“I’m sorry to inform you that you have not been selected for the position.”
It’s hard. It doesn’t matter if you are desperately searching for a job or passively interviewing; it’s not what anyone wants to hear.
Especially when you log in to LinkedIn to hear about people effortlessly bagging the role of their dreams. How do they did they do it? Are they better at interviewing? Do they know something you don’t?
Unfortunately, there’s no set-in-stone guidebook that’ll guarantee you a job. Rejection is common and the most seasoned professionals didn’t get where they are today without hearing the word no.
This doesn’t mean that the world’s best job hunters don’t have a few tricks up their sleeve.
They interview the company
Top performers aren’t just concerned about getting a job, they’re concerned about getting the right job. Many people are worried about quantity over quality and end up submitting resumes for jobs they’re unqualified for.
Before you get yourself hyped for an opportunity, research to find out if the company is worth the time. Confident job seekers know why they’re the perfect fit for the company before they’re sitting across from the hiring manager. Once they’ve done their homework, they know what questions to ask to confirm their findings.
They negotiate
Most top talent isn’t easily attainable. Professionals are looking for someone who wants to get hired because it brings them closer to their career goals, not someone who is applying just have a job. The best job hunters are open to negotiating, requesting more, or turning down offers that don’t meet their requirements.
This can be difficult when you’re unemployed and grasping for whatever you can get, but be realistic and decide on your worth before going in.
They have connections
Job hunters are far more likely to get a role that they found through a referral than they are one on a job board. It also increases their chance of learning about less publicized openings before the candidate pool increases.
Hop on LinkedIn and find online communities and organizations that are focused on your industry. Consider what you have to offer in return.
They are good marketers
The most successful job seekers handle their interviews like a salesperson. You represent a brand and you’re trying to persuade the interviewer that you are the best in the market.
Commit to making the early interviews about who you are professionally and why you’ll be a good fit.