The Job Search: Handling the Rejection

You've been on the interview. You thought it went well. Maybe you've been invited back for a second interview. You send out your thank you notes. You sit and wait. You hear nothing.

You make a follow up call to find out no decision has yet been made. You sit and wait two days longer. You receive an email thanking you for your interest in the position, informing you the company has chosen another candidate. They will, however, keep your application on file for the next six months.

You've Been Rejected

Rejections are an inevitable part of the job search process. Though disappointment is a feeling that may also be inevitable, it is important not to become discouraged.

The decision may be made because your style does not fit within the company culture, or that your qualifications, though impressive, are not from the particular industry for which they are looking, or for any number of other reasons. But sometimes the decision not to hire you has nothing to do with you.

Sometimes the company hires from within the company. Sometimes the interviewer and another candidate had a sports interest in common. Sometimes the company decides to put all hiring on-hold and doesn't fill the position. Sometimes...the list could go on.

Use every opportunity you can to apply, interview, and go through the entire job search process as a way to hone your skills every step of the way. It has been recommended by several career coaches to apply for jobs that you would never take, just to get the experience of learning how to turn a job down.

Analyze What Went Wrong

As you begin to reflect on how you respond during each step of the job search process, examine all of your behaviors. You will begin to recognize your patterns, and discern which things you can change, and those which are beyond your control. And as you do so, you will learn from every application, interview, rejection letter, and all the steps in-between.

Applications. If you left portions of your application blank, you may have been seen as unprepared. If answers are too vague, you could be hiding something. Make sure that you refer to a master application when you are filling out applications either at a company or at home. You will have a complete work history, job descriptions, dates of employment, supervisors' names and phone numbers, etc. and you will be prepared to give any information that may be asked of you on the application.

Personal appearance and dress. You were in a hurry and didn't have time to press your shirt, shine your shoes, or brush your teeth. Get your beard trimmed or your hair cut the day before. Prepare your interview outfit the night before. Get enough rest so that you wake up in time and don't have to rush before leaving for the interview. Remember that you can never make another first impression.

Expressing yourself. You had a hard time expressing your ideas in the interview. You tripped over your words or used a lot of slang. Maybe you were so nervous that you were also unable to relate your knowledge of job requirements or the skills you've used in similar jobs to the interviewer. Practice giving your "30-second commercial", making sure to use better grammar and avoid slang. Anticipate the interview questions and practice answering them, and highlighting your transferable skills to the new position. Prepare yourself for whatever question you think might be asked.

Past Performance and Employment. You may have been fired from a previous position or encountered other problems with a past employer. Perhaps you left due to medical issues. Become better prepared to deal with questions which may arise. If you have made a mistake, acknowledge it and talk about what you learned and what positive things have come from the experience. Get advice from an employment expert as to how to communicate the challenges you have faced.

Attitude. Take care not to come across as negative, cynical, discourteous, or discouraged. Leave the argument you had with your kids at home. Don't walk in complaining about the guy who cut you off on the freeway. Be vigilant in presenting a positive image. Think your words through before you speak to the interviewer. Take care to do the same in the lobby as you wait. Your attitude with the receptionist is equally as important.

A Final Thought

These are a just a few of the reasons that may be attributed to your not being offered a job. But in each of these cases, you CAN do something about it! You may come up with other reasons as you reflect upon your particular job search experiences. Remember, as with any process, you can learn from each experience, if you are open-minded and willing to be honest with yourself.

And what about those companies who don't want you because you are over-qualified, or think you won't fit into the culture, or don't have enough experience, or they decide to close the position before filling it, or any other number of reasons over which you have no control?

Don't take it personally. It's not about you.