Dealing with unsuccessful job applications/ interviews – what next?
“Thank you for your recent application. Unfortunately the CV provided does not meet the criteria outlined for this particular role we're hiring for and will not be proceeding with your application”.
This is a line from an email that I received in the summer of last year while on my job search. I was out of work for 5 months at this stage and I felt that these emails were becoming all too common in my inbox. It was beginning to seem pointless to continue the job search.
There are many people out there who are in the position I was in and are met with rejection and regret emails and calls every day. Rejection and failure are words we associate with negative experiences yet everyone in their life will experience both in some form. It is our interpretation of these words and how we choose to view them that will determine our success. Continue reading to see my top 6 tips on how to proactively react to a job application rejection.
Don’t take it personal
Hiring managers and recruiters who view your CV know very little about you as a person apart from what you have detailed on the piece of paper they hold in their hand. Often times, managers will breeze through a CV looking for key words and if they do not see these words then you will go into the regretted pile. Don’t take this personal as it is no reflection of you as a person. So your skills don’t match what that company are looking for. So what? Adopt a positive mindset and move forward…there is no point in dwelling on what could have been.
Ask for honest feedback
It is easy to feel sorry for yourself for not getting a job and it is easier to disassociate with the recruiter you are working with. Yet if they do not provide feedback as to why you were unsuccessful, ask them! It is something that can easily go amiss amidst the initial heartbreak of being told that you are not what the company are looking for. However, by receiving honest feedback on your CV or interview, you get the chance to right your wrongs and improve your approach for your next job application. Treat the feedback as a learning experience. Win or learn!
Adapt
It is no good receiving feedback and not acting on it. Alter your CV. Work on your weaknesses. If you are told that your experience was good but you couldn’t communicate it in a clear and concise manner then work on that. This may involve looking into a mirror and practicing speaking your answers aloud. Make sure that the next time you put yourself forward for a job that you don’t get regretted for the same reason. As a wise man once said, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.
Seek advice
This is so important to do if you want to get that dream job you saw advertised. Often perceived as a weakness, seeking help and advice in order to prepare your CV for an application (or yourself for an interview) shows intelligence and a desire to achieve your goals. If you are going for a sales role, reach out to a sales consultant in the company you are applying to and educate yourself on what the role entails. Or maybe ask a specialist sales recruiter if they wouldn’t mind reviewing your CV. The more assistance you have, the more prepared you will be and in turn, the more chance you will have of progressing with your application!
Remain positive
Easier said than done, I know! But what good will it do you by getting bogged down on an “I regret to inform you” email? My advice would be to take a few seconds to digest the information before turning your attention to “OK, I didn’t get this role so where will I go from here?” I am a firm believer of ‘if it is meant to be, it will be’. Don’t forget, the right opportunity will always be the one where you sign the dotted line on the contract! Remain positive and always strive to learn from each experience. Train your mind in such a way that when you receive a rejection letter, you automatically see a way to improve and learn.
Get back on the horse!
You applied for a job and did not get it. Not to worry! It is now in the past. Keep the head up and find another role that interests you and apply again!
For all you jobseekers out there, keep the faith, persevere and don’t give up!
Director of Recruitment
4 年Some great advice here - excellent !
Calibration Supervisor at Hanley Calibration.
4 年I have asked for feedback from both agency recruiters and company HR people following unsuccessful applications and have never had any reply from them, not once. They are simply not interested in candidates that they aren't going to hire. I would also say that many advertised positions are already decided before they even interview. Some people may say not, but we all know that it's true. I have applied for a couple of jobs that required very specialised knowledge and experience on top of the usual technical requirements, knowledge and experience that I possess, but have never even made it to a screening phonecall never mind an interview. I've had two applications where I went through the entire processes and was invited in to meet the bosses and have a tour of the facility, then never heard from them again. There are some very unprofessional HR people out there! Another point is that your CV is likely to be run through filtering software that looks for key word and phrases. Only the top scoring CVs are actually read by a person, and so an excellent candidate can be missed.
Creative Marketing Professional | Expert in Content Creation, Digital Systems & Project Management | Delivering Impactful Solutions | Digital Marketing
4 年Great Article. Well Done!
Associate Director of Recruitment Operations @ Baker Finn Recruitment | Digital Marketing, Human Resource Management
4 年Brilliant article Alan, very relevant to today.
Supply Network Planner at Johnson & Johnson MedTech
4 年Really helpful read - Well done Alan!