#CareerCounsel: Not getting that dream role

Following on from our post yesterday, we wanted to continue on the theme of controlling your stress during a job search. What better way to do that then opening our #CareerCounsel doors once more?

Part of the job search will include interviews; lots of interviews. There may be a few stages to get through before you get a definitive answer. What happens if that answer is no? It can be crushing, especially if you were really sold on the role in question. Don’t fear…after all, negatives always shield the positives that are hiding shyly in the shadows.

I didn’t get the job. What should I do now?

Firstly, congratulate yourself that you were considered for interviews. It means you’ve got the foundation work of the application process solid enough to garner interest. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t continue tailoring your applications to each role, but it certainly means you’re doing it right.

Now is your chance to really evaluate WHY the application did not result in a job offer. Did the employer give you feedback? If you are working with a recruiter, are they able to chase down some detailed feedback on your behalf? Once you can establish why the interview did not work in your favour, you can apply this going forward.

What to evaluate

• Enthusiasm – Did you have enough enthusiasm to show why you would be a fit for the role? Simply revising your research about a company will mean you’ll be a lot more confident talking about it, and will appear more natural than listing a few facts you happen to remember.
• What tripped me up? - Interviews can be intense, so you’d be forgiven for leaving with a blur of memories as to what you even said. Reflection will really help you pinpoint what part of the interview left you uncomfortable, or unsure if your answers were up to par. Take the aspects of the interview you didn’t like and work on them. Confidence can be rebuilt with a simple push!
• Was it really for me? - There is a reason you didn’t get the job. It could have been the hiring panel didn’t feel it was the environment for you. Think of the positives of not being offered the role, and what it means for you going forward.
• March on! - Once you have reflected, the job field is yours to play on once more. Always remember your strengths, and what got you to the interviews in the previous application. After searching through the job market, you’ll really become familiar with the roles that really make you tick. You can begin weeding out the ‘I could do that…’ roles, and focus only on the ‘I WANT to do that…’ roles.
• It’s not you; it’s them – Cliché alert! In all seriousness, it’s always good to keep developing your approach to job applications, but sometimes it isn’t down to you at all. You might have been great, but there was simply one person who reached the finish line first. Unless you are given constructive feedback, the rejection alone should not be taken as feedback at all. Just remember, the REAL dream role is waiting for you too.