You have spent considerable time perfecting your CV, you have written the best cover letter you possibly could after researching the company religiously and you are as charming as ever in your interview…even if you believe that you have done everything possible to get the job, your efforts are unfortunately not always rewarded.
This obviously does not imply that there is something wrong with you or that you are completely useless. It could be simply that you have come up against another candidate who was a much better fit for the job.
A rejection can sometimes be very discouraging and you could be quickly inclined to give up, however you should definitely see it as a way of improving on your job journey.
1. Let Your Personality Shine Through
Although you want to demonstrate the skills that are relevant for the job in a job interview, the hiring manager is just as interested about you as a person. Be honest, sincere and showcase your personality.
If the hiring manager decides then you do not fit into the company culture, take this as a positive because ultimately you do not want to be in an environment that does not make you happy and you are comfortable in.
2. Be Inquisitive
Always ask questions in a job interview! There should always be a question and answer session in your interview so that you can ask about anything that has intrigued you and it shows that you are interested in the job, the company and maybe the hiring manager themselves.
The natural place for such questions would usually be at the end of the discussion, however if the opportunity to ask questions during the interview arises, then definitely take this moment. This highlights that you are actively listening to the interviewer and it also gives you the chance to control the direction of the conversation a little.
3. Share Information That Is Not Available On Your CV
If you have been invited to an interview, the recruiter has more than likely already read your CV. Therefore, there is no reason to repeat everything word for word. The interview is there to extend your information that you list on your CV and find out if your experience & personality can work in their particular business environment. Use this opportunity to discuss your professional achievements in more detail and relevant additional benefits to the job you are applying for.
4. Look For The Good In A Negative Situation
If you were not the selected candidate due to the hiring manager believing you wouldn’t be the right culture fit for the company, then they may have just pre-empted you starting a job that you weren’t going to enjoy further down the line. If you were simply rejected because you made a mistake, then take this away and you now know what to not do in the next interview.
Not every company is the ‘ideal company for you’. Keep looking at it positively and carry on applying and the right company will be somewhere.
5. Do Not Put All Your Eggs In One Basket
The interview goes well, you get on well with the hiring manager, therefore, you automatically assume that you have the job in the bag.
There is no doubt that you may be a great candidate for the post but there will be plenty of other candidates who have also applied for the job, at least 1 of which could be even more relevant. There are many factors such as a delayed start date or the role no longer being needed which could lead to your job process being lengthened.
If you are looking for a new job, do not rely on a single role, take advantage of any waiting time. It is not wrong to keep your door open and keep applying, the more applications you submit, the greater the chance of getting that job offer you want.
