How to Bounce Back After Getting Rejected From a Job 

You made it through the application process, phone screen and multiple interviews only to get rejected from the job you were thrilled about. You may be discouraged, but you are not alone. A new survey from Joblist found that on average, successful job seekers applied for 10 to 15 jobs and received between 6 and 10 rejections when looking for a new role. If you made it to a formal interview, you should feel proud, as data shows that only about 5 out of 250 applicants actually make it to a face to face interview.  

No matter what stage you receive job rejection at, it can feel defeating. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to bounce back and find your next great career opportunity. Read below for our tips on re-starting your job search after getting rejected from a career opportunity. 

Send a Thank You Note

Despite any negative feelings you may have towards the company that you interviewed with, it is always a good idea to leave things on positive terms. A good way to do this is to send a thank you note to the individuals you interviewed with. You can also ask them to connect on LinkedIn and politely request to be considered for any future openings. By leaving things on a positive note, you can open up opportunities in the future and feel comfortable keeping in touch on any potential opportunities. For tips on wiring a thank you note, check out our blog, “Should You Send a Post-Interview Thank You Note?” 

Capitalize on Feedback 

While constructive criticism can be difficult to swallow at times, it can be a useful tool for self-reflection and improvement. Sometimes feedback will be provided automatically from the organization, while other times the company may not provide those details. In that case, you can professionally and respectfully ask the interviewer for information as to why you were not selected for the position. Having some insight into why you were not selected will help you identify any potential weaknesses or gaps that you may have and help you improve those for future opportunities.  

Reflect on Your Experience  

In addition to analyzing any feedback received, you will also want to take time to reflect on your experience. How did you answer the questions they asked? How do your skills and experience match up to the position? Thinking about these things and more can help you identify the reasons you may have not been successful in landing the job and shape your experiences for next time. For example, if you made it to the phone screen but didn’t ultimately make it to a formal interview, you may have not included information on your resume that matches the job requirements. It is also possible in that scenario that you might have answered some of the questions that were asked in a way that made the recruiter think you might not be a good fit for the role. Analyzing these scenarios may help you identify areas of improvement and ultimately help you do better next time.   

Take Action

Once you’ve had time to reflect on the reasons why you may not have previously been successful in the role, it is time to take action and continue in your job search. Start by researching open roles that are in your field of interest and fit your skills and experience. From there, continue to apply to companies that you are excited about the opportunity to work for. By casting a wide net, you can get your resume in front of more hiring managers. Additionally, consider other methods of job searching, such as networking. A shocking 60 percent of jobs are found through networking versus online. Professional organizations, volunteering and online forums are great ways to network with professionals that can ultimately help you learn more about jobs that you didn’t know were out there.  

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