When a "no" could mean "yes" in an interview

In more than twelve years of recruiting I have heard "no" far more often than "yes" when setting up interviews or taking next steps in the process.  I have learned in that time that sometimes the "no" could turn into the "yes" that you are ultimately seeking as a candidate or an employer.

Another way of putting it is actually one of my favorite phrases - yes AND no.  How is that possible, you might ask?  There are many ways.

The first example I can think of is the idea of "no, not right now".  This can be a possible outcome of an interview for many reasons - budgets, timing, revenue projections, turnover, etc.  It happens most often when a candidate is presented to an employer as an opportunity hire.  There is either no position available currently or there has been consideration of adding to staff, but timing is uncertain.  As a candidate you can take comfort in the "no" answer, especially if an employer shows commitment to keeping in touch.  As an employer, of course, you have to do a good job of keeping that line of communication open to keep the candidate's interest.

You can also receive a "no" answer when candidate is not a good match for the specific position they are being interviewed for.  This can turn into a "yes" when there is another position that might simply be a better match.  Perhaps you were interviewed for a management role, and in the employer's infrastructure you would be better suited for an individual contributor role.  Or vice versa.  As a candidate you simply have to keep an open mind and trust that the employer has everyone's best interests at heard.  As an employer you have to communicate clearly why one is a better match than the other and focus on the positives of that match, not the negatives of the one that is not a match.

A third way to receive a "no" answer may be the toughest one to hear.  It is when you simply don't have the proper experience as a candidate that the employer is seeking at that time.  The good news here is that it could turn into a "yes" over time if you make a good impression.  Maybe you only have two years of experience and they need ten years.  Or the employer is seeking a designation or a degree that is attainable over time.  As a candidate you need to have patience with the process.  As an employer you need to be sure to catalog the candidate as a keeper if you think there could be something in the future that would be a match.

Finally, a "no" could quickly turn into a "yes" when discussing compensation.  As a candidate you never want to hear "no" to a request for a salary requirement.  What you need to do, however, is really dig into the details to make sure the entire picture is presented clearly.  The base salary may not be equivalent to your hopes and dreams, but perhaps the total compensation potential is higher.  Sometimes a rich benefits package can also make up for any possible salary gaps.  It is always prudent as a candidate to make certain all details are clearly explained before you think there is no way an offer can be accepted at a particular level.  And employers need to effectively communicate all objective AND subjective benefits of working for the company.

Have you ever had a "no" turn into a "yes" in the course of an interview?  If so, how did you respond?