Handling Job Rejection Part 2: Simple Tips to Help Turn that ‘No’ Into ‘Know How’

While it can be difficult to find out you didn’t get the job, there is lots of hidden value in job rejections that can help make you a better applicant and more prepared for when you find the right opportunity. Find out how you can turn that job rejection into a new direction.

Initial reaction

Firstly, let's discuss how to respond and tackle the conversation when you find out you haven’t progressed or got the job. You may have heard the standard one-line rejections, ‘you are just not the right fit’, or ‘you don’t have enough experience’ or maybe even ‘you are overqualified and won’t be challenged in this role’. Whatever the reason is, it’s never easy hearing those words.

Whilst it’s okay to voice your disappointment, be mindful of being too honest or direct with your tone. It’s always best practice to thank the person for their time and the opportunity and wish them luck either in the recruitment process or with their new starter.

Taking this news respectfully and with grace highlights your good character and attitude and can leave a positive impression. This can be helpful in the future as you never know when other employment opportunities may present themselves.

Seek feedback

Before you end the conversation, it is always a good idea to dig a little deeper as to why you didn’t get the job or aren’t progressing to the next recruitment stage. Seeking feedback helps you understand the gaps in your application or interview skills and gives you a great insight into how you stack up against other candidates through a recruiter’s lens.

Questions to ask if you didn’t progress after job application stage

• Were there specific areas in my skills or experience that didn’t align with the requirements of the role?
• Can you provide some feedback about my job application? Was my cover letter/ resume easy to understand and did it provide enough detail?

Questions to ask if you didn’t progress after an interview

• Can you share some general feedback on my interview performance?
• Did I provide thorough and clear responses to your questions?
• What qualities/ experience did the successful candidate have?
• I’m still interested in the industry/ work you do, would you be willing to keep me in mind for future relevant employment positions?

Remember: Write down their feedback if you are speaking over the phone and thank them for their time. This will be helpful when you need to review later.

Action items

Once you have your feedback and insights around your performance, you can then turn that into an action plan to clearly outline what changes you need to put in place to make you a stronger/ more suitable candidate for future applications. Create a list of the feedback you received and write ideas on how you can improve each of those areas.

Here are some examples of common mistakes with job applications and interviews and some easy solutions:

No cover letter

With 40% of recruiters saying they would instantly reject a candidate who did not send a cover letter, this is an easy win. Cover letters should always accompany a resume and should be relevant and tailored to the position. Click here to read more about creating a personalised cover letter. There are also plenty of resources and templates you can find on our Resource Hub.

Cluttered and poor resume format

You have very little time to grab and hold a hiring manager's attention, so it's crucial that your resume is concise, clear, and easy to read. Click here to find out tips for writing a successful resume or visit our Resource Hub for more information.

Spelling and grammar mistakes

This will instantly put a bad taste in the readers mouth and will put your attention to detail and effort into question.

Having another set of eyes on your work is always a good idea. Not only can they check for grammar mistakes, but they may also be able to point out things that don’t make sense or are hard to understand. There are plenty of free spelling and grammar checker tools that you can run your job application through as another line of defence.

No or poor references

The majority of roles require references, and some employers may want them with your initial job application, so it’s always a good idea to have them ready before you start applying for jobs. Make sure you get permission to include their contact details and be selective in your choice. Ensure you pick relevant people who will give you the best chance at success. Remember, references don’t all have to be professional, you can use personal references as well, such as a previous teacher, coach or mentor.

Not following instructions

As it’s been said, never assume anything. Just because other job applications or interviews have followed a similar process doesn’t mean that one size fits all. Read the job advertisement, job description, email from hiring managers and any support documents closely. Highlight the instructional information and write down the steps you need to follow.

Information to look out for:

• File types and format of your application. Some recruiters prefer Word documents over PDFs or want just one document combining both your cover letter and resume.
  
• Specified email address to send your application to. Note: even if there is a submit/apply button still send the application to the email specified in the ad.
• Subject line - You should always name the email appropriately when submitting your job application.
• Interview timings and location – Remember, businesses often have multiple locations and offices and may even want to conduct interviews offsite. Make sure you know where you are going, how to get there and have allowed sufficient time.
• Things to bring – This could include your resume, previous work, references, pre-prepared presentations or materials.

Lack of professionalism and presentation

First impressions are key to the interview phase and really set the tone. Dressing professionally and conducting yourself in a professional manner are easy wins to start your interview on the right foot. Remember, you can speak to your Workskil Australia Employment Coach if you aren’t sure about what to wear or if you need help sourcing appropriate interview clothing.

Poor responses to interview questions

Interviews are a time for recruiters to dig a bit deeper to learn more about you, your experience and to build rapport to determine if you are the right fit for the team.

Providing well-rounded responses with clear points and examples is a good way to help make this easier for the recruiter. The best way to do this is to come to the interview prepared. Read through the job description and prepare relevant examples of how your experience matches the main tasks and responsibilities. Think about how you can weave in measurable outcomes or achievements. Click here for more information and help on how to prepare for your next interview.

Poor non-verbal cues

Remember, it's not just about what you say but what you do as well. Things to remember during your interview:

• Smile
• Maintain eye contact where appropriate
• Sit upright and have good posture
• Shake hands
• Avoid fidgeting
• Don’t cross your arms
• Show you are listening by smiling and nodding

Remember

There are lots of factors that go into job search preparation that you are critiqued on. Overall, the best approach is to be thorough and prepared before you hit submit on your job application and go into your interview. That way you are controlling the aspects in your power.

While this covers the practical tips for handling job rejection, if you would like to learn more about building resilience and maintaining motivation throughout your job search journey click here.

Workskil Australia Ongoing Support

The Workskil Australia team is here to support you every step of the way through the recruitment process, including when you don’t get the result you hoped for. Your dedicated Employment Coach can help keep you on track and assist with further training, qualifications, resume and interview prep to ensure you are ready for when the right opportunity comes your way. Contact us today or speak to your Employment Coach.