Steps to Take After Receiving a Job Rejection Letter 

Being rejected for a job stings, especially when you made it to the final round of interviews and thought you were a strong candidate. Just when you were looking forward to a job offer and picturing how your office would look, you receive an email or a letter telling you that the company hired someone else.

While your first reaction may be to lash out at the company or blame yourself, it’s important to learn from the experience and move on.

Consider these tips for following up on a job rejection letter and sticking with your job search until you achieve success.

Tips for Following Up on a Job Rejection Letter:

1. Consider responding. If you’re still interested in the company, it may be worth responding to their letter. Be sure to sound positive and ask them to keep you in mind for future opportunities.
   
   

2. Connect on LinkedIn. You could also ask the contacts you made while interviewing to connect with you on LinkedIn. Remind them of your interview and thank them for their time and consideration.
   
   

3. Check future openings. You’ve probably read letters saying that your resume will be kept on file. The truth is that it will probably be forgotten as time goes by. It’s up to you to watch the company website and other places where you can find the latest vacancies to apply for.
   
   

4. Ask for feedback. Companies may not want to comment on their hiring process, but there are some cases where you can collect valuable feedback. If you worked with a recruiter, ask them if they can tell you how the decision was made and what areas you may need to strengthen.
   
   

5. Evaluate your performance. Of course, a rejection can also be a chance to critique yourself. Examine the entire process from your resume to the final interview. Are there things you want to do differently next time?

Tips for Continuing Your Job Search:

1. Accept your feelings. It’s natural to feel hurt or irritated when you’ve been turned down for a position you wanted. Treat yourself with compassion and acknowledge your loss.
   
   

2. Talk it over. It may help to discuss the situation with a friend or a professional job coach. Focus on what you can do to make your next interview more effective.
   
   

3. Clarify your goals. Maybe you’re on the appropriate track or perhaps you would benefit from changing your approach. Think about what kinds of jobs you enjoy and what you’re good at. Expanding your options could uncover new possibilities or at least give you more practice interviewing.
   
   

4. Build support. Join a job hunting club or start one of your own. Let your family and friends know how they can help you.
   
   

5. Review your accomplishments. Boost your self-esteem by making a list of your past achievements. Carry it with you so you can remind yourself of the talents you can contribute.
   
   

6. Assess your finances. Maybe you’re concerned that your job search is lasting longer than expected, and your budget is growing tighter. Ease the pressure by exploring possible sources of side income and reducing unnecessary expenses.
   
   

7. Stay positive. Remaining cheerful will make you more resilient in handling rejection. Remember that you have the potential to be a valuable employee and a contributing team member.

Maintaining confidence and hope will help you to bounce back from rejections and use each experience to fine tune your job search strategies. If you network vigorously and consistently follow up on each lead, you can find more opportunities and increase your chances of finding a job you’ll love.