When you don’t get the job, its not the end of the world. Sure it might be disappointing, but you can use it as an opportunity to make yourself better. The first thing you need to do if you don’t get the job is find out why. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what you did wrong and how you can improve for next time. That way you can use this to your advantage instead of letting it be a total waste of time and energy.
1) Appreciate their honesty
In some cases, you might not get a job because your skills and experience aren’t a good fit for what they’re looking for. It’s important to understand that just because one company didn’t think you were right for their team doesn’t mean that there isn’t a position out there for you. Give yourself some time to recover, then go out and continue applying to new positions in areas that are more of a match with your skill set. Stay positive about your ability and keep searching until you find a place where you can succeed. No one stays unemployed forever; everyone gets hired if they keep looking hard enough! Keep your head up after getting turned down!
2) Thank them for taking the time to interview you
It can be frustrating and disappointing to not get a job you want, but don’t take it personally. If you really want to work for a company, make sure to thank them in person or by email for their time and consideration. Sending an email allows you to address any concerns they may have about your application and provides you with an opportunity to reference anything in your application that didn’t get covered during your interview. If possible, reiterate that you’re interested in working at their company and would appreciate any feedback they might be able to give on why they didn’t hire you. (Answered here)
3) Express your interest in working with them in the future
If you don’t get a job, consider asking for advice about why you weren’t selected for an interview. This isn’t just a good way to learn what you might do differently next time, it’s also an opportunity to express your interest in working with them in the future. If they’re truly interested in recruiting and hiring great people, they’ll want to help you develop yourself as an employee. This can be a step toward them remembering your name when they have another position open!
4) Ask why you did not get the job
If you don’t get a job, or interview for one, ask for feedback on why. Often people will tell you honestly what they thought of your work experience or what improvements you need to make before trying again. Even if they dont give you an answer, asking is still better than feeling anxious about it and wondering what happened. And try not to take it personally—it’s just business. Answering these questions may not always be easy, but your potential employer has nothing to gain by telling you that he or she didn’t think your resume was very good-looking or that he prefers hiring people who are 6 feet tall.
5) Express your enthusiasm for their business
That should never stop! Although it may sting to be passed over for a job, remember that there are more jobs out there and you can always express your enthusiasm for their business. Even if you don’t end up working with them directly, they’ll remember your kind words and will think of you next time they need help. Always make sure that no matter what happens at an interview, you continue being professional and enthusiastic about that company and their business in general. You never know when another opportunity will come knocking on your door.
6) Ask if there are other opportunities in their company that match your skills better
If you don’t get a job, don’t despair. Instead, ask if there are other opportunities in their company that match your skills better. For example, if they think you’d be a great fit as an account manager but they have no openings in that department, could they recommend you to another department? And when might it be a good time to follow up again? You can use your rejection as fuel for future success. Even though it hurts now (no doubt about it), these rejections may not mean there’s something wrong with you – just that for whatever reason at that particular moment there was a better fit elsewhere. Do what you can to learn from them and move on quickly.
7) Set an appointment to follow up later on, let them know when and how they can reach you again.
One of our favorite sayings is, Let him who has never had a job he really wanted not get one he really needs. While that may seem a bit cynical, it’s actually just pragmatic advice. If you didn’t get hired for your dream job (or even an adequate job), don’t despair. There are still plenty of actions you can take to keep growing and striving. For starters, set an appointment to follow up later on, let them know when and how they can reach you again. If your application was successful or if there’s another position you think you’re qualified for at that company, express those thoughts as well!
8) Create a portfolio of what you have done and how it matches what they need so you are ready when they need you.
If you didn’t get a job interview, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to hire you. In fact, many hiring managers are already excited about your potential and may even have identified a role for you in their company (that’s why they wanted to talk to you). But for whatever reason, it didn’t work out. To make sure it does work out next time, follow these 10 steps when you don’t get a job interview. They’ll help you learn from what happened and make sure there’s no lingering doubt in their mind that hiring is a good idea.
Conclusion
Even if you don’t get a position, you are valuable in your own right. There are many small victories to celebrate after an interview and several ways to come out ahead, even when it doesn’t work out with one employer. Recognize that what happened is just as much about them as it is about you, and remind yourself that there will be another opportunity around every corner. If nothing else, learn from what happened and use it to propel your future success!