How to Deal with Job Rejection and Plan Next Steps

Most people have experienced job rejection. Unfortunately, this can be quite disheartening. However, it can also be seen as a great opportunity to improve yourself as a candidate and go on to find a position that’s an even better fit for you.

The hiring market is very competitive and many highly-qualified candidates get passed over. If you got to the final interview stage, it was likely a very small thing that drove them to hire another candidate. Even if you were rejected at the application stage, don’t get discouraged from applying again for a similar position. You may just need to adjust your application documents or gain a few additional skills.

When dealing with job rejection, keep the following timeline in mind:

1. Deal with the rejection

2. Ask for Feedback

3. Analyze your application and performance

4. Use that information to improve yourself as a candidate

5. Plan the next steps and move forward with your search

In this blog, we will explain how to go about each of these stages to effectively deal with job rejection, improve yourself as a candidate, and plan the next steps to gaining your dream job.

1.   Take Time to Deal with the Rejection 

If the rejection affected you significantly, take some time to deal with that. A good way to do so is by talking to a friend or family member. 

Although you may be upset, be sure to always be polite toward the hiring manager/recruiter you’re in contact with. Job denial is never personal. Companies understandably need to find the person that is the best all-around fit.

There may also be a future position you’d like to apply for at the company or they may keep you in mind for other openings, so you don’t want to damage that relationship. 

The hiring market is very competitive and many highly-qualified candidates get passed over.

2. If Possible, Ask for Feedback 

You need to understand what happened during the application process that made the company decline you and how you can learn from it. You should analyze your performance and application yourself, but if you feel that the hiring manager/recruiter would be able to extend their time, you may ask them directly for feedback; if this request seems appropriate and does not place any inconvenience on their schedule.

Doing this can help to pick up on something that you didn’t notice and will allow you to understand the exact reason why you were not selected for the position.

Reasons for not being selected may include that you weren’t qualified enough or that you were qualified enough but didn’t seem like culture fit. These reasons alone are quite different and will differently affect how you move forward in your job search.

If you have a few rejections in a row, be sure to step back and see what could be missing in your application. One rejection could be due to another candidate slightly outshining you. But multiple rejections likely mean you need to adjust your application for that type of position, improve your skills and experience, and/or look at a different type of position.

If the reason for not being offered the position was that you weren’t a good culture fit, consider looking at different types of companies or thinking about how you can present yourself and your values better in the future. Unfortunately, there is not much more you can do to adjust yourself and your application to be a good culture fit. However, remember that if the hiring manager thinks you wouldn’t necessarily fit in well, you may not have been happy in the position.

If you have a few rejections in a row,

step back and see what could

be missing in your application.

3.   Make Use of the Feedback and Analysis 

Reflect on the feedback you’ve received and on your own evaluation of your application and performance. Then keep that information in mind for future positions by using the feedback to alter your application documents and fill in gaps to help best showcase your experience and background.

If you were denied an offer at the final interview stage, you may need to slightly improve your interview technique or gain a skill that will set you apart from other candidates. 

Consider how you can present yourself even better at each stage and what additional experience/skills you could gain to be a better all-around candidate.

The following three areas are what you’ll most likely need to adjust after considering feedback received: 

Edit Your Resume and/or Cover Letter

If you were rejected at the application stage and didn’t get an interview, you’ll probably need to edit your resume and/or cover letter. 

Some things to consider for creating strong and stand out resumes and cover letters include:

• Personalize your resume and cover letter for each job description.

• Use keywords in your resume and cover letter that are found in the job description (as long as you possess those skills/qualities).

• Include as many skills and qualifications that you have that relate to the job position. 

• Don’t include qualifications, skills, or experience that don’t relate to the job you’re applying for.

• Keep both documents short and to the point. Aim for two to three pages at most for your resume and just one page for your cover letter. 
  

Fill in Missing Skills and Experience

One reason for rejection is that you lacked experience and/or were missing certain skills needed for the role. Consider volunteering for programs that would add to certain skill sets for positions that you might want to apply for in the future.

If you’re currently employed, try to take on more tasks, especially those that match the requirements of your desired job. Even if you’re looking at a career change, you may be able to find a task that can show you have certain experience such as leadership experience. Additionally, consider an online or night class to gain the required skills. 

If hiring companies request a portfolio or work samples, you could run your own project and show the results if you cannot undertake this type of project at your current job. This shows that even though you haven’t had the opportunity to conduct these tasks in a work environment, you can do them successfully and with great results. 

Adjust Your Interview Techniques 

If you were rejected at the interview stage, you may need to adjust your interview technique. Firstly, ensure that you make a good impression. Arrive on time, dress professionally, and be friendly and polite.

When in the interview be sure to provide brief but detailed answers. Use lots of examples and make sure you explain the situation in which you have the experience, the task(s) you completed, the actions you took, and the results you got in the end. 

Additionally, ask insightful questions yourself and always follow up to thank the interviewers for their time. 

Use

feedback to alter your application documents and fill in gaps to help best showcase your experience and background.

4.   Plan Next Steps and Move Forward with Your Search 

Refine Your Search 

Once you’ve dealt with the rejection and made use of feedback and personal reflection, you can start thinking about the next steps and looking for more job opportunities. 

Think about everything you’ve learned both on personal reflection and feedback from the hiring company. You can then fine-tune your search for jobs that are a better fit.  

The rejection may have also made you realize that this isn’t the right type of job for you. You can then adjust your search to focus on a different position or industry. 

At this point, you may want to consider working with a recruitment agency if you aren’t already. Recruitment agencies will be able to match you to the best positions for your skill set and personality. They will also be able to help you fine-tune your application and interview technique and are likely to present you with jobs you wouldn’t have found alone. 

Remain Positive and Determined 

Try not to feel too down about being denied an offer for this particular position. Determine what went wrong and how you can improve and then move on to applying for other positions. 

Be sure to review your resume, cover letter, and any other application elements such as a portfolio or website and improve as needed.  

Taking feedback into consideration will make you a better candidate for the next positions you apply to. So, this experience can actually improve how you appear as a candidate and could land you an even better job.  

Don’t be Afraid to Apply to the Same Company Again

If you still feel that the company that didn’t hire you is one you want to work at and their issue wasn’t a culture fit (which can be hard to improve on), don’t be afraid to apply again for future openings.

However, don’t apply to every open position they have. Only apply to those that are in line with the one you applied for originally or that considers feedback. 

For example, if you applied for a marketing manager position but they said you weren’t experienced enough, you could apply for a marketing coordinator position that comes up. But don’t apply for every single marketing related job they post. This can make it seem like you don’t have one field of expertise and one field you’re passionate about and that you just want any job.

In Conclusion 

While rejection is disappointing, it can be an opportunity to improve yourself as a candidate and move on to find an even better employment opportunity. Consider that this negative experience can prove to benefit your future planning in how you approach job searches. Take some time for yourself to re-group your thoughts and approach so that job searching becomes part of an overall daily schedule and not the only project.