Handling Rejection After a Great Interview

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice


You walk out of the job interview feeling confident, secure in the fact that you impressed the hiring manager and proved yourself as the most qualified candidate. You wait for the phone call, but instead, you get that dreaded letter. "Thanks for your interest, but the position has been filled." Nobody likes rejection, but there are ways you can make this negative experience positive. Consider these tips for handling rejection.

1. Recognize Your Emotions

It's okay to feel disappointed, upset or even angry after a job rejection, but it's important that you don't dwell on these emotions for too long. Channel your negative feelings in a fun, constructive way. For example, take a short break from the job hunt and engage in a fun hobby or activity to give yourself time to recharge. This helps you return with a positive outlook.

2. Keep in Contact

If you receive a rejection email from the hiring manager, thank him for the opportunity to interview and ask him to keep you in mind for future job opportunities. Never respond to the hiring manager with an unprofessional tone or rude response, as you may find yourself face-to-face with him in another job interview in the future.

3. Focus on Other Opportunities

Don't hold out hope for that one dream job. Keep your options open, and seek out promising positions within multiple organizations. Pinning all your hopes to one job sets you up for a bigger let down if you do face rejection from the potential employer.

4. Review Your Resume

Take the time to read over your resume and make necessary changes before going to another job interview. Make sure your skills and qualifications match up with the jobs for which you're applying, and check for any inaccuracies, grammar issues or spelling errors. Be sure to tweak every resume you send to tailor it to the position and employer.

5. Assess Your Interview Skills

Think back to the job interview and ask yourself what you could have done differently. Were you sending the wrong body language? Did you fail to show enthusiasm? Did you sell yourself and establish your personal brand? Think about how you responded to certain questions. Consider asking the hiring manager for some feedback on your job interview skills.

6. Maintain a Routine

Create a job search routine that works for you, and stick to it. Spend some time every day scanning job postings, networking with prospective employers, sending out resumes, reading industry articles or perusing career-related social media sites.

Getting rejected by an employer after a successful job interview serves a big hit to your ego. Don't let it get you down. Follow these step for handling rejection so you can bounce back and continue your job search with a positive attitude.


Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for the comments. @Viola T - bless you! All the best in the job and it lets the rest of us know that we are never too old to get a job. The only thing that we can do, as we get older, is to modify our resume and make it look as young as possible. Try to cut out as many dates as you can. If they ask for HS graduation date and the dropdown doesn't go far enough, move on. The rule of thumb today is to only include the past ten years of employment and to keep your resume to about one page in length. When you do find a position of interest, make sure that you are checking the company out before you apply. If you see all millennials in the company, it's probably not a good fit. The jobs are there. It's just a matter of finding one that works for you. All the best.

  • Viola T.
    Viola T.

    Keep trying to find a job as I am 75 years nurse and recently got hired by Epic Health, passion in working is a gift, never never Quit!! 😇

  • Oscar V.
    Oscar V.

    I am 58 and also feeling as i am being over looked due to age.

  • Sharon F.
    Sharon F.

    I am 58 and am having a hard time finding work. Very discouraging

  • Susan Bauman
    Susan Bauman

    I feel exactly the same way & I’m 58. Oh yeah, I’ll find something working in a grocery store maybe. It’s becoming quite disappointing.

  • Alyssa Lopez
    Alyssa Lopez

    I will be 48 this next month and I feel that I am over looked for 20 year old's Its kind of sad.. But we will all find something .

  • Denise J.
    Denise J.

    I feel like thats whats happening to me. I turned 56 on the 6th of tbis month and i do believe thats why im not getti g hired. Im a good ,dependable employee

  • Rebecca L.
    Rebecca L.

    Rejection is even worse when you know you have been discriminated against due to your age.

  • Bill L.
    Bill L.

    Maybe I"ll do better next time!

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