“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!