Rejected? Recharge!

We’ve all experienced the disappointment and frustration when receiving a rejection after applying for a job and all you get is a standard response from the company. This limited response can be caused by simple mistakes candidates make when creating their resume and during the application process. I have already written about it in an article about how not to get a job?. Apart of overpower resume, apply also for jobs that you can clearly do, those  still offering you a new challenge and the reward you’re looking for. Don’t sell yourself short but also be realistic.

What can be more frustrating, the phone rings after you have sent your resume, but the journey to securing your dream jobs ends after the first or second interview with the employer.  Maybe you get to the final stage to be beaten to the post by another candidate.

#feedback

There could be many reasons why a candidate is rejected. Salary expectations being too high, not enough functional experience, over qualified or maybe someone better just appeared in the process? When you get rejected, it can be difficult to find out what was missing from your application or what you need to improve for the future. When you do not receive feedback after the recruitment process is completed or the message you receive is too general and does not indicate specific reasons, it’s always worth asking for detailed feedback from the recruiter. It is extremely important to leave a positive impression and not showing your frustration and disappointment that the recruiter or company made a wrong decision. Take a minute, gather your thoughts, focus on the facts and try to find out as much information as possible to have a better chance for success next time. It’s a small world and you never know if and when your professional career will cross paths again with the company representative or recruiter in the future.

#selfreflection

Once you’ve cooled down a bit and your emotions start to subside, it would be good to analyze whether you have made some standard mistakes. Candidates who focus too much on their salary expectations rather than the requirements of the company or show a lack of stability – unable to stay long enough in one job are less likely to be considered or offer their dream job. Before you go to an interview, ask yourself – why do you want a new job? How do you communicate that in a clear and professional manner? Are you the right fit for the organization? It’s often important for the employer to select an employee who is more closely matched to the company’s values and culture. Try to put yourself in the employers shoes, adjust your style and present yourself in a way that wins the employer over, if they like you, you’re more likely to go forward in the process and hopefully get the role. Ensure your profile is their best choice. Are you prepared for the interview? Remember an interview is your opportunity to self-promote your skills, experience and personality, if you go unprepared, tired, lacking concentration and/or enthusiasm and an interest in the company, you are likely to fail at the first hurdle. Do you know who the company is looking for? During your meeting with a company representative, you have a unique opportunity to find out exactly who the organization would like to have on board. You can ask about the existing team, what kind of people are working in the team and whether you see yourself as part of this team.

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

Despite demotivation, you must remember that looking for a job is like having a full time job in itself. Do not let minor failure take you down. The best way to succeed is to learn from mistakes and not repeat them in the future. If not now, then later!

Big thank you to my amazing peer Scott for his support and proofreading! 🙂