“We’re moving forward with another candidate...” What’s next for you?

We’ve all experienced this. You put your everything into an awesome application, you’ve proofread cover letters, and submitted an application you’re truly proud of.  A couple of days later, you see that you didn’t get the job, as they decided to “move forward with another candidate”. 

It can hit you like a punch in the gut, especially if you really wanted that job. Sadly, professionalism can fly out of the window when you receive news you didn’t want. Remember to keep your cool here. If you lose it and get angry or upset, your behavior could come back to bite you, big time. You’ll not only look like an asshole, but you’ll leave them feeling justified in their decision to not hire you. Please don’t take their decision personally. Easier said than done I know, but if you’ve been reading several job ads, you’ll see that even when roles have the same title, each company’s wants and needs can vary. It’s not that there isn’t any space for you in your desired field, but what you’ve presented didn’t quite match up with what the company is seeking at this time.

Once you’ve read the email numerous times and eventually calmed down, think about what’s next. Personally, I’ve found responding with a request for feedback on your application to be helpful. You’ll rarely get a reply to be honest, but your email maintains the necessary professionalism I mentioned earlier. If you’re able to get feedback, it will help you develop your sense of self-awareness, which is always a plus. Try to locate where in your application you may have fallen short. It could be the skills listed in your resume or how you handled some interview questions, for instance. You’re not trying to beat yourself up over this rejection, but instead, you’re looking for areas where you can improve. Why not have a friend look over your application for a fresh, impartial set of eyes?

Practice makes perfect, especially with interviews! Job interviewing is one of those skills where it’s crucial to get as much practice as you can, so look at the positive: even though you didn’t get the job, you got valuable interview experience from it. As the saying goes, you shouldn’t ‘put all of your eggs in one basket’, which is true for your job hunt. You shouldn’t put all your effort into one application. Keep applying and you’ll land something eventually.

I wanted to close by mentioning the importance of mindfulness. Not only are good mindfulness practices essential for the job hunt, but also for managing stress and other mental health hazards that come with being immersed in the working world. A positive mental outlook is vital. You’ve not going to be offered every job you apply for, but it’s not the end of the world when you get turned down. In tandem with this outlook, you might want to consider other tools, such as keeping a mood journal, meditating, exercising regularly, or any hobby you can retreat to when things get too much. Personally, I’ve found great benefits from reading, as well as occasional meditation and yoga. Free guided meditation apps are worth looking into if you’re skeptical. 

I’m not a mental health professional, nor am I claiming to be one.  Mental health issues can affect us all, and what you’re feeling now may be part of a larger health concern. If you feel that’s the case, please seek professional help. There are a lot of great therapeutic resources out there.

As always, if you have any tips, questions, or comments, please let me know. You can also reach out or send me a request to connect on LinkedIn if you need someone to discuss ideas with. I wish you the best of luck, and please, don’t let things get you down!

So You’re Asked to an Interview…What Now?

After hitting the job market and spending tireless hours applying what you’ve read in the last two articles, now is the moment. You’ve got a call from the hiring manager asking when you’re available for a quick chat.

Interviews may look different these days, as more companies are conducting remote interviews with job candidates. As the saying goes, “fail to prepare, prepare to fail”, so here are some tips that you can use to make sure you get this job, whether the interview is in-person or over a video conferencing platform. You’ve got this!

1. Research the company. You’d be surprised how few people actually do this.  Unless it’s a brand that you already know inside out, you’ll need to look things over again. Not only will this help you with the following tasks, but you’ll also be able to answer interview questions with “I noticed on your website…” or “Looking at your product portfolio…”, which are both impressive! Like with your cover letter, it demonstrates that you have actually prepared for this interview and made an effort to commit these details to memory.

2. Review the job description and the resume you’ve submitted. Remember, the organization has already given you answers to the interview questions. Now, just as you did with the cover letter, think of examples when you’ve addressed these issues in your career. Try to quantify success where possible, whether that be an estimate or a firm figure. For instance, if you saw an 80% increase in sales, or if you were one of the higher performing team members last year, tell them! You’ll want to also look over your resume to familiarize yourself with dates, times, and other supporting details.

3. Remember the STAR method when you’re thinking of answers to questions:

   • Situation: Where you were or what you were doing

   • Task: What was the overarching goal you were working towards 

   • Actions undertaken: Be specific and focus on what you did 

   • Results you achieved: What happened and what improved

There are plenty of other acronyms and methods out there, but the bottom line is to underpin your relevant experience in a concise way. Don’t present your hiring manager with a stream of consciousness.

4. Dress to impress: It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed in an interview. If you really don’t know what the dress code is, inquire during your phone interview. These questions can show that you’re willing to buy into the corporate culture, as well as give you the information that you need. This may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to brush your teeth and take a shower. Finally, take a notepad and pen to the interview, even if you don’t jot anything down.

5. Handling the nerves: Interviews are nerve racking, even more so when you really want the job you’re interviewing for. Again, the best way to handle these jitters is through preparation. The person doing the interview is a person just like you. With that in mind, speak with them like an actual person, not a robot. Consider your tone as well. While I’m not saying talk to them as you would over a beer with your buddies, you don't need to be hyper formal either. Balance is key. Body language is also important. Keep a relaxed yet alert posture, and don’t forget to breathe! 

6. Think before you speak: I’d like to close out by reminding you that what you say is just as important as how you say it. You want to come across as sure in what you know and do, but not arrogant and cocksure. Try to reduce the filler words, those “umms” and “uhhs” (mine are “sort of” and “really”)  If you need to have time to think, just take a pause. You don’t need to fill every bit of silence with your speech. Ask for a glass of water when starting the interview, or take a bottle with you. When you need to think, or you’re drawing a blank, take a drink… or a dramatic pause. Lastly, don’t throw your colleagues or former employers under the bus. No matter what may have occurred on the job, remember those that helped you get to where you are now. If you do discuss them, do so with respect.

As always, let me know what you’ve found works for you. Likewise, if you have examples of when you’ve used any of these suggestions in the past, please share them for the benefit of other readers. Let’s try and help each other out here! Feel free to reach out through the site or via LinkedIn. Good luck!