Making The Most Out Of Job Rejection

Dear Christine,
I've been in the job application process for several months now without success. Most of the time, I don't hear back from potential employers unless I initiate a call. Usually if I get them on the phone, they say something like they have filled the position or are no longer hiring. What is the appropriate response to that? Also, is there any follow-up necessary after I receive a voicemail stating that I was not extended a job offer?
- Trying to make the most out of rejection, 25

Dear Trying to make the most out of rejection,

First, I want to acknowledge you for the approach you are taking to not being hired. In this challenging job market, I've noticed the reactive habit many individuals indulge in is to just complain about not being hired which squelches motivation. I commend you for being proactive by looking at how you can make the most out of the opportunity of not getting a job rather than taking a defeatist attitude. That alone demonstrates your motivation and determination and will support you in getting a "yes" a lot sooner.

When a potential employer says they have either filled a position or are no longer hiring, the natural human response is just to say, "Okay, thank you" because our ego is triggered and we tend to interpret it as rejection. Be aware of (and prepared for that) and set the intention to stay out of your ego. Reframe the "no" as a "yes" to receive feedback or create an opportunity for future communication. If you are being told the position has been filled by someone else, consider saying something like, "Congratulations on finding a great fit and I appreciate the time you spent considering me. As I continue to job search, it would be extremely valuable if you could share any feedback about what made you hire the person you did." Any information you can receive about why someone else was more qualified or more of a fit will be helpful to you in terms of what types of jobs to apply for and what skills or experiences to highlight in future applications and interviews. Depersonalizing not getting hired for a job and being able to ask for feedback in a neutral, non-defensive way creates a great opportunity that keeps you moving in a direction of expansion (by learning) rather than contraction (by getting upset).

If the response you get is that they are not hiring at this time, consider saying, "I understand and thank you for getting back to me. I'd love to follow-up with you in a few weeks to see if anything has changed. Would that be all right with you?" If the person agrees, mention a specific date you will contact them.

When you receive a voicemail message about not getting a job, yes, I encourage you to follow-up by calling back until you can get the person on the phone. If someone else answers their phone or you get voicemail, request setting a five minute phone call to thank them for their time and consideration. The same advice then applies for how to respond to the reason they give for not hiring you.

I understand that the job search seems particularly daunting right now and I encourage you to keep focusing on what you CAN do to keep the momentum going. You are asking great questions already. Every day take another step forward and trust that eventually you will receive the call where you hear, "You're hired."

-Christine
Send your questions to christineAThuffingtonpost.com

Comments

[oakley9]

I think job hunting success is still about networking. Getting to know more people and putting it out there that you're looking for a position really helps. It's as if the universe responds when you venture out beyond cyberspace to make contact. I personally have never gotten a position solely through an ad or with submitting or sending my CV and cover letter unsolicited. I've always had better luck on foot, with a handshake, a smile and a personal reference. It's also more fun.

[Eric8869]

The important rule here is to be classy at all times. I interviewed for a company - got along well with all the people I interviewed with (there were about 5 or more) - I sent nice thank you letters to each one of them.

When they told me they hired somoene internally - I thanked them and told them how I appreciated the interview process and meeing everyone.

Guess what? The next job opening - they called me back and said "If you still want a job we have an opening" and I took it.

If I had been a hurt or upset jerk at the original rejection I would never have gotten the oppotunity. Now I work for one of the best companies in the U.S. in a job I love.

Don't burn a bridge ... even if you feel like it.

[forpeace]

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Why not look for new opportunities and jobs (although it is very hard these days) instead of wasting time and energy to think about Job Rejections?!

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[KillTheMessenger]

What am I to do? I never got a rejection...

:-)

[Eric8869]

You will

[SonofLiberty1]

That's a laugh in a half and here's why:

You can't get rejected if there aren't any jobs to apply too:(
After a hiatus of several months ( I'm a prime caregiver for an elderly parent )
I decided to see what was out there, so I logged back into monster.com under customer service.

I found very few job postings, some of them were irrelevant ie, I have no idea why a job for a lawyer comes up under customer service?

At any rate, what I did see was numerous postings of job opportunities working for the local Philadelphia are conveinence store called

WAWA....

Not everyone of us enjoys or is good at being a cashier.....

[TooLooze]

Unfortunately, many employers don't have the courtesy to even reject you personally or at all. The world of internet recruiting means that employers can accept resumes and applications and give the applicants no way to contacting them farther.

[wolfgangmo]

A pox upon all companies that use blind email and voicemail drops.