You found the perfect job. Your resume and cover letter were stellar, you aced the interview, and you followed up with every person from the company you came into contact with. So when you find out that you didn’t get the job, you are understandably shocked and crushed. What you do next can make or break your job search. PS&R is here to help you move in the right direction after rejection.
Be resilient! It is natural to feel upset in this situation. Although you thought this job was “the one”, the truth is that it was not, and there are plenty of other opportunities where that one came from. Recognize your rejection but then move on. This likely is not your first rejection and might not be your last. Choose to show off your resilience by getting back out there and trying even harder this time.
Reach out. You’re disappointed and probably do not want to contact your interviewer. However, this is a great chance to reiterate how interested you are in the company. Send a quick email to thank them for the opportunity and ask what you might have done better. Showing your willingness to learn and grow will keep you in the forefront of their minds the next time they need to hire.
Stop overthinking. Being overlooked for this job does not mean you are not a great fit for another role. It’s easy to overthink all of your small actions in the process and wonder which one lost you the opportunity. But the reality likely is that you did nothing wrong, and those remorseful thoughts you are having are not productive!
PS&R’s executive recruiters know that being rejected for a job is normal and you are not alone. Choose to learn from the process and use this time to make necessary changes. The most important thing you can do is to stay confident!