At some point, practically every candidate experiences a job rejection. The odds of landing every role you interview for are incredibly slim, but that doesn’t mean you should be discouraged.
In many cases, being rejected from a job can be an opportunity. If you handle what comes next to the right way, you can set yourself up for greater success, allowing you to keep your career moving forward.
If you’ve been rejected from a job and aren’t sure what to do, here are some next steps that can get you back on track.
Request Feedback
While you can certainly reflect on the interview and see if you can identify areas for improvement, asking for feedback from the hiring manager is actually a better move. You can find out precisely how you were perceived, what missteps occurred, and why you weren’t selected.
This kind of feedback can be hard to hear. However, it gives you a chance to make meaningful improvements that can increase your odds of securing an offer down the line.
You can request feedback in several ways. If you were informed that you weren’t selected in an email, you could ask for some insights in your reply. If the news was delivered over the phone, you can make the same request, asking them if they would feel comfortable discussing it with you or giving you some notes in a follow-up email.
Research Successful Candidates
If you have your eye on that specific company or role, researching successful candidates can be a smart move. The selected new hire will often update their LinkedIn profile reflecting the job change once it occurs, allowing you to see what they brought to the table.
However, even if that happens, researching the job may introduce you to other professionals working in that role. You can learn about their credentials, skills, and experience, letting you figure out what you might need to add to your resume to secure the position.
In some cases, you may be able to request an informational interview. However, it’s usually best not to immediately engage with the new hire, especially if there may be some residual hard feelings. They likely won’t know the full ins and outs of the job for some time, so their input at this early stage may have limited value.
Instead, look to professionals who’ve been in the position for a while. They are familiar with what it takes to excel in the role and company, so they are a better choice.
Create a Plan
Once you’ve gathered that information, it’s time for a plan. This can include seizing opportunities to improve your capabilities, making you a better fit, or working to improve your interview skills before your next meeting with a hiring manager so that you can present yourself as a stronger candidate.
By formalizing the plan, you create a roadmap for success. When you follow that, you know you’re moving in the right direction, increasing your odds of securing an offer the next time around.
If you would like to learn more about what you should do if you’re rejected from a job, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us today.
