“Thank you for applying for the community manager position. We enjoyed meeting with you but regret to inform you that we will not be pursuing your candidacy further.” Yikes, that’s the last thing you want to hear after spending hours finding a job opportunity, writing your resume and cover letter, and landing at least one interview with the company. Job search rejection is sad and stressful, and can quickly deflate your confidence.
Unfortunately, there may have been factors out of your control. For example, the position could have been filled internally or given to someone further along in the hiring process. What you can control is how you respond, reflect, and remain resilient so you can focus on doing your best throughout the rest of the job search process. As hard as it may seem, it’s in your best interest to view rejection as redirection and a valuable learning experience.
Ask for feedback:
Even though you might want to delete the dreaded rejection email, it can be beneficial to respond. Your response shows your maturity, continued interest in the company, and dedication to personal and professional growth.
You can say something short like: Thank you for the update. I enjoyed meeting the team and learning more about [company name]. Can you share any feedback I can use to improve as a candidate? Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me. I’d love to stay in touch and be considered for future roles.
It’s possible that the hiring manager won’t provide feedback because it may be seen as a liability or they are swamped. Still, it’s worthwhile to ask because their constructive criticism could be a beneficial way to harness job search rejection. As Pamela Weinberg, a New York City-based career coach says, “Feedback is a great way to use job search rejection to your advantage.”
Reflect on the experience:
Give yourself some time to feel sad — and maybe indulge in some Ben & Jerry’s — then take some time to analyze the experience. Even though it’s hard, try your best to be objective or ask a close friend, family member, or mentor for feedback.
“Reflect back on the process and see what you might do differently next time to affect a different outcome, such as finding people to network with within the company before or during the application process or practicing your interview skills,” says Weinberg. View the experience as a learning opportunity that will make you into an even better candidate the next time around. But don’t get stuck on a case of the “coulda woulda shoulda.” You never know exactly how the hiring decision was made — there could have been someone with one more year of relevant experience or knowledge of one more computer program.
Donna L. Sellers, a certified life and career coach recommends asking yourself three insightful questions:
- What did I do really well in the process?
- What did I learn about myself, the company culture, or the industry?
- What will I think about this situation five years from now?
The first two questions will help you interpret and evaluate your performance and the types of jobs and companies you’re applying to. The last enables you to stay positive and resilient. “Shift your perspective and you’ll see that the rejection shifts, too,” says Sellers.
Stay positive:
Dealing with rejection isn’t easy and, as Kevin Grubb, executive director of the Villanova University Career Center based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania says, “Job search rejection is an inevitable, difficult part of the process of getting to your next opportunity. Everyone has been there at least once and felt that disappointment.” Grubbs recommends combatting negative emotions by focusing on self-care. Do something good for yourself such as taking a long walk, doing breathing exercises, or keeping a gratitude journal.
“Getting back into a space of positivity will help in big ways when you approach the next opportunity. The good news about doing this is that learning how to rebound from tough times effectively will build your resilience, a quality employers look for in their next hires,” Grubb says.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that job search rejection stinks. However, you can use it to become a better candidate and say thank you, next.
