If you have ever been in the situation when a company has chosen some other candidate over you it is likely you felt something like "You've made the wrong choice, guys!" or "How in the world you could have chosen that person for the position?". While in some cases it is hard to stay objective as it is you who failed and you could feel that out of resentment, it is also true that very often hiring authorities don't select the best candidate for the position. The thing is that many companies and organizations still have archaic approaches to personnel selection and as a result, they fail to choose the most fitting candidate. You can wonder how such an important decision can be wrong in so many companies, but that's just the way it is...
What Can I Do About It?
Obviously, you cannot change the way how the selection process is done throughout all companies and organizations in your country, but at least if you know how it works you can use it to your benefit. You cannot change this fact, but if you know what the process flaws are, you can use this knowledge to your advantage. So our role is to share some insights into how the decisions are made so that you could tailor your application. 
Everybody knows that the main indicator of one's professionalism is a clear definition of prior work success. In other words, if a candidate has verified accomplishments at the previous workplace, it is likely he will be able to help a company achieve its objectives. However, some companies tend to look more at personal characteristics rather than key performance indicators. As a result, they select those who match their generic job descriptions, ignoring the most important things.
It is something to consider though when you apply for a job: try to balance everything in your application so that you would match both personal and professional requirements. Another thing that contributes to the overall failure of the selection process is companies fill jobs with the candidates who tick the largest number of boxes. It is a poor practice because it excludes a dialogue between an employer and candidate, where both parties can agree upon mutual benefits. When there is a dialogue, there is an attempt to better understand the needs and aspirations of each other. It provides more grounds for choosing the right person. It is unfair to a certain degree and even counter-productive for everybody, but you can't change the system.
Summary
If you want to get hired you have to accept the rules and play in accordance with such procedures, even if it seems unfair. So the very first thing you have to keep in mind is paying close attention to the job descriptions no matter how generic they may appear. Secondly, remember that your presentation skills during an interview may be more important than your actual professional experience or accomplishments. Lastly, don't get discouraged along the way. We are sure you will find the company who will evaluate your talent correctly and offer you a job.
