Job Rejection Doesn't Have to Sting

When you apply for a job - you hope, maybe even pray, that you’ll be successful in the interview process and receive an offer. So, when you don’t get an offer, it can feel devastating.

Why rejection happens

The second you receive the rejection phone call or email; you immediately try to figure out why. But the answer may be elusive, especially if you are not given much information. There may be a few possible reasons why you didn’t receive an offer:

There was a “better” candidate

This may seem like the most obvious reason, but “better” doesn’t always mean better than you. Sometimes it just means different. Hiring managers sometimes realize they could use skills or experience they didn’t know they needed. Or your capabilities may be right in line with what is needed, but there are always intangibles that aren’t defined or listed in the job posting. If another candidate demonstrates those intangibles during the interview process, they may be “better” because they can contribute and bring value in a different way.

You didn’t tie your skills and experience to the role.

You may have all the necessary capabilities and experience, but the hiring manager needs to understand how you’ll apply them to this particular role. Too many people focus on talking about their accomplishments but ignore the actual job description. Truly understanding the role and articulating how you would apply your skills and capabilities is key to helping the hiring manager visualize how you can bring value to the team and organization.

You have a mismatch with the culture.

Every company has a specific culture. The last thing a hiring manager wants to do is hire someone who doesn’t fit in with the team. While you may believe you can adapt to fit the environment, the hiring manager will predict your success based on how you describe your work style and preferences during the interview process. There is nothing you can do if they feel you will not fit the company culture.

The job scope changed.

Once a job is posted, changes at the company could change the scope of the job — for example, maybe someone departed the team or there was a reorganization of functions. While a company should update and repost the job accordingly, not all of them do.

The job was paused or cancelled.

In uncertain economic times, hiring for new roles can be placed on hold or even canceled as companies figure out their short- and long-term strategies. While the job may still be posted, a company may not be interviewing for it or may stop the process after you’ve already interviewed. It’s not personal or a reflection of your skills and capabilities — it’s simply the way the business operates.

Check out the Virtual Resource Room at Calgary Career Hub. You will find lots of helpful up to date information on all aspects of job search. Click this link and get your password: Virtual Resource Centre