Are you afraid of job interview rejection? Although it hurts to hear that you weren’t accepted for a position, you will inevitably face this reality throughout your career. Seasoned professionals tend to fare better when it comes to job interview rejection because they are able to comprehend it from an objective perspective.
Nonetheless, job hunting is a tough endeavor and it can become even more discouraging in today’s economic climate. Since most college graduates are not prepared for job interview rejection, there are certain coping mechanisms to help aspiring professionals weather the realities of the working world.
Rejection is Normal
The reasons for job interview rejection are almost endless, which makes it impossible to know how an employer will draw a conclusion about a candidate. Even if you have the right qualifications, outstanding interview skills, and a polished resume and cover letter, you may still get turned down for a job. Due to today’s overabundance of qualified candidates for each job, most people struggle to determine how to separate themselves from other applicants. For these reasons, you must accept that rejection is simply part of the process.
Don’t Take It Personally
From the moment you experience your first rejection, you are likely to experience a variety of emotions. While you should allow yourself to experience whatever it is you are feeling, just remember to not take it personally. Analyzing every little detail of the interview, or beating yourself up for being rejected will only harm your confidence your, motivation, and your ability to stay calm. A positive attitude is needed to prevent unnecessary stress and maintain productivity during your job search.
Ask for Feedback
Regardless of your experience with interviewing, it is always a good idea to ask for feedback. Moreover, you don’t want to burn any bridges simply because you weren’t offered a position. Reach out to the hiring manager to thank them for their time and ask them to give you a brief explanation on areas for improvement. Even if they aren’t able to give you a thorough answer, you should not relinquish the opportunity for feedback.
Maintain Connections
If the hiring manager responds to your request for feedback, you should maintain this connection. Even if you weren’t qualified for the job you interviewed for, that doesn’t mean the hiring manager won’t keep you in mind for future positions. Connect with the hiring manager on LinkedIn, periodically shoot him or her an email and follow up when another job of interest arises. Employers are more likely to consider candidates they have already met.
Utilize Your Support System
Don’t try to minimize your feelings about rejection; you are entitled to feel the way that you do! Instead of wallowing in your disappointment, try sharing your experience with the people that you love and trust. Sharing your experiences and emotions is a healthy way to handle the stress associated with rejection. Through your support system, you will learn that everyone has dealt with some form of rejection in his or her lives.
Don’t Give Up!
Rejection may feel like the end of the world, which can translate into the desire to give up. Properly addressing job interview rejection will help you achieve your goals, while halting your efforts may cause you to miss out on great opportunities. Counteract this possibility by utilizing the aforesaid steps to successfully handle job interview rejection
An Opportunity for Growth
Like any let down in life, look at job interview rejection as an opportunity for professional and personal growth. Whether you recognize what you could have done better immediately after your interview, or if it takes additional feedback from the hiring manager, use this information to prepare yourself for future interviews.
Analyze your strengths and weaknesses to determine how you can use them to your benefit moving forward. It’s also helpful to consider additional resources, such as software training, online classes, or research, to increase your qualifications. Taking the necessary steps to improve, while remaining optimistic and leveraging your professional network, will give you the drive you need to continue sending applications, editing your resume and finding the right job.
Florida National University (FNU) Can Help!
The mission of Florida National University’s Job Placement Department is to help students and alumni with employability skills, guidance, and resources to find employment in their chosen career and respective specialized field of study. Whether it’s your first time in the job market, or you are a seasoned professional, FNU is here to help you through these challenging times.
Under FNU’s guidance and support, students and alumni alike will learn how to improve their interviewing skills and revise their resumes and cover letters, coupled with open access to the university’s resources and tools to look for and find employment opportunities. FNU also guarantees free lifetime placement assistance for all graduates. With an office on all three campuses, students and alumni have the necessary resources to improve their professional outcomes. Contact us today to get started!
