You Didn’t Get the Job. Now What?

Seeking out a job can be stressful and sometimes you make it to the interview stage, perhaps you’re even a finalist for a job, but you don’t get it. What do you do then?

This can be a discouraging time and you might be tempted to give in to despair but allow yourself to experience your emotions before taking the next steps. Here are some ways to deal with the disappointment of learning you did not get the job.

Take some time to process. You might be surprised to learn you didn’t get a job you felt well-qualified and prepared for, and subsequently feel sad or discouraged. There is no right way to experience the feelings around being turned down for a job that you wanted. Allow yourself some time to feel what you feel and experience what you experience without judgment.

It’s not personal. The sooner you understand that the decision is not personal, the better. There are many factors that companies and businesses take into account when they hire someone, and often a company has to turn down multiple highly qualified candidates for a job. You didn’t get the job but it’s not a reflection on who you are as a person and the value you bring. It wasn’t the right fit. Another position and employer might be a better fit.

Seek out feedback. Though you should not take it personally that you did not get the job offer, there still might be some issues for you to work out. Seek out feedback from the interviewer, if possible, to learn why they chose another candidate and to receive a critique of your interviewing skills. Use this as an opportunity to gain some insight as you move forward.

Reevaluate. This can be a great time to reconsider your strengths and interests, and to reevaluate your professional goals. It might also be the time to think about entrepreneurship and starting your own business.

Move forward. Once you’ve taken the time to process the disappointment about the job, and you’ve reevaluated your goals and career objectives, take even small steps to move you in the direction you want to go: revise your resume, apply for another job, take a class, apply for a business loan. Moving forward will help you remain optimistic and prevent you from getting discouraged.