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You have remained positive throughout the application and interview process and expected the offer for your dream job to be on its way. Instead, you get the dreaded “thanks, but no thanks” letter telling you that you have not been successful “on this occasion”.
It's important not to dwell on it – if you start going into job interviews expecting the worst then your negativity will be evident and you won't come across in your best light. So, when you receive a rejection letter, consider what you can learn from it and turn a negative into a positive – the next offer won't be too far away
Don't take it personally
Most people assume that their interview performance let them down but this is not necessarily the case. Since the interview, there are various circumstances that could have changed within the organisation.
For instance, budget restraints may mean that the advertised position has been phased out. Perhaps the company was able to fill the position internally. Or, maybe you were over-qualified for the position and the employer feared they would have to offer more money above and beyond their guidelines.
If you struck a good rapport with your interviewer then contact them to get feedback as to why you were unsuccessful. Their comments should be taken constructively and used to enhance your chances during your next interview. If you got the interview through an agency, they will have found out the reasoning behind the decision and will be able to offer guidance.
Remain positive
Henry Ford once said “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal” .
When you embarked on your job hunt you may have thought that it would only be a matter of time before landing the job that you want. But, now you find yourself continuing to make applications.
Don't let a setback distract you from the task at hand.
If I told you that 10 of every 100 people who play will win the lottery, would you keep playing because you think that your chances of winning are so high? Probably. But, what happens to your self-esteem when you keep playing yet fail to win? That's right, it sinks like a stone.
Now, suppose your odds of winning change to 1 in 10 million, would your self-esteem lower each time you lose? Probably not. This is because you knew what the odds were and approached the game with a ‘what-the-heck' attitude.
The point is that some employers can receive as many as 100 applications per vacancy and, the fact that you have been invited to an interview means that you were 1 of 10 or so other candidates short listed for the position. There's no reason to drastically change your approach or your attitude to the job search, just keep plugging away and you will have success.
The more rejections you get, the closer you are to that all-important ‘yes'. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, was rejected by over 100 publishers before her first novel was taken on – I'm sure a look at her sizable wealth shows the value of not giving up.