It’s obvious the job market has fluctuated since pre-COVID-19; we are currently in a candidate-driven market, which means that despite all the roles available, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd.
However, even rejection can be an opportunity for improvement and we can learn what the market is looking for and the reasons we may not have gotten a job. So let’s take a deeper look at what you can do after being rejected as an applicant:
- Ask for feedback on your application from hiring managers, even after rejection.
- Evaluate yourself to see what you could have done differently. Knowing how to confidently handle interviews is a skill: the more you go through the process, get familiar with potential questions and assess your own answers, the more you will be likely to succeed in a job interview.
- And last but not least, don’t take it personally as your rejection might come down to the company; in fact, they may have already planned to hire internally, or the budget shifted, or they’ve simply postponed the hiring process to a later date.
Remember, some things will always be out of your control, no matter how much of a “perfect candidate” you are.
A Few Tips to Minimise your Chances of Rejection
Of course, in such a competitive market, it’s all about leveling the playing field, so here are a few tips our consultants can give you to minimise your chances of rejection:
- Make sure you follow the exact instructions given by a company when applying for a job. Sometimes the most qualified people are rejected just because of paperwork and not following directions.
- Make sure your CV is adapted to the job! Note any keywords in the description, and apply that to your resume; this makes an enormous difference with online applications that use tracking systems.
- Stay busy and keep on building your resume by picking up and learning new skills or required certifications while you’re in between jobs
We are always here to support you along the way, from interview advice to writing cover letters and resumes. So, don’t be afraid to reach out.
