How to Get Rejected & Walk Away Motivated

 

So, you got that impersonal “thanks, but no thanks” rejection letter after multiple interviews and high hopes.

 

I’m sure the last thing you want to do here is swallow your pride, put on a smile, and write a friendly response—But you should! As much as you want to just “read it and delete it,” it’s important that you write a response after being rejected. Why?

 

Here are my thoughts:

 

• It shows you’re professional. By holding your head up high and confronting the news head-on, it shows potential employers that you’re not discouraged and you’re mature when faced with difficult situations.

 

• It may give you the chance to ask for feedback. It’s helpful to know what you did right or wrong in the interview so you can adjust your game plan before the next one. They might have just been looking for a different skill set. Who knows? You won’t know if you don’t ask.

 

• It can even open the door for future opportunities. Even if this position wasn’t a perfect fit, the hiring leader now knows you’re appreciative, professional, and open to other opportunities. Word gets around, and it’s better to be on the “good list!”

 

Now that you have the “chutzpah” (or motivation) to write a response, how should you phrase it? Here’s a template that might give you some help.

 

“Hello [Name],

 

Thank you for letting me know about your decision regarding the position.

 

While I admit that I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to join the [Company] team, it was truly an eye-opening experience meeting you and learning about the great work that you’re doing.

 

I’m looking forward to following [Company] as the team [name a current company goal], and I’ll especially be keeping a close eye on [project or development discussed in your interview].

 

Thanks again for the opportunity, [Name], and I hope our paths cross again in the future. I’m wishing you and [Company] all the best moving forward!

 

Sincerely,

[Your Name]”

 

Once you’ve hit “send,” you can take another step to end on a good note. If you haven’t already, request to connect with the hiring manager or department leader on LinkedIn—and add a personalized message with the invitation saying how much you enjoyed meeting them during the interview and mentioning how you’d love to stay in touch.

 

Whether or not it leads to something further down the road, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you handled the bad news with poise and professionalism–while keeping the lines of communication open.

 

Rejection is hard, and what’s harder is responding to the news when you’re feeling defeated—it’s easier said than done. However, it’s a smart move on your part–that can set you up for success in the future.

 

Keep your head up!

 

If you’re still unsure what to do after getting the dreaded “thanks, but no thanks” letter, we’re more than happy to help you on your job search!

 

Questions? Call us!