Instead of falling victim to your frustration, you can turn this situation into a positive. But how? Here are a few tips for recovering after not getting the job:
1. Step Back & Reflect On The Situation
"Take a deep breath," says J.T. O'Donnell, founder and CEO of Work It Daily. "They didn't say, 'No, not ever.' This wasn't a personal attack on you. They just said, 'No, not today.'"
You need to realize that a lot of talented people applied for that job, and the fact that you made it to the very end is awesome. Just because you weren't considered the "perfect" match doesn't mean you weren't a great match. Take a step back and get some perspective on the situation.
2. Step Up & Be Thankful
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"You need to step up now and show your character, your authenticity—prove that you mean what you said," says O'Donnell.
Send a note thanking the hiring manager for letting you know you weren't selected and let them know you're happy they found a great candidate. Even though this might be hard for you to do, it's very important that you take that responsibility, according to O'Donnell.
Also, let them know you're still interested in working for the firm in the future and touch base with them every now and then. Make it clear that you'll be proactive in your efforts to work there, even after getting rejected this time. It's going to show them that you really are the professional you said you were during the hiring process.
3. Don't Let Your Pride Get In The Way
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"It's really easy to say, 'Forget them! They had their shot!'" says O'Donnell. "But you know what? You know you want to work there, it's just that your feelings are hurt."
Don't let your pride get in the way. You need to push it aside and be the bigger person. Focus on the future. What if another job opens up at the company? If you really were one of the top choices, they may just call you and skip the hiring process altogether. Wouldn't that be nice?
We understand how soul-crushing not getting the job can be, especially if you've been looking for a job for months. Keep your head up. The right job opportunity for you is out there.
In the meantime, we hope these tips will help you recover from the disappointment that comes with a long job search. You got this!
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
