Beat the Blues After an Interview Bust: Tips to Regain Your Mojo.You prepped endlessly, nailed the interview, but still received the dreaded rejection email. As disheartening as it feels, don’t let a job interview rejection derail your search.
Reframe it as a learning experience and use these tips to bounce back stronger:
- Reflect on what you gained – Interview practice builds skills for next time. Review notes on what questions you faced.
- Ask for feedback – Politely reach out to request feedback you can apply to future interviews. But don’t argue.
- Identify growth areas – Note what you stuttered on or lacked knowledge of. Shore up these weak spots.
- Remember it’s a numbers game – There will be the right fit eventually. Keep applying and get in front of more hiring managers.
- Update your game plan – Evaluate if your prep strategy needs adjustment. Seek additional coaching if needed.
- Address interview nerves – If anxiety hurt you, work on practicing under pressure and stress management.
- Don’t take it personally – Hiring is tough. The match may just align better with another candidate.
- Be kind to yourself – Getting rejected hurts, but don’t dwell in self-blame. Validate yourself.
- Stay positive – Keep your energy up. Add encouraging notes around your workspace to stay motivated.
A template for responding to a rejection email,
“
Subject line: Thank you and looking forward
Dear [interviewer name],
Thank you for following up and letting me know about your decision to move forward with another candidate. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to update me.
While I’m disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to join [company] at this time, I want to express my gratitude for considering me. It was truly an honor to learn more about your team and the [role] position throughout the interview process.
I will eagerly watch [company] continue to thrive in the future. Please keep me in mind for any roles that may align well with my background. I would be thrilled to join your innovative team down the road. “
Warm regards,
With grit and perseverance, you can bounce back from a rejection. Analyze what went wrong, make improvements, and know your worth. Resilience in the face of setbacks will serve you well in your career. You got this!