Being the corporate fit - skills alone won't secure that job

And their confusion was understandable. These were well-educated executives with multiple years of experience relevant to the role.

And yet they were passed over.

Similarly, experienced executives who assumed they would be in line for promotion due to their status and tenure were also passed over.

The fact is skills and experience alone won't necessarily get you the job. In order to compete effectively in this highly competitive market, we need to adapt ourselves to changing needs and criteria.

Skills, education and experience are, of course, crucial, but today's hiring managers review these proficiencies in conjunction with softer skills to ensure a more successful fit.

These are the most regularly requested non-functional competencies:

• High energy
  
• Confidence
  
• Assertiveness
  
• Persuasiveness
  
• Leadership ability
  
• Business driver
  
• Strong communicator
  
• Attention to detail
  
• Corporate fit - this is the toughest one. No matter how good you are, if you aren't perceived as a cohesive fit for the company or team, there's no point in talking further.

  'Fit' can include aspects such as managerial or leadership style, personality, behaviours, mind-set, personal presentation, ethics, worldview and adaptability.

  The reasons behind this preference are solid. Poor hiring decisions are costly in more ways than one. Hiring someone with a weak cultural fit can create internal polarisation, work force disruption, loss of key staff and revenue.

  According to a 2012 CareerBuilder poll, 69% of companies surveyed experienced a bad hire that year. Of those companies, 41% said that the bad hire cost them US$25k and 24% said it cost them over US$50k.

  According to a 7 Geese post, the Competency Iceberg model shows 20% of an individual (above the surface of an iceberg) is made up of technical competency, whereas 80% (hidden below the surface of the iceberg) is all about the essence of the person, such as values and beliefs.

  You can train technical skills, but not cultural fit.

So what can you do to increase your chances of being a good fit?

Most of us are held back in our personal development by a lack of self-awareness. We know what-we-know and we don't know what-we-don't-know, until someone points it out.

It's difficult to be objective about ourselves, and in reality, how others experience us is quite often different from what we think.

Gaining self-awareness enables us to lift our rose-tinted glasses and break self-limiting traits and reshape our communication and behavioural styles. And just as important, it helps us recognise the impact we have on others. Someone who is aware of his or her blind spots is much more valuable than one who isn't.

Time spent with an experienced coach can help highlight areas of development. The most successful individuals are those who embrace change and nurture a desire to learn, grow and adapt. It's never too late to work on yourself.