How to Cope When You Don’t Get the Job

The interview went well. But they’ve chosen to go in another direction and for someone else.
You have everything they’re looking for and even more. Exactly how could any sort of applicant be a better fit?
Instead of obtaining all worked up pertaining to it, take this as a possibility for development. Right here are a couple of tips that might assist:

1. Remember it’s for the best. Individuals making this choice know just what they’re trying to find more that you do. Whether you see it or not, they do not think you’re a match. Rely on the fact that they know the role and their company well enough to gauge who to best employ. It’s better that you know now. Wouldn’t it be dreadful to begin a new job simply to swiftly discover that it’s not for you? The decision-makers are trying their hardest to make sure it’s the ideal point for everyone included, as well as they’ve likely saved you a lot of trouble. Now you may move on and discover something that better fits your abilities and individuality.

2. Next time, don’t get your hopes up. An interview isn’t a job offer. It’s an invitation to be considered. Even if you’re certain you’ve aced the interview, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Keep the job search moving along. Convincing yourself that this is “the one” only sets you up for heartache later on. Wouldn’t you rather be pleasantly surprised than disappointed? Once the interview is done, it’s out of your hands. Stay positive, but don’t dwell on it and don’t hold your breath.

3. Be thankful for the practice. Interviews get easier the more you do them. You’ll get more confident with each one. This was just another opportunity to practice your skills—and practice makes perfect.

4. Ask for feedback. There’s nothing wrong with asking what influenced the decision. If you have the opportunity, ask for feedback. A few helpful questions include:

• What were the deciding factors?
• Is there something specific that made you feel I’m not the right fit for this role?
• Would you have liked to see something different from me during the interview or in my skill set?
• Would you be willing to share what differentiated the successful candidate?

5. Don’t second-guess yourself. Critically evaluate your interview performance and make sure you really feel confident in how you presented yourself. Make a few tweaks here and there if needed, but don’t second-guess yourself. These things happen. You can’t win them all, especially in a job market like this. Do what you can to make yourself more competitive, but don’t obsess. The next time you walk into an interview, keep that same level of confidence you had before.