So, you've been rejected.
Job rejections hurt. After all the time and effort you put into sending out resumes and going to interviews, you get the, "Thanks, but no thanks." email or nothing at all. Talk about a bummer.
It can be psychologically devastating to get a rejection. However, with intention, it is possible to shift your perspective and see rejection as an opportunity to get clearer on what you want and what an employer is looking for. Rejection can help refine your interviewing skills and act as a practice run for an even better job you have yet to apply for. You see, things are looking up already!
How to Get Over a Job Rejection
The first thing you want to do is avoid taking the rejection personally. Maybe the position was no longer available, or the company was already at the offer stage with another candidate. Maybe an internal employee bubbled-up and was promoted. Maybe the budget to hire wasn’t approved or a segment of the business is struggling, and hiring isn’t wise for the company in the long term. Maybe it was good that you weren't chosen because you wouldn't have enjoyed it a few months down the road anyway. There are so many reasons.
By shifting your perspective on why you were rejected, you change the narrative to one that does not have any bearing on you as a person. Bottom line, you need to move on.
Attempt to collect feedback
You can send an email to your interviewer and ask them for any feedback they could give as to why you didn't get the job. It could be frustrating not knowing why you got rejected, so get clarity and closure. At worst, you won't receive a response back with an answer. At best, you will get helpful details that will provide insight into your performance at the interview. The interviewer's responses will be invaluable for your continued job search.
Stay Positive
Know your worth and keep your self-esteem high. You possess qualities and skills which someone, somewhere would love to have on board their team. It is important not to go down a path of self-loathing during this stressful time. Interviewers and recruiters will pick up on it and it won’t help your chances of getting that future offer letter.
Keep searching for a position until you find a role that aligns with your future career goals. Stay in touch with your professional network. Update your LinkedIn headline with terms like, available, seeking, looking, etc. These are all keywords that recruiters use to help find talent online that would be open to a job change. Keep practicing your interviewing skills! If you come across as being nervous or find it difficult to speak coherently about your background, skills, and achievements, practice in front of a mirror. You can even do a little bit of role-playing. Ask a friend to pretend they are an interviewer. Have them deliver honest feedback.
Final Thoughts
Remember, rejection is not the end of the world. In fact, it can help you get clear on where you need to improve your interview skills, as well as what kind of company you want to be working for.
Even if you get multiple rejections, they will all help you REFINE yourself to the point where you will ace your interview at a great company. If you are looking for help from an experienced accounting recruiting agency, contact The Jule Group. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn (insert my LinkedIn hyperlink) for a 1:1 coaching conversation and interview rehearsal.
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