How to Respond to Rejection as a Job Seeker

By Brandi Fowler

Job rejections can sting.?

It doesn’t matter if the notification comes quickly from your dream company or happens after a lengthy interview process, but seeing the words “We’ve decided to move forward with other candidates” in an email never feels good.

And yet, it is a common occurrence that job seekers face.

“First and foremost, rejection is going to happen,” Demisha Jennings , career strategist and certified résumé writer said. “I don't care who you are and how much experience you have, it's common and you have to be prepared for that.”

So, what is the best way to handle job rejection? Consider it a multi-layered process, a mix of responding to rejection emails appropriately, taking care of your mental health, and self-work to strengthen yourself as a job candidate.?

For insight on handling rejection, I chatted with Jennings, career coach LaTrice Huff , and Broda Coaching founder Adam Broda .

How to Respond to a Job Rejection Email

Before you start furiously typing on your laptop to respond to a job rejection email, take a minute to breathe and pull yourself together.

“Responses to rejection letters are twofold,” Broda said.

First, show gratitude. Second, try to get as much feedback as you can.

“You want to leave them with a good impression of your character, and how you respond to a rejection is a really good way to do that,” Broda said. “So, respond with the right attitude.”

Huff echoed that sentiment.

“I like the response to be something like, ‘Thank you so much for letting me know,’” Huff said. “‘I really enjoyed meeting you all. I would love to keep in touch.’”?

Huff said closing with a line about yourself is beneficial too. “Know your specialty, know the problem you solve with the company. Interject that one-liner followed by ‘I look forward to working with you in the future.’”

Broda also suggested looking for opportunities to collect feedback from anyone who interviewed you.?

“Try to learn where there was a gap or where improvement could potentially be made,” Broda said.?

Also key: keep in mind how to ask for that feedback.

How to Ask for Feedback After a Rejection

When you respond to your rejection email, include a line asking for feedback, or consider a different approach, Jennings said.?

“Besides asking why you were rejected, say, ‘It would be great if you could keep my résumé on file and reach back out for future opportunities,” Jennings said. “Or, ‘If you're willing to connect me with any other recruiters that may have any open roles, I would really appreciate that.”’?

Be direct and ask for what you want.

Also, keep in mind that hiring managers and HR professionals may skip providing feedback. Huff said to understand that the person you’re asking for feedback is human too.?

“They could be nervous. They could be scared. They could not like confrontation or they may not know the answer,” Huff said. “At some point, you have to be like, ‘OK, I sent the email, I asked for feedback. They gave me the runaround, you know what? I'm going to give myself my own feedback.’”?

If you don’t get an answer from a recruiter or hiring manager, you can deploy a self-evaluation about the interview process.

“I have 10 questions that I have my clients ask themselves,” Huff said. “‘Did you like the vibe of the company? Is this a company or the type of environment you want to work around if they can’t send you any feedback? Was there anything that didn’t go that well during the interview?”

Use those answers as insight as you move forward with the job search process.

You can also ask hiring managers during your interview process about how they communicate with their candidates.?

“I had a couple of clients ask for feedback during their interviews,” Huff said. “They asked if there were any questions or concerns about their background in those roles. The hiring manager told one of my candidates they were looking for someone with more specific experience in a certain area that wasn’t on the job listing.

“So, when she got the decline email, she said ‘OK. I know exactly what happened because she already had received the information from the hiring manager.’”

Hiring managers may be more open to giving quick feedback than a recruiter or an HR professional, Huff said, adding that it is OK to contact them about feedback if you receive none from HR.

“There’s a difference between a gatekeeper and a decision-maker, and HR typically is the gatekeeper,” Huff said. “The hiring managers are the decision-makers. They're probably going to be more likely to respond and give you something than a recruiter or HR professional.”

How to Move Forward After a Job Rejection?

After you’ve taken care of the response, continue to do personal work. In addition to a self-evaluation, identify ways to strengthen your résumé and cover letter, and perform a mental health check.

Start your next job search with the right perspective: “Anytime I enter a job search, or I give clients recommendations for that, we go in with the perspective that failure is a part of the process and not a result of the process,” Broda said. “There is so much outside of job seekers’ control that over-stressing and spending a lot of emotional calories on rejections doesn't make a lot of sense.”

Capitalize on failures when they occur: Have a framework for handling rejections.

“We try to come in with some questions or feedback mechanisms for when those rejections occur to help people get maybe even one percent better,” Broda said. “The mantra we teach is try to make a one percent gain from every single time you get rejected. Then, move on.”

Focus on improving during your job search: Work on yourself as a candidate by networking and revamping your résumé and cover letters.?

Try to connect with people who work in roles at companies you want to work for and learn from them. Broda suggested using LinkedIn, Ladders, Fishbowl, etc.? “Ask how they got to those positions, tips and tricks, and what they would recommend for somebody that has an interest.”?

Next, go on platforms like YouTube or LinkedIn Learning to improve your skills. Spending 30 minutes a week on résumé writing, etc., could help your job search.

Reach out to the people around you: “You never want to be alone on job search island,” Broda said. “It's a really easy way to burn out and get frustrated.”?

Instead, surround yourself with people who can help, whether friends, co-workers, or managers that you trust. If you become stuck, you can also seek professional services or help, Broda said.

Take a break when you need to: “When some people are job searching, they want to apply to seven jobs every day. Understand that when you get burnt out or tired, it's totally fine to take a break. Take a day off,” Jennings said.

As you go through the job search process, it is essential to remember rejection is common, and there is always a reason for that dismissal: there is a better job for you, and the right job is on the way.

(Editing by Todd Dybas )