When employers extend a deadline

[rbnyc]

4. Possibility...

It's possible that the position is being funded by a grant and the grant promises to find someone with very specific qualifications that your friends may not realize are so paramount. When you review the qualifications in the job description, do you meet them all?

Or, the ultimate decision maker may have an ideal candidate in mind and just feels there's something missing from your resume, even if the job description doesn't make that clear. Can you get any specific feedback from your internal advocates.

I recently applied for a position and had a friend with a great reputation in the field close to the executive director. I have 10 years of progressive experience with great metrics, but I was amazed that I couldn't even get an interview. It turns out that they were looking for someone who was very heavy in one area that had not been made clear in the job description, and I was just light in that area.

It's hard not to take it personally.

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Try to get feedback from your friends.