TURNING REJECTION INTO JOB SUCCESS

Job hunting can be a difficult, time-consuming and even an emotional process. Rejection happens to everyone at some point.  With the right approach, rejection can be used positively to plan effectively for job interview success. The question is how people deal with rejection and how they learn from such experiences.

It is important to obtain feedback, do some research and talk through experiences so improvements can be made. The idea of the review process is to identify and build on strengths, whilst eliminating weaknesses.  Winning CV has divided this article into three sections:

Section 1:  Reasons for rejection  - Suggesting actions to improve interview performance next time.  
Section 2:  Dealing with not getting an interview  - How to sell a CV more effectively to employers.
Section 3:  Converting interview opportunities - Making the most of interview opportunities.

                                                                                                                                 

MAIN REASONS, ACTIONS & CONSIDERATIONS

Were there any obvious reasons for not getting the job?

Action:  Eliminate any really bad experiences from your mind.

Assessing skills and qualities profile

Action:  Identify any possible skills gap - highlight weak areas to work on and improve.

Assessing quality & scope of work experience

Action:  Find some way of improving the depth and level of experience.
Consideration:  Be more realistic - only apply for jobs tailored to experience.

Assessing qualifications

Action:  Find some way of improving the depth and level of qualifications.
Consideration:  Be more realistic - only apply for jobs suited to qualification level.

Assessing interview performance 1

Action: Evaluate what could have gone wrong and research ways of improving interview techniques. Also, practice by doing interview role-plays with friends and family.

Assessing interview performance 2

Action:  Contact the company to identify areas for improvement.
A good company will always be willing to offer constructive feedback.

Remember to take notes so you can document any strengths, weaknesses and overall impressions highlighted at interview.  This will help candidates to understand any shortcomings and will
immediately give indicators for improvement.

By picking up the telephone, candidates will learn a lot more about themselves.  Chances are the feedback will be quite positive (certainly constructive) providing the interview was approached
in the right professional manner.

Evaluating the competition - was there an outstanding candidate?

Action:  Just the luck of the draw - chances are the company had someone in mind.
Consideration:  Take confidence through competing favourably with good candidates.

Remain confident throughout the job-hunting process

Confidence and having the right mindset can make the difference. It is important to remain focused on the goal in question and to maintain efforts, otherwise the process of finding a job will take much longer. Any lack of motivation or confidence may show at interview.

Review CV, application and covering letter

Double-check everything to do with the application and its preparation. It may mean tweaking and refining the application to make it look, sound and feel better.  Slight improvements to the wording,
layout and overall presentation may need to be done.

Check that the CV is selling personal strengths, skills, qualities, experience and achievements effectively.  Ensure an overall career objective is included and eliminate any negative aspects.

Evaluate what can be done differently

Consider how to differentiate an application and interview from other candidates. Very often, it is the candidate who can offer something different or present themselves more effectively who will win the job.

                                                                                                                                 

SELLING YOUR CV EFFECTIVELY - USEFUL STRATEGIES

Getting a CV short listed for interview is the overall objective. To make this happen, Winning CV has identified a number of key elements (strategies) to ensure any CV stands out from others. Follow this advice and people cannot go far wrong.

1) Make sure the CV and covering letter are of sufficient quality to impress

The CV must be well presented and articulated to clearly sell the personal profile, career goals, experience, qualifications, skills, qualities and any achievements.

2) Research the company before applying

Research may reveal give some pointers about the type of candidates the company is looking for.
Candidates sometimes do not target the right employers so this is important.  At the very least, there should be some indications about the level and calibre of candidates the company is seeking.

3) Tailor job applications to the job description

There are key phrases, buzzwords, skills and qualities stated on the job description.  Remember initial recruitment decisions are based on what is included within the application and how it matches up to the job description.  At the very least, it will show some time and effort has been made.

4) Only target job vacancies where 60-70% of the job description is matched

Anything less, then there is no point in applying. Candidates have more success if they are suited to the role in terms of qualifications, experience, skills and qualities. It is important to be realistic.

5) Be sure any career choice is the right one

If the career choice is not realistic and there is not enough supporting evidence to back this up, then there is a high chance of being beaten to interview by other candidates.

6) Have clear career objectives & focus

A lack of focus or overall career objective can affect the ability to get interviews (i.e. not trying hard enough, no vision of where you want to be, etc). A wrong career decision may come back to haunt
people at a later stage.

7) Be persistent and proactive

Proactively send out applications. It is important to keep knocking on as many doors as possible. One will eventually open!

8) Consider doing something different from other candidates - differentiation

Competition is intense so a different approach or including something different may distinguish an application from others. It is important to think of something clever (subtle) that will make a good impression.

                                                                                                                                 

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY

It is likely that candidates will have to go through a number of interviews to build up experience, confidence and develop the required skills to succeed. Remember to stay focused and that everyone will have their day!

Being invited to interview means that the company has selected usually between 4 and 6 candidates to be interviewed.  Poor interview performance can happen from time to time but it is important not to waste the opportunity through a lack of confidence in own abilities or preparation.

It is important to remember, there are ways of improving chances of success, including...

Drawing on self-belief and projecting confidence

Recruiters will indirectly rank prospective candidates according to the strength of the applications received for the shortlisted candidates.

Candidates must be confident about their application & what they can offer a company.
Showing a positive mentality - self-belief by being the best candidate asked to attend interview. 

Have a mental picture of some important success to boost confidence before going to interview
(i.e. a special achievement, sporting success, etc). Ensuring a positive mental attitude will help
convey enthusiasm for the role and a confident persona.

Plan and prepare effectively for the interview

Look at the types of questions likely to be asked and have many credible examples ready.
Always remember to research the company. It is likely you will be asked about the company.

Work on interview techniques

Pre-prepare questions and give suitable answers using credible examples.
Practice with friends, family and colleagues until sufficient confidence is gained.

Understand your CV and the job description

Understanding the CV enables candidates to recall specific details relating to their application (i.e. experiences, dates, achievements, skills, qualifications, etc). Knowing the job description also enables candidates to match their CV to the job role more effectively and so sound more convincing at interview.

Getting the basics right

Candidates often let themselves down by not getting the basics right. Ensure proper preparation and consider other things like dress code and body language, etc. Always remain polite and professional.

Act on feedback and previous experiences

Use feedback gleaned from previous interviews - learn from mistakes, how to handle different situations or dealing with different interview approaches.

Remember it is a two-way process

An interview should be considered as nothing more than a structured discussion about whether or not a candidate is suitable to any given job role. Interviewers get nervous too because they are under pressure to recruit the right person for the role. Make the most of any interview opportunity and just GO FOR IT!

Factors beyond the control of the candidate

As long as candidates are confident that they have performed to the best of their abilities, then there should be no hard feelings about not getting the job if they are rejected. It is important to remember that sometimes companies already have people in mind or there were just exceptional candidates. It is slightly unfair but it happens! C'est la vie - that's life! 

                                               


  

Dealing with CV & job interview rejection - some strategies for overcoming difficulties!