It isn’t a good experience for anyone who has ever been rejected from a job, especially one they wanted and had done a lot of preparation for.
But there are some things you can do to make the best out of this bad situation.
It’s not just happening to you
Take a minute and a small measure of comfort in knowing everyone is going through the same thing. Everyone at some point gets rejected from their dream role, a lucrative promotion or gets ghosted after what seemed like a great series of interviews.
Ask for Feedback
The best thing to do after a job rejection is to find out what happened and how you can learn from that.
Asking for feedback from either the employer or recruiter can really help you understand where you went wrong, and you could gain some actionable insight into what you should do the next time.
If the feedback seems a bit generic then don’t be afraid to ask for more details, chances are you put a lot off effort into the interview and so you’re entitled to get some valuable insights at the end of it.
You never know, after having these conversations and building a relationship with the recruiter they may just keep you in mind for any other positions or could help point you in another direction.
Review and Reflect
Use this time as a learning opportunity and ask yourself: what did I do well and what can I do differently? If you keep having bad luck ask family and friends to check over your presentation style or practise some hypothetical interview questions with them and ask them for their honest evaluation.
It could also be worth while reviewing your CV, LinkedIn profile, networking strategy and social media postings. Employers and recruiters may look at these things and make snap judgements so ensure that you are presenting yourself in the best way possible.
Manage your Expectations
Times are different now thanks to COVID and the job market is not as strong as it once was. Pre-pandemic, your goal may have been to find a job within one to three months however not getting a new job can be much harder and could take a long time.
Focus on the victories along the way and be proud of them. Feel good when you hear from a company and when you are invited to an interview. Use them all as learning opportunities as mentioned before and keep in mind that the odds are stacked against you.
Stay Strong and Don’t Give Up
Job rejection can feel like a lot amongst the daily challenges. A helpful tip is to take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Don’t give up and keep fighting the fire, remember every interview you do will give you great experience for the next one.