Didn’t Receive a Job Offer? Here’s What You Should Do Next

It’s disappointing when you aren’t offered a job that you seem to be perfect for. This is especially true when you’ve sailed successfully through all parts of the hiring process—with a perfect cover letter and resume, great interview, possibly even follow-up interviews, and a comfortable rapport with the hiring manager at the company. But it’s important to remember that rejection is not the end of the road, and you should never burn bridges. The key is to handle the rejection as professionally as possible and not to take it personally. Then, you can follow five key strategies to help ensure that your time was not spent in vain. Here’s what you can do.

Five smart ways to handle a job rejection

1. Always be courteous. When you receive the email or phone call letting you know the facility has chosen another candidate, extend your gratitude. Try to be as upbeat and cheerful as possible, and thank them for the opportunity. You may even wish to send a second thank-you card (in addition to the one you sent after your first interview) reiterating your appreciation and thanking the hiring manager for his or her time. It’s a nice touch that will help showcase your professionalism.
2. Provide any follow-up information or contacts. Perhaps during your interview, you mentioned gathering information for the hiring manager or making an introduction to a colleague or someone you know in the industry. Don’t make this information contingent upon you being hired: Simply do what you said you would and show that there are no hard feelings and you’re true to your word.
3. Ask for advice. There must be a reason you weren’t selected, and it can help your job search to find out why. When you talk to the hiring manager or human resources representative about their decision to go with another candidate, ask if you can tell you why they didn’t select you instead. If they provide the reason, use this constructive criticism as a way to learn about yourself, improve, and grow in your career.
4. Express your continued interest. It’s also important to let the hiring manager know that you’re still interested in working for the facility if another opportunity should open up in the future, or if the candidate they chose doesn’t work out. Since they’ve already invested time getting to know you, an upcoming position you’re qualified for can be an easier placement than starting again from scratch.
5. Keep the lines of communication open. It also can’t hurt to follow up with the hiring manager or human resources department on a regular basis to see how things are going. You never want to become a pest, but a follow-up phone call or email every year or so can keep you top-of-mind. Your follow-through just may land you an opportunity if something else opens up within the facility.

Never give up

A rejection is just another stepping stone in the course of your career: Don’t let it get you down. If you instead think of it as a future opportunity, you can become that much more connected within your field.

Looking for your next position?

If you’re in the market for a new healthcare position, KTE Services can help. We work with anesthesiologists, CRNAs and pain management professionals for placements across the United States. To learn more, contact one of our experienced recruiters today.