There’s nothing worse than competing against nepo-babies, is there? They get their names whispered in decision-maker’s ears, and their CVs put on the top of applicant piles and seem to have jobs given to them as favours – how can you possibly compete against them or that?
Nepo-babies have more interview advantages than you think
It is tough to beat a nepo-baby in an interview – but it’s more challenging than you think and here’s why.
“Just because you are paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re NOT out to get you!”
The truth is, the nepo-babies probably aren’t even aware that you exist. Between living their amazing Instagram lives of great clothes, travel and champagne, they’re doing their thing, using all the assets and networks that their family and social circle bring them to get internships, work experience gigs, and office “apprenticeships”.
But it’s worse than that. They also have the confidence you gain from attending a feepaying school, the clothes and the chat. They look and sound the part already and get an easy pass into potential employers’ offices.
But it’s even worse than that. To even begin to compete against them, first, you have to find a job that’s advertised. Loads of great jobs are never advertised – so you don’t even get a chance to apply. A selection process costs time and money, so many good jobs, particularly in smaller companies, are filled by “internals” – candidates identified when people within the company reach out to their networks. This seems to make sense to some companies when they are thinking of hiring, but they are sometimes disappointed at the work ethic and entitlement of their red-carpet hires – but that doesn’t help you. You didn’t even know the job existed.
But it’s even worse than that. You might be part of a fake process. This means you are spending your effort, time, and limited resources on applying for and preparing for a job already promised to someone. You are already applying to a smaller pool of jobs with employers, but some of them may be running these fake or sham processes because, although they already have decided on someone, they have to be seen to be running an “open” process with a publicly advertised position because of the size or profile of the company.
But it’s even worse than that. There are fewer jobs and more good candidates. AI is taking over some jobs – or at least part of some jobs. Slower growth and rising uncertainty in business have reduced the supply of jobs. Covid killed off some businesses and reduced or eliminated the savings of thousands of small business owners who are understandably less confident and likely to recruit new people. Big Tech is laying people off, and more people are looking for jobs (some of whom already have several years of work experience. So, for a variety of reasons, there is more competition for fewer advertised jobs.
So what does this mean for you? Is it impossible? Should you give up and say – what’s the point? No. But you do have to make every application, CV, and cover letter count. Every chance at an interview, online or in person, has to count.
That’s why I do interview preparation for graduates as well as working with the CEOs of the companies they apply to. I understand what companies and business leaders want and need, and I love working with ambitious leaders – but there is nothing like working with someone who feels like the odds are stacked against them but gets the job anyway. Getting that triumphant “I got the job!” message from an “outsider” who almost can’t believe the words they are typing or the voice note or voicemail they are leaving me is the best thing about my job.