In Case of Unsuccessful Interview
12 December 2011
Read by 2250 persons
You were sure you had performed ideally during the interview, and yet the veto falls at the last stage of the long recruitment process. The frustration is all the more intense, but do not let yourself be overwhelmed by a feeling of personal failure. The art lies in finding a balance between relativism and objective criticism. First of all, remember that you have been rejected from only one job, and that this is not a sign of rejection of your person. Take advantage of it instead to understand what may have led to such a decision and then adapt an action plan accordingly.
At this stage, you can contact the recruiter who did not retain you, not to express your grievances, but to help you understand what you need to improve during future interviews. Tell him that you are not questioning his decision, but that it would be very useful for you to understand where you can still improve. Listen without flinching or justifying what the person has to say and thank them for their feedback.
On this basis, then establish an action plan for your next interviews, taking into account, for example, the following elements:
Develop and use your network of contacts: tell all the people you meet and all your friends that you are looking for a new job or a new career. You will surely receive a quantity of information in return. List the people who have helped you and with whom you have developed a good relationship over the years, who know you well, in order to identify the people you can contact regarding career opportunities.
Conduct many informal interviews, with friends, professionals in the field or with recruitment agencies. The more you do, the more comfortable you will be in this exercise. Before an interview, prepare a list of questions that the employer may ask you. Practice answering them, citing your experiences and what you have accomplished so far. Ask a friend to ask you difficult questions in order to train you to answer in the best way.
Follow up on your research: even the most tedious parts of the job search – following up on phones, sending thank-you letters after an interview – are important and sometimes crucial things to finding a job.
Show your ability to adapt to obstacles and consider them as problems to solve rather than unfair and insurmountable obstacles. These first failures are an opportunity for you to surpass yourself, to see how you behave in the face of difficulties. Make it a life lesson, because you will also be faced with this kind of situation later, especially in employment: for example, a project that is close to your heart and that does not receive the approval of your superiors, a promotion or advancement that is refused to you.
It is important that you realize that job searching is a job in itself and that it can take longer than you initially thought. Finding the "right" position can indeed take several months. But remember: patience is a virtue and it will eventually pay off.
Success-and-career.ch
Posted on December 12, 2011.
At this stage, you can contact the recruiter who did not retain you, not to express your grievances, but to help you understand what you need to improve during future interviews. Tell him that you are not questioning his decision, but that it would be very useful for you to understand where you can still improve. Listen without flinching or justifying what the person has to say and thank them for their feedback.
On this basis, then establish an action plan for your next interviews, taking into account, for example, the following elements:
Develop and use your network of contacts: tell all the people you meet and all your friends that you are looking for a new job or a new career. You will surely receive a quantity of information in return. List the people who have helped you and with whom you have developed a good relationship over the years, who know you well, in order to identify the people you can contact regarding career opportunities.
Conduct many informal interviews, with friends, professionals in the field or with recruitment agencies. The more you do, the more comfortable you will be in this exercise. Before an interview, prepare a list of questions that the employer may ask you. Practice answering them, citing your experiences and what you have accomplished so far. Ask a friend to ask you difficult questions in order to train you to answer in the best way.
Follow up on your research: even the most tedious parts of the job search – following up on phones, sending thank-you letters after an interview – are important and sometimes crucial things to finding a job.
Show your ability to adapt to obstacles and consider them as problems to solve rather than unfair and insurmountable obstacles. These first failures are an opportunity for you to surpass yourself, to see how you behave in the face of difficulties. Make it a life lesson, because you will also be faced with this kind of situation later, especially in employment: for example, a project that is close to your heart and that does not receive the approval of your superiors, a promotion or advancement that is refused to you.
It is important that you realize that job searching is a job in itself and that it can take longer than you initially thought. Finding the "right" position can indeed take several months. But remember: patience is a virtue and it will eventually pay off.
Success-and-career.ch
Posted on December 12, 2011.
