Personal Development

Handling Job Interview Rejection: How to Move Forward


Rejection is a natural part of any career, whether you’re searching for your first job or transitioning as an experienced professional. While it can be frustrating, rejection often brings valuable lessons.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how to view rejection as a chance to grow and move forward with renewed motivation.

Receiving a Rejection

Case: You’ve had a job interview, a week has passed, and you’ve received a rejection. It’s not the result you were hoping for. You’re aware that you need to continue your job search.

Tip: If possible, contact the recruiter and ask for feedback. This can help you understand where you can improve.

Explanation: Constructive criticism can be hard to accept, but it’s crucial for personal and professional growth. This type of feedback doesn’t just highlight what you didn’t do well but offers specific guidance on how to improve.

Destructive and Constructive Criticism

The difference between destructive and constructive criticism lies in its purpose – destructive criticism simply points out flaws, while constructive criticism provides solutions. It’s important to remain calm and open to feedback, even when it’s surprising or not entirely pleasant. Even if the criticism doesn’t seem entirely accurate, thank the person for providing it. This shows professionalism and a willingness to learn.
Don’t jump to conclusions or feel overwhelmed right away. After the interview, take time to process the feedback and reflect on it calmly.

Analyzing Feedback

Once you’ve had time to rest and let your thoughts and emotions settle, it’s good to analyze what happened. Sometimes rejection seems like a result of bad luck, but there are always factors we can analyze to understand why it occurred. Ask yourself honestly – “Was I adequately prepared?”, “Did my skills and experience meet the job requirements?”.

Identify areas for improvement. Did you struggle with technical questions? If so, it might be time to upgrade your knowledge through courses or freelance projects.
Did you present yourself effectively? Perhaps you need to work on communication skills or building confidence during interviews.

It is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Job hunting and everything that comes with it is a long-term process. You’re running a marathon, not a sprint. Staying motivated and moving forward isn’t always easy. First, set short-term goals. Instead of focusing just on the end goal (landing a job), break your path into smaller, achievable steps.
• Review and update your CV after each selection process based on new insights (if there are any, of course).
• Learn new skills. Set one or more courses that you can complete in the next few months.
• Do networking. Set a goal to connect with a certain number of people in your industry each month through professional social networks, but don’t forget offline networking either. If there are interesting events related to your field nearby, consider attending them.

Building Resilience

Another important factor in maintaining motivation is building resilience. Failure is a stepping stone to success and building resilience means the ability to bounce back quickly after setbacks.
One way is through mindfulness or physical activities that help relieve stress, or through something else that works for you.

Community support is crucial in these situations. Connect with friends, colleagues, or mentors who have gone through similar challenges. Their support and advice can be invaluable and help keep you motivated.

Conclusion 

Rejection isn’t the end of the road but part of the process that leads you to a better opportunity. With proper analysis of feedback, acceptance of criticism, and adopting strategies for progress, you’ll be better prepared for the next steps in your career.

Miroslava Mitić

IT recruitment consultant

A woman with a smile holds two letters, 'B' and 'G', symbols of the BlueGrid company.

Miroslava Mitić

IT recruitment consultant

I am an IT recruitment consultant at BlueGrid, specializing in matching top-tier professionals with transformative opportunities in the tech industry. From developers to architects and beyond, I excel in sourcing, screening, and placing candidates in roles that propel their careers forward. As a dedicated partner to candidates, I provide personalized guidance and unwavering support throughout the hiring process, ensuring a seamless and empowering experience at every step. Ready to join BlueGrid? I can’t wait to meet you.

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