How to handle rejection and setbacks during a job search
Mackenzie Waldron is a writer focused on ensuring workers have the information and resources they need to thrive. She explores topics that come up on Empower Work’s free, confidential text line and brings research-backed approaches to support you.
Are you between jobs and having setbacks in the job search process? Unfortunately, this is a common issue for people who are looking for jobs. It can be challenging to keep the momentum of a job search going when dealing with rejections, long and daunting interview timelines, bad interviews, or unresponsive employers.
It’s easy to lose motivation when your job search is dragging. It’s important to persist with resilience and confidence to find the right job for you.
So, how do you handle rejection and setbacks during a job search like a pro?
Struggling with rejection and setbacks during a job search?
Get help with work issues from our trained peer counselors. Confidential and free.
Ask for feedback
Are you left wondering why you didn’t get the job after receiving a rejection email? This is where you can ask the recruiting team for feedback and advice. You may not always hear back, but it’s always worth a shot. This way, you can know how to better prepare for the next job application or interview.
Your feedback might be detailed and structured, or it could be as simple as another candidate being more qualified. After receiving feedback, it’s important to apply this feedback to future attempts. For example, if the interviewer says that you’re missing a certain qualification and you’re looking for similar roles, you may want to look into obtaining specific certifications or taking classes.
Asking for feedback can also leave a good impression which would be important if the recruiter becomes a part of your network.
Expand your network
Even though you didn’t get the job, it’s always a good idea to keep in contact with the recruiter and the organization. If you left a good impression, they may reach out again with a different role or opportunity. This will also help you expand your network and could lead to more opportunities and connections.
Another way to expand your network in a job search lull is by reaching out for informational interviews. Search for people in your network who are in your industry, went to your school or university, or are connections through past coworkers. Reach out to them for a 15-minute conversation so you can ask for advice about your industry and how they obtained their job. Let them know that you’re currently open to work so they can also keep an eye out for any openings.
Revise your job search materials
Being in between jobs is a great time to revise your job search materials—resumes, LinkedIn pages, portfolios, references, and cover letters. Maybe you’ve recently completed a certification and need to add it to your resume, you’ve acquired new skills that you’d like to display, or you’ve made a new connection who has offered to be a reference.
It’s possible to find advantages while being in between jobs, and it’s important to take your unemployment time to figure out how to best use those advantages. It’s also reasonable to contact a career counselor to help improve your resume and cover letters.
Treat your job search like a job
Being unemployed can feel overwhelming, hopeless, and frustrating. It may feel like you will never find a lead on a job. A lot of these feelings are due to a lack of structure to your day like you’re used to while being employed.
Creating a day-to-day schedule for yourself and implementing time for your job search each day may improve your motivation, confidence, and perseverance to find a job. Rather than looking here and there for a job with a loose schedule every other week, treat your job search like a job. This will help you feel more in control of the job hunt and you will most likely find something quicker and more efficiently.
Reach out for support
In the midst of a job search, it’s important to reach out for support. Whether you contact a career counselor for resume improvement, a recruiter, a past coworker, or a friend, this will help you stay motivated to keep your job search on the right track.
If you need a thought partner in finding your next job, Empower Work peer counselors are here to help. Text 510-674-1414 for free, confidential support.
*Note: Empower Work provides non-legal support for workplace challenges. This information, while authoritative, is not legal advice or guaranteed for legality. Employment laws and regulations vary by state. We recommend consulting with state resources for specific interpretation and decisions. If you believe you were discriminated against in violation of the law, we recommend you seek legal advice.