was a Financial Controller. He was interviewing for the biggest opportunity of his career. He wanted to run the entire Latin American market for an international company.
But here's the thing...
During the interview process, they told him:
"The leading candidate for this position is an internal employee. She's already our first choice."
Think about that for a second.
He wasn't just competing against other external candidates. The company had already picked someone.
An insider. Someone who knew the systems. Someone who knew the culture. Someone who knew the people.
Sergio was told he was interviewing for a position. That position was already filled.
If that's not an "impossible situation," I don't know what is.
But here's where it gets interesting...
Most people would've given up.
Or worse. They would've shown up unprepared.
They would think, "What's the point? They've already decided."
Not Sergio.
We spent our strategy sessions focused on one thing. We wanted to eliminate every single reason they had to choose the internal candidate over him.
Here's what we did:
Step 1: The 3-Month Plan
Sergio didn't just talk about his past achievements. He walked into that interview with a detailed plan. He said: "If you hire me, in the first three months, this is what I'm going to do for your LATAM region."
Step 2: The 6-Month Vision
He didn't stop there. He shared his complete vision. He said: "And in the first six months, here's how I'll accomplish your specific objectives for this role."
Step 3: Risk Elimination
We addressed the elephant in the room.
The internal candidate knew the company. But Sergio showed them something more valuable. He showed them a step-by-step process.
He showed exactly how he would hit their goals.
The company went from seeing him as a "risky external hire." And started seeing him as the candidate with the clearest roadmap to success.
The result?
Sergio leapfrogged their "first choice" internal candidate.
They were impressed with his strategic plan. They offered him the position over someone who already worked there.
Someone who had the insider advantage.
Someone who was their first choice going into the process.
This is the same F.I.V.E. system I shared yesterday in action.
Want to see how this system works for your situation? Click here for more details. Only 5 spots left.
Now, here's what I want you to understand...
My interview preparation system helped someone overcome THOSE odds. The company had already picked their candidate.
Imagine what it can do for your "difficult" situation.
Your industry isn't more competitive than beating someone who already works at the company.
Your hiring managers aren't more picky than ones who had already made their choice.
Your competition isn't tougher than someone with insider knowledge and first-choice status.
This was one of the wins I'm most proud of this year.
It seemed impossible.
But it wasn't luck.
It wasn't a fluke.
It was the F.I.V.E. system. The same complete system I detailed yesterday. It was executed perfectly:
✓ Strategic FIT: We targeted a role where Sergio's finance background made him the ideal candidate for LATAM expansion
✓ Impact-Driven IMAGE: His resume showcased measurable financial impact that proved his value
✓ Strategic VISIBILITY: He got in front of the right decision-makers through strategic outreach
✓ Interview EXECUTION: He brought that detailed 3-month and 6-month strategic plan. His Value Proposition eliminated all their concerns.
The same systematic approach has helped 1,500+ job seekers land roles at companies like Google, AbbVie, Goldman Sachs, and Lucid Motors.
And the same system can work for you. No matter how "unique" you think your situation is.
I will help you:
Land your six-figure dream job in 90 days or less - GUARANTEED. That means I continue working with you until you accept an offer, at no extra cost.
Remember, I only have 5 spots left in my Job Search Masterclass. I'm closing enrollment this Friday at 11:59pm EST.
Tomorrow I'll handle another objection: "I don't have the confidence to compete."
I'll tell you about Carolina. She cried during her first mock interview with me. She landed at AbbVie (a Fortune 500 company).
Talk soon,
P.S. - Sergio's situation taught me something important:
The candidates who think they have the biggest disadvantages often have the biggest breakthroughs.
Why?
Because they're willing to prepare at a level their competition never considers.
Don't let your "difficult situation" become your excuse. Let it become your edge.