You've been unemployed for a year. How's the anger level?

I had (until yesterday) a candidate in the final stages for a reasonably lucrative engineering position. He's very technically capable, and my client was most enthused about meeting with him to discuss the possibility of his joining their firm.

He's been unemployed for more than a year. Which isn't uncommon today.

But in his case? Turns out, it may well be due (at least in part) to his anger, and his difficulty managing it when he most needs to manage it. During the interview process.

This very capable candidate will not be getting the job. He bombed the interview.I don't have full detail from the hiring managers yet, but I already know what they're going to say.

Because this same guy has shown me strong evidence in the past week or so that:

1. He's incredibly pissed off that he has no job;
2. He blames the world, and definitely the companies that won't hire him; and
3. He is completely uninterested in any feedback that may help him succeed in the next round of interviews.

If this sounds even remotely familiar, I appeal to you to stop at nothing to take charge. Get your anger in check, no matter what you need to do to accomplish this. Take responsibility for your situation. It is not the hiring managers' fault that you are not working. They're considering you for your skills, but you have GOT to bring the attitude and personality along to the interview if you expect to be selected.

Yes, the pendulum has swung and those hiring are in the pole position right now. They have a sea of candidates from which to choose. Sucks, doesn't it?

But you can be the fish (or the turtle, or stingray, whatever). Just don't be the angry one.