Bouncing back from rejection

By Guidant Global

When you find yourself on the receiving end of rejection it is never very pleasant, but know that rejection happens to us all. Let yourself feel disappointed for a moment, it’s human nature but bouncing back is the key. Life would be downright boring if we were all the same. It might sound clichéd but each employer is looking for a different combination of skills, experience and personality. Unfortunately this time you just weren’t the best fit but for another role you could be just the person they were looking for.

Be yourself

Finding the right chemistry between an employer and employee is a two-way street.

Did you really feel this job was the perfect match? There were probably some things you were unsure about too. We all say no sometimes when it doesn’t feel quite right even if we can’t quite explain why. If you felt nervous then don’t beat yourself up about it. In future, it might be useful to remember that sometimes interviewers feel a bit nervous too! It’s a shared processand a chance for you to get to know each other and to work out your fit for the role and the organisation. They are there to represent their company
and are really not trying to trip you up. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes – sometimes hiring managers have to make really difficult decisions, especially when they are presented with more than one great candidate.

Just because they couldn’t offer you the job doesn’t mean they didn’t value your skills and appreciate the time you took to meet with them. It’s also reassuring to remember that interviewers are human and as such, they don’t always make the right decisions! You never know, they might be kicking themselves in three months for not giving you the role.

Open yourself up

If you identified anything you were unsure about during the interview then use these insights as an opportunity to explore new paths.
What did this interview throw at you that you weren’t expecting? The employer may have had similar thoughts. On the other hand, if you felt this job really was a great match for your skills and experience, and you presented yourself the best way you could, getting feedback could be a valuable way to check your perceptions against theirs.

If you find that the feedback is too general and unhelpful then don’t be afraid to ask for some more constructive information. Just make sure you don’t come across as angry/frustrated or criticise the interviewer’s judgement. Do your best to process any feedback as graciously as possible and use it to pinpoint areas for improvement.

Go back and think about how you felt during the process. What resonated and what didn’t? Can any of this help you redefine what you are looking for?

Fill in the gaps

Pinpointing the gaps in your knowledge, experience, skills or communication can help you strengthen your CV.

More than that, filling the gaps can help you to tell a better story about why you are interested and passionate about your line of work. Are there complementary topics or skills that could help broaden your knowledge and illustrate your willingness to learn? Remember that your interests outside of work are also worth bringing into an
interview situation, assuming they’re relevant of course!

Here are some ways you could fill in the gaps:

• Create a diverse reading list that will broaden your outlook

• Find some online training to develop a complementary skill

• Explore blogs/forums or events where you can form your own opinions and learn to express them confidently with others
  

Re-evaluate your search

What criteria do you use in your job search? Do you have a list or do you do it by instinct?

If you are searching by instinct then you may have overlooked your development since your last job search. Are you looking at the right level or would you be considered too senior or over qualified for this type of role now? Employers want you to feel satisfied as they know you will stay longer and be more effective if you are. Review your CV objectively and consider their perspective – does it look as though you are ready for a move up to the next level? If so, apply for those jobs instead.

We are all occasionally guilty of tunnel vision. Has your sector been under-performing recently? Is there another sector where your transferable skills could be valued? In another industry the same type of role may have another job title. Do a little research
and you may find a whole new world opening up to you.

In contrast you may be using a scattergun approach and looking far and wide for opportunities. Remember that employers aren’t looking for people who just want any old job – they want to hear and see your passion shine through. Be honest with yourself: can you focus down on what you really want and give it your best shot? Dare to dream - it will be worth it in the end.
Finally, do you need to be kinder to yourself? If you have been job searching for a while a short break can do wonders for energy and motivation.

Practice thinking on your feet

So how did it go? Do you think you presented yourself in the best light or did you miss some interesting experience or detail because you were nervous?

It can be intimidating to think on your feet and scrabble around your memory for interesting, well-articulated examples. But you have something in your favour: interviewers tend to ask similar questions so you can prepare and practice your responses. This means for a large part of the interview you know what you want to say in advance and it will flow more naturally on the day.

Many questions in the early part of the interview are about you telling the story of how you arrived in the room with the interviewer(s). This provides you with a great opportunity to prepare an interesting tale and add some colour beyond the black and white of your CV.

It’s a chance to inject your personality into the first few minutes of the interview and boost your standing for the rest of the meeting. And remember, it’s your story so own it and tell it with confidence.

It's a numbers game

No one wants you to feel disheartened and there is an opportunity out there for you, something that matches your unique style and skills.
Finding it is often just a numbers game. Don’t rule out applying for the same company again in the future as many companies are building up future talent pipelines. So if you really want to work for them then make sure you let them know you would be interested in future opportunities. Sign up for their latest careers news or job alerts - you never know what may turn up.

Rejection teaches us patience and resilience but can also motivate us to find new paths and discover new talents. This is your chance to figure out exactly what you want and look for opportunities in new places.
Building up networks on relevant social media can raise your profile very effectively. They are also a good way to keep up to date with topics that interest you and that means you will always have something fresh and relevant to say in the next interview.

Good luck!

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