How to bounce back when you didn’t get the job
Bouncing back from rejection
Going for a new job or promotion and not being successful can feel like a huge disappointment and knock your confidence. But, these kinds of setbacks often end up being small, forgettable blips when you look back on your career, or, can even be a turning point.
Here are some tips to help you if you’re fresh from rejection and thinking about your next step:
Ask for feedback
It can be hard to get feedback especially if you don’t reach the interview stage but it’s always worth asking to see if a hiring manager or recruiter can offer insights that can be helpful in identifying areas to improve for future interviews. It can feel daunting asking for feedback especially if you’re feeling a little raw from not getting the job, but remember that feedback often offers an insight into what you performed well on, as well as what you might want to improve.
2. Reflect
Take some time to reflect on the interview or application process and the feedback if you get any. Think about the questions you were asked, the way you answered them, and how you felt you performed overall. Were there questions or tasks you were particularly strong or weak on? Did you find the interview more challenging than the written application? Did you not leave enough time to get to the venue? Did you actually like your potential colleagues, job, and employer? Remember that an interview is for you to test how you’d feel working in a certain job and any application process, whether successful or not can help you figure out what you don’t want, as well as what you do. Answering these questions will help you focus on the positives as well as the areas you can improve on in the future.
3. Reframe ‘failure’ and rejection
Try to remember that ‘rejection’ is part of your career development and job search process. It’s not necessarily a reflection of your worth and your abilities. And no recruitment process is pointless - you can always learn from it and consider it good practice for the next job ( a job that you might want even more than the one you’ve recently been rejected from). Failing is a way of learning and figuring out how you want to succeed in the future!
4. Make a plan
Once you’ve had some time to reflect and get some feedback, make a plan on areas you want to focus on when it comes to improvement so you’ll feel more confident for the next application. If you had to deliver a presentation during the interview and you ran over time or could have presented more confidently, make a plan to create more opportunities to practice your presentation skills. If the feedback included lacking experience in a certain area, find a way of gaining that experience so you can put it on your CV for future applications.
5. Keep applying!
It’s understandable to feel deflated and put off applying for other jobs. But, preparing yourself to continue to search for job opportunities that align with your skills and interest can motivate you and focus your feelings of rejection. Remember that the more you apply, the more comfortable you will become and the more likely you are to find a job that's the right fit for you.
