Dealing with job rejection can be potentially painful and a major blow to your confidence. Nonetheless, it’s something that almost every job seeker will experience at some time or another. Fortunately, if you handle it the right way, you can often turn a negative into a positive and use it as an opportunity to improve and open new doors. Here’s what to do after a job rejection.
Don’t Put All of Your Eggs in One Basket
First of all, it’s not usually a good idea to apply to just one job and expect everything to work out perfectly. Because job searching is often a numbers game, it’s ideal to apply for multiple positions — in case your first option doesn’t come through. Not only does this increase your chances of getting a good position, it will sting less if you’re rejected.
Try Not to Take it Personally
When you look at it realistically, you’re simply not going to land every single job you apply for. It’s just a fact of life. For that reason, you shouldn’t take it too personally and blow things out of proportion. Instead, it’s best to take the emotion out of it and accept that this job just wasn’t meant for you. You should then keep your eyes focused on the next opportunity in front of you.
Ask for Feedback
If possible, you should ask your interviewer for feedback to see what they liked about you and what hindered you from getting the position. While you may not always get a straightforward answer, any constructive feedback can be beneficial when applying for future jobs. Typically, the best way to obtain this information is through an email where you say that you would appreciate any feedback they may have – positive or negative.
Learn from the Experience
From there, you’ll want to utilize any feedback to make improvements that will better prepare you for your future endeavors. Maybe you had all of the credentials and they liked your personality, but another candidate had a bit more hands-on experience. In this case, you would know that there’s nothing in particular you did wrong, and should simply look for another position that better suits your experience level.
Or maybe you dressed a bit too casually or your interviewer perceived a lack of interest on your end. In this scenario, you would want to be sure to dress more professionally and work your nonverbal communication skills.
Send a Follow-Up Letter
Lastly, it’s a good idea to send a brief follow-up letter to thank the recruiter for their time. This is the courteous and professional thing to do, and is a positive reflection on your character. It’s also a good idea to ask that they keep you in mind in case there are future openings that are more in-line with your experience and expertise.
By having the right approach, a job rejection doesn’t have to be catastrophic, and you can actually use it to your advantage. With any luck, you’ll find other great opportunities and eventually get the job you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for guidance on finding the right job or need help with your job search, please contact us today.