Bouncing Back from a Dream Job Rejection

You spent weeks job searching, and finally found a position that was perfect for you. You fit every single one of the job qualifications, and the company culture was right in line with your values. When you got a phone interview, all of the questions were a breeze. And then you nailed the in-person interview. But you never heard back.

Sometimes you can be a great fit for a job, and still not get the position. Maybe the company ended up hiring from within, or perhaps the job opening was cancelled. To be honest, there can be millions of reasons you didn’t end up getting the job that have nothing to do with your own qualifications. Which can be frustrating and awful. That’s why it’s best not to dwell on it. Here are a few ways to keep your spirits up after being rejected from your dream job.

  1. You are valid.

You didn’t get hired and that stinks. But you’re a great worker. You made it through all those rounds of interviews and were one of the final candidates for the job. That’s awesome! Since not getting the job didn’t have anything to do with your qualifications, know that there’s still another dream job out there for you.

Just because a company doesn’t hire you doesn’t mean that you’re any less of a person. One of the most daunting parts of the job search is that repeated rejection can make you start to see any interviews as validation. “Somebody does recognize my worth,” you might think. But you need to know that, regardless of job offer, you matter. That self-confidence is what can power you through the rest of the job search.

  1. Keep the connection.

It’s frustrating to lose out on your dream job, but don’t discount the company that failed to hire you. You might have lost out on this round, but this doesn’t mean that they might not want to hire you for another job in the future. Again, you made it to the final round; not many other job seekers did that. Try to keep in touch with the company for any other opportunities going forward.

  1. Take a break.

It’s okay to feel bad about your job search. There are lots of people all over the world going through the same thing. Try not to beat yourself up about not getting this one. Take a few days off from the job search to rest and recuperate. Eat your favorite foods, binge watch a great new TV show. It’s okay to take a break. You’ll have a better time filling out applications once you feel better mentally.

  1. Jump back in.

Once you’re rested and ready, dive back into the job search. Show that company how wrong they were not to hire you. With hard work and perseverance, you’re likely to find another great company.

Have you ever lost out on a dream job? How did you handle it? Let us know in the comments section below!

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