Let's start with some research data to put the "job interview secret" (which I'll share in a moment) into context.

The online insurance broker NetQuote recently surveyed 800 people "who are currently or have been responsible for interviewing job applicants." They discovered that 7 out of 10 of respondents have interviewed an applicant "with no intention of hiring them."

Why would they do this? Boredom? Curiosity? A deep-seated need to psychologically torture hapless job-seekers? Nope. The real reason they interview folks they're not going to hire is so that they can say to their bosses something like this:

"We interviewed 10 qualified candidates and the best was..." [checks sheet of paper] "...Bob Harrelson, who entirely by coincidence is also [my brother-in-law | my college roommate | my future girlfriend ]."

They leave that last part out but you get the point.