Rejected for a role? Been there, done that!

Have you ever been rejected for a role, and felt slightly (or more!) crushed? We’ve all been there and faced rejection, so we know that the very best thing you can do is to learn from these experiences and turn them into positives. Make sure you use this as a learning opportunity for your next application or interview.

First things first: don’t take it personally

You were probably one of 5 – 10 people they interviewed after receiving up to 200 CV’s, so you already have the odds stacked against you. Unless you swaggered in chewing gum and with a toilet paper tail, it’s likely you were just plain unlucky. Heave a big sigh, regroup, and channel some positive thinking.

Ask for feedback

Asking the interviewer/HR department/recruitment company politely via email or a call can give you insights into exactly what the employer was looking for and where you might have fallen short. Sometimes it simply may not have been the right role for you, but it could be that you need to brush up on your skill set or perhaps you made an error you were unaware of. Whatever it is, you can learn and make changes for your next opportunity.

Review your CV

Is your CV right for the role you were going for? Have you fired off hundreds of letters and copies of your CV and received nothing by return?

Your CV needs to be up to date and showing you in the best light. Make it honest and precise, clearly formatted and highlighting your skills, and tailored to the role you’re after. Recruiters look at hundreds of CV’s, so you need to make it stand out, while highlighting everything you have to offer. At the very least, ask a friend to have a look through it, but you might need the help of a professional, who can analyse and assess your CV and make it jump out from the crowd and more readable, and perhaps give you more in-depth knowledge of the market you’re looking at.

How is your interview technique?

Did you do your research on the company and the role? Did you look online at their dress code so you dress like you’re already one of the team? Did you go in with enthusiasm (but not too much that you’re bouncing off the walls) and plenty of questions to ask about the role, their business and plans for the future? We all need some practice with interviews, so again, ask a friend to do a mock interview to help you get over any nerves, and so you understand how you come across to others.

No matter what happened, preparation is key. Aim for success, but be prepared to learn from failure. There’s always a next time!