Handling rejection: What to do next when you don’t get the job
What with tailoring your CV, filling in answer boxes, completing assessments and sitting down for an hour-long interview, we know how hard you work on every job application.
It’s a part of why, sometimes, rejection can feel personal. It can be difficult, but it’s an inevitable part of building your career, and it’s important to remember that rejection from a role doesn’t define you, or your future.
When you’re applying for a lot of roles, it’s not all going to be smooth sailing with job offers flying at you left right and centre. No, you need to gear up for a bumpy ride. So, here are our top tips for dealing with those disappointing, but completely normal, rejections.
Firstly, allow yourself to feel disappointed. You’ve probably invested a lot of time and hope into your application. It’s normal to feel upset or disheartened if you get a ‘no’ back. Acknowledge it, accept it, but don’t dwell on it.
Secondly, ask for feedback. It’s not guaranteed, but some employers will happily provide you with detailed feedback if you ask politely. This can help you identify gaps in your experience, or how you could improve your interview approach, ready for your next application.
Thirdly, reflect on your experience, and be objective. Being kind to yourself is important, but don’t just reel off reasons to make yourself feel better. Instead, ask yourself:
Did I tailor my CV and cover letter to this role? Was it clear enough?
Did I accurately demonstrate my experience, motivation, and how best I could fit this role during my interview / assessment?
Where are my knowledge gaps, and where can I improve? Are there skills I can strengthen or is there more experience I can gain to more confidently apply for similar roles?
Finally, try to keep everything in perspective. Employers choose candidates for a whole load of reasons, and you won’t be privy to them all. Some of their reasoning can be very nuanced, for example your ability may have been there, but there were slight differences in sector experience, or their existing internal team fit, when it came to you versus another candidate.
Remember that every application and interview is an opportunity to practice and hone your skills, building your confidence and clarity about what you actually want from your graduate career.
The right opportunity will come along at the right time, and we’ll be here to support you along your journey to success!