You’re waiting and after many agonizing days, you finally receive an email from the hiring manager after your big interview. It’s not what you wanted.
A rejection. We’ve all experienced it.
It’s easy to say that you’re going to use this as a learning opportunity, but it’s not as easy to do. Rejection bogs you down and kills motivation. Like all forms of rejection, it’s easy to take it personally and lash out at the company responsible. What’s important is that you don’t dwell on this. Recalibrate and use this to secure a better opportunity.
Request feedback
You’ll have to gauge if this is the right choice for you. From a recruitment standpoint, hiring managers are in a position where they need to be comfortable with providing constructive feedback.
It’s difficult to self-analyze. You may not be aware of interview mistakes, resume errors or red flags until you get a second opinion. If you were perfect for the opportunity, but still weren’t selected, it’s also good to know so you can pursue companies that put a high value on your experience.
If you’re working directly with a recruiter, they will get the feedback directly from the hiring manager. A good recruiter will provide you with as much insight as they can. Remember that your time is valuable.
Don’t burn the bridge
Send a thank-you note. Not just after the interview, but after the rejection. It’s a rare commodity that is now more important than ever. Research has shown that less than 10 percent of candidates send cards and only 25 percent send a thank you after the interview. This number shrinks, even more, when it comes to rejections.
A good practice that will make you stand out is sending a handwritten note. Most people don’t send one, so even if you don’t get the opportunity, you’re building a reputation for yourself. Many people have found that by showing appreciation, employers be more willing to connect them to someone in their network. If another opportunity arises, they are far more likely to remember you since you’ve established a stronger sense of permanence. You can send a thank you via email 24 hours after the interview and mail a handwritten letter later if it’s for a missed opportunity you love.
Restrict handwritten letters to serious roles you are passionate about. There’s no need to send letters for a phone screening.
Revise your process
Although we’re at a point where people feel like they must apply for everything they can find. Quality is ALWAYS more important than quantity. Obviously, it’s statistically advantageous to apply to as many jobs as possible. Applying to jobs becomes a full-time position, but you eventually become braindead to the differences of each job. Unfortunately, this deflates the passion that employers are seeking from their applicants.
If you’re sending the same resume, the same pitch, the same cover letter, over and over with no response – the problem is in your process. Stop flinging resumes at every opening you see. Take the time to research the company to show that you care about the position. The hiring manager will take notice.
There’s no doubt that this is a tough time for job seekers, but remember, you are one rejection closer to your next big role.