It is said that on average 118 people apply for a single job and only about 17 candidates are called for an interview. That being said, it is important to have a game plan for job rejection so if you find yourself in this position, you are prepared. We’ve compiled a list of steps to take post job rejection which, believe it or not, start before the interview.

 

  1. Create an Excel Spreadsheet

To begin, if you are applying for multiple positions, which is encouraged within reason, we strongly recommend you make a spreadsheet as a way of guidance. I say within reason because you want to apply for positions that would be a good fit based on your prior experience. If you have 6 years of customer service experience, you want to direct your job search in a similar direction with roles that share a similar skill set. It is important to know what positions you have applied for, with which company, and when you sent the application for tracking purposes. It can take anywhere from 7 to 14 days to hear back after applying, and any time after this it Is probably safe to assume you can switch focus to another position of interest.

 

  1. Ask for direction during the interview

As you are wrapping up the interview, it is a good idea to ask your interviewer what the next steps will be, so you know what to expect. Some positions require more than one interview so it is important to know a timeframe of when you can expect a call back if you are further considered. If you find yourself outside of this timeframe with no response it is encouraged to provide a brief follow-up call. If you still do not hear back after this it is again, safe to assume you will probably not.

 

  1. Ask for further clarification regarding your rejection

It is imperative that you remain gracious post rejection and appreciative of the interviewers’ time to refrain from burning bridges as you never know what the future could bring. Though, we recommend asking for further clarification on your rejection. It is important to have a better understanding of what you can improve upon for the future and it may give you peace of mind moving forward. This does come as a benefit to working with a recruiter because we can provide that clarification and give you tips and tricks for your next interview.

 

  1. Keep your head up

Do not get discouraged! Rejection is an unfortunate piece of the job search puzzle that we ALL face from time to time. It is easy to get discouraged, but just as important to remember that your rejection may have nothing to do with your qualifications. If you weren’t qualified for the role, you wouldn’t have gotten an interview in the first place. Your rejection could simply be due to your salary requirements, or that the company went in the direction of hiring internally. At the end of the day, you are looking for a position that will be your perfect fit and though it may seem out of reach at times, it will happen for you. The job search process can be daunting but you must stay motivated and hopeful!

 

For further assistance in your job search give us a call at (518) 275-4816 or simply apply online at www.walrathrecruiting.com.

 

 

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