“Thank you for taking the time to speak with us for the interview. After careful consideration, we wanted to let you know that we have decided to move forward with a different candidate for this position.”
After spending hours working on your resume and applying to a hundred different jobs and telling your friends what a great interview it was, the rejection email feels like the ultimate letdown. “Am I not good enough? Did I not answer all the questions accurately? Or maybe they are just being unfair and didn’t even evaluate me properly.” Thoughts like these can torment you for days and even hold you back from moving forward with your job search.
A job rejection can trigger a wide range of emotions from self-doubt and sadness to anxiety, frustration, and more. It is important to allow yourself to recognize and acknowledge these emotions, and to make sure to give yourself the opportunity to process and work through them in a healthy and constructive manner. This way you can bounce back from the setbacks and move forward with renewed motivation.
In this article, we will explore the complex emotional and technical aftermath of job rejection and how to navigate through it.
It’s Not Personal
Take some time to gather your thoughts. One key thing to realize is that job rejection is not a reflection of your personal worth or character, and it definitely does not define your value as a person or a professional. When you apply for a job, you’re essentially putting yourself out there and opening yourself up to the possibility of being rejected – it is simply part of the process. Happens to everyone, even the most qualified and experienced candidates.
Hiring decisions are often based on a wide range of factors, including the job requirements, the hiring company’s needs, and the qualifications and experience of other candidates. It’s possible that another candidate simply had more experience, better qualifications, or was a stronger fit for the job.
There are also certain criteria associated with the job that may not be spelled out in the actual job description. Each organization has its own unique set of intangibles they seek in candidates which can encompass soft skills, personal characteristics, leadership potential and more. A rejection does not mean you don’t have the potential to succeed in a different role or company where there are different kinds of intangibles to meet.
Send a Thank You Email
As a recruitment agency, we can confirm that candidates who send us a Thank You email to send to the hiring manager do stand out from the rest. Sending a Thank You Email can demonstrate professionalism, gratitude, and willingness to maintain a positive relationship with the company. In the email, mention where and when you had connected so that they can remember you.
It is okay to mention that you are disappointed at not being selected for the position, but keep this message brief and maintain an overall positive tone in the email. Express that while you did not get the chance to pursue this particular role further, you would still gladly consider other suitable offers that may open up in the future.
While a simple appreciation email may not guarantee that you’ll be offered another opportunity, it can definitely leave enough of a positive impression for them to remember you as a potential candidate for a different role. And who knows? What if, for any reason, their first candidate falls through, and your polite, professional follow-up email makes you the next best in line! Always keep the door open for future opportunities.
Check out our Thank You Email template at the end of this article!
Ask for Feedback
It’s important to recognize that rejection alone is not feedback. It does not explain why you were not selected to move forward. If you are not given a specific reason for refusal in the initial email, consider asking if there is any constructive criticism they can provide as it would enable you to tailor your approach for future interviews.
Here is where working with a recruitment agency can be a huge advantage to you. Oftentimes when you apply and interview directly at a company, you might not get detailed feedback or even hear back at all as the hiring team may have to go through several other candidates such as yourself and may not have the time or resources to do so. However, when hiring through an agency, it is in the employer’s best interest to be highly specific and detailed in their candidate feedback to the agency, to ensure the right match for the job profile. As the middleman, recruiters maintain constant contact with the hiring team, relaying valuable feedback to you as a candidate, that likely wouldn’t be accessible otherwise. This mutually beneficial exchange of information allows the hiring manager to find the ideal fit and enables the recruiter to empower you with key insights.
Understanding the specific areas where you fell short can help you modify your strategy, improve your responses, or showcase your strengths more effectively in future interactions. And as mentioned before, the deciding factors may not always be about your qualifications or experience; sometimes, there are other elements at play. By seeking feedback, you can gain valuable insight into the decision-making process, the qualities they were looking for, or any concerns they had.
Why Another Candidate?
It is natural to wonder if there was a better candidate than you. Your professional experience, list of all the necessary soft skills, and the very persuasive cover letter demonstrating why you are the perfect candidate can all look impeccable on paper. But it could have simply come down to the other person being a better cultural fit. Employers often look for candidates who will seamlessly integrate into the existing team and contribute to a positive workplace dynamic.
Another thing to consider is that internal candidates or individuals referred by current employees or trusted contacts within the company may have an advantage. In that case, the company would rather not spend further time and resources recruiting externally.
Remember that a different candidate does not necessarily mean a better candidate than you. Their responses, communication style, and overall presentation may just have resonated more effectively with the interviewers.
Review & Reflect
Reflecting on the rejection helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate. Analyzing multiple job rejections (yes, it can and will happen more than once) over time can help you identify patterns or trends that may be hindering your success. Are there common feedback points? Do you consistently fall short in specific areas? How can you work on your shortcomings?
Recognizing your strengths allows you to highlight them in future applications and interviews. Similarly, understanding your weaknesses helps you focus on skill development or areas that need improvement, making you a stronger candidate for future opportunities.
You may not be super motivated right after the rejection to continue your job search with the same resilience you started with. Use the time to invest in self-improvement. Enhance your skills through online courses, certifications, or workshops if you think it can be beneficial. Start applying again when you can ensure that you have the time and energy to dedicate to the application process and potential interviews. Give yourself the necessary mental and emotional space to pursue new opportunities effectively and develop a healthy attitude towards possible future job rejections.
As Michael Scott famously quoted in The Office,“No question about it. I am ready to get hurt again.”
Embracing challenges and learning from disappointment enhances your self-awareness and resilience. By overcoming obstacles along your career journey, you significantly enhance your chances of securing the perfect role.
As disheartening as rejection can be, allow yourself to reframe the situation. Try to shift your focus from disappointment to a growth mindset, viewing rejection as a stepping stone toward improvement rather than a roadblock. This may not happen in a day or even a week so it’s alright to take the time to figure out where you stand emotionally and strategically. Then, if you need to, share your feelings with trusted friends or family who can provide comfort and perspective. Remember, everyone gets rejected from a job at some point; it’s what you learn and take away from the experience that matters.
Most importantly, focus on moving forward. Make use of the right resources and reach out to career coaches or recruiters for guidance. If you want us to assist you in your job search process, contact us at resumes@bilingualsource.com
Lastly, check out this refreshingly inspiring video of Denzel Washington teaching us to FALL FORWARD.
Thank You Email Template
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. We connected last (mention when you met) and I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name].
Although I am disappointed to learn that I have not been selected for the role, I want to thank you and the entire interview panel for considering my application and giving me the chance to showcase my qualifications and also get to know more about the company. I would highly appreciate it if you could provide any feedback on my interview. Your insights and constructive comments will help me grow both professionally and personally. I value continuous improvement and will take your suggestions to heart as I move forward in my job search.
It is evident to me that [Company Name] is a dynamic and innovative organization, and I admire the impressive work being done by your team. I do remain enthusiastic about the possibility of future opportunities. I genuinely believe that my skills and experiences align well with the work you do, and I will continue to keep an eye on any relevant openings in the future.
Wishing you and your team continued success in achieving your objectives. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
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