Share and Help your Friends With Their Job Search!
It’s hard to handle rejection when you’re looking for a job. And it really stings when you get all the way to the job interview, but then find out that someone else got the job, not you.
Here are some strategies to keep your job search on track and keep yourself from getting demoralized by rejection.
Be honest with yourself. Did you say something at your interview that you now regret? Did you neglect to research the company so your would be prepared to ask intelligent questions? Did you dress appropriately? Were you really qualified for the position? If you recognize your past mistakes, you can correct them in the future.
It’s not about you. Many company human resources departments require managers to advertise new openings even if they have already decided to hire someone from within the company. Or you may be perfectly qualified for the job but lose out to an exceptional candidate with more experience and education. On the other hand, when you when you go to your next interview, the competition may be weaker and you maybe the superior candidate.
It’s not about getting a job; it’s about getting interviews. Statistics show that applicants send in 250 resumes for every open position. On average, only 4 to 6 candidates are called in for an interview. And only one person is offered a job. Realize that this is a numbers game. The more interviews you get the more likely it is you will get hired. Don’t worry about getting hired; worry about getting more interviews.
Develop a new skill. Learn to code or improve your spreadsheet skills. Take a course. Then find a volunteer opportunity where you can practice those skills Learning new skills increases your confidence and makes your resume look more attractive.
Thank your interviewer. Give yourself a few days to recover from the news that you were not hired. Then send the person who interviewed you an email or note thanking them for taking the time to meet with you. Do the same with anyone else in the company who you met with as part of the job search process. The person they hired ahead of you may change their mind at the last minute and take another job. Or a similar job may open up in a different department a month later. Your thank you letter will create a favorable impression and increase your chances of getting hired, especially if they are looking to fill the position quickly.