What to Do When You Dont Get a Job Offer

What to Do When You Dont Get a Job OfferWhat to Do When You Dont Get a Job OfferIt doesnt matter how many times you experience this type of rejection- and lets face it, if youre actively applying for jobs, rejection is nearly inevitable- the sting never fades. Even if you dont get a job offer, negative emotions dont have to be the last stop of your application process. Heres some tried-and-true advice on how to respond, and bounce back, when youre rejected from a job that you really wanted. Accept Your Emotions Give yourself time to identify your feelings, whatever they may be. You may want to call a friend to vent, go for an intense workout, or write a frustrated journal entry. Choose the coping method of your choice, but after some time spent processing your emotions, do your best to move on. While this may feel like a personal decision, its not hiring decisions are based on a mix of factors, from candidates salary needs to experience levels. Personality may play a role in the mix, but its likely not the most important factor. If youve ever been on the other side of the vorstellungsgesprch, chatting with candidates, you know decisions are often made based on gut feelings, or a single important bullet point on a candidates resume. Be Gracious and Stay Connected Send a polite thank-you notenzeichen to your interviewer and any major contacts youve made at the company, thanking them for their time and wishing them good luck. You can also use this space to request that the company keep you in mind for other opportunities that come up. This is also a good moment to connect on LinkedIn, which will help to extend your relationship. Ask for Feedback One of the worst parts about not getting a job can be wonderingwhyyou didnt get it. Was it a silly joke you made? A poor answer to a question? A typo in yourthank-you note? While legal concerns may restrict a companys response, try asking for feedback on their decision-making process. Frame your inquiry as a po sitive (what can I improve?) rather than a negative (why didnt you hire me?). If a recruiter was involved in your application, youre in luck these matchmakers tend to get lots of actionable information from both applicants and employers. Since they dont face the same legal pressures as companies that are hiring, recruiters can be a good source of feedback about your performance during an interview. If you are fortunate enough to receive feedback, avoid being defensive and use it constructively. It can be frustrating to hear that a company rejected you because you didnt have leadership qualities, when in fact you were a leader in several prior jobs. Take that as a signal that you need to think about ways to emphasize your leadership while answering questions, and potentially rephrase parts of your resume. Use any feedback you receive as a way to improve for next time. Review Your Application Process, from Start to Finish Think about the entire process of your application, from wh en you first applied to the job through to your correspondence and interviews. Is there anything you would change? Theres nothing helpful about obsessing over why it didnt work out- instead, focus on solutions for moments that did not go as desired. Frustrated that you misspelled a name in your thank-you note? Plan to have a friend proofread your email next time. Did you flub an answer? Practice how youd respond next time. Work on Your Interview Skills Even if you were not able to solicit information from an employer as to why they didnt hire you, keep your eye on the prize and continue to practice your interview skills so that youll feel positive and confident when the next opportunity arises. Take the time to prepare for the next job interview by reviewing and answering both job-specific interview questions and behavioral interview questions. Then, once youve been offered an interview by an employer, carefully research the company and write down talking points based upon what youve learned about their company culture, mission, and needs. With the help of a friend or two, role-play the interview before you go in so that youll be well-versed in answering some of the most common interview questions posed by hiring committees. By focusing on your next step rather than brooding about why you werent chosen for a particular job, youll be well-prepared to land the right job when it comes along. The universe works in strange ways dont be surprised if it turns out being a better fit for you than the one you originally thought you wanted