Rejection of any form is never a nice experience to go through. For some, rejection can be quite soul destroying. We all face rejection in various ways in life but when faced with it, you should not let it affect you in a negative way. Instead you should use it as an opportunity to help you develop in the right direction.
To help job seekers, we will show you the 5 reasons why you could face rejection in your job search. These are to help you not only prepare but also help you understand some aspects that you may need to develop & work on.
1. You’re good but not right
With tough competition for jobs, you could be a good or even superb candidate but with so many CVs and applications being put forward there can be one that is more on target than you. The good news is you just have to keep tailoring your CV, cover letter & applications to the job you apply for.
2. Not looking the part
What you decided to wear or didn't wear for the job interview could be the reason you didn't get it. Interviews are about show you are the right fit for the job and company. When deciding your attire, make sure you think about the culture of the company. Wearing novelty items or bright coloured clothes to stand out may do more harm than good.
3. You came across as negative
A lot of candidates fall into the trap of letting either their frustrations/negative experiences of their last job or employer come out. Interviewers don’t want to see and hear negative candidates. They want optimistic & upbeat individuals. So don’t let your frustrations ruin your chances. Make sure you smile, enthusiastic and show the interviewer you would be enjoyable to have around.
4. Your needs can’t be met
During your interview you will be asked what you are looking for out of the job & company e.g. training, promotions, learning new skills. If you are asking for opportunities to progress when there are none then the company will think that they can’t offer what you need. Always be aware of the type of company/organisation you applying at and look at what you want and if they can meet it. Make sure you only mention things that the company can offer to not rule yourself out of the running.
5. Who knows?
Sometimes there are other reasons why your application wasn’t taken forward. It could be that the funding for the job didn’t happen, the company decided not to hire, the interviewer was in a bad mood that day, they already had an internal candidate lined up etc. There are some many factors that are just beyond your control it’s unhelpful to assume it’s all down to you.
If you are faced with rejection, next time think about these things:
To help job seekers, we will show you the 5 reasons why you could face rejection in your job search. These are to help you not only prepare but also help you understand some aspects that you may need to develop & work on.
1. You’re good but not right
With tough competition for jobs, you could be a good or even superb candidate but with so many CVs and applications being put forward there can be one that is more on target than you. The good news is you just have to keep tailoring your CV, cover letter & applications to the job you apply for.
2. Not looking the part
What you decided to wear or didn't wear for the job interview could be the reason you didn't get it. Interviews are about show you are the right fit for the job and company. When deciding your attire, make sure you think about the culture of the company. Wearing novelty items or bright coloured clothes to stand out may do more harm than good.
3. You came across as negative
A lot of candidates fall into the trap of letting either their frustrations/negative experiences of their last job or employer come out. Interviewers don’t want to see and hear negative candidates. They want optimistic & upbeat individuals. So don’t let your frustrations ruin your chances. Make sure you smile, enthusiastic and show the interviewer you would be enjoyable to have around.
4. Your needs can’t be met
During your interview you will be asked what you are looking for out of the job & company e.g. training, promotions, learning new skills. If you are asking for opportunities to progress when there are none then the company will think that they can’t offer what you need. Always be aware of the type of company/organisation you applying at and look at what you want and if they can meet it. Make sure you only mention things that the company can offer to not rule yourself out of the running.
5. Who knows?
Sometimes there are other reasons why your application wasn’t taken forward. It could be that the funding for the job didn’t happen, the company decided not to hire, the interviewer was in a bad mood that day, they already had an internal candidate lined up etc. There are some many factors that are just beyond your control it’s unhelpful to assume it’s all down to you.
If you are faced with rejection, next time think about these things:
- Don't jump to conclusions based on nothing more than your own insecurities.
- Give the recruiter a call and ask them what went wrong.
- You may be pleasantly surprised; it could be something simple to fix or a lucky escape on your part.
- Speak to your family and friends; they'll restore your confidence and help you bounce back fighting.