Rejection is never an easy thing to deal with, especially when it comes to a job interview. But rejection doesn’t always have to be perceived as something negative. In fact, there is more to learn from being rejected than there is from being hired. So wipe off those tears and crack a smile, there’s a silver lining to this dark, gray cloud.

If you’ve recently been turned down from a promising job opportunity, perhaps you should retrace the conversation you had with the interviewer. Were there moments of awkward silence after you answered a question, as if something you said didn’t register or sit well with the interviewer? Maybe you came across wrong in the midst of answering all the interview questions. Try calling the office back to see if you can speak with the person who interviewed you.

Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. But if it does, ask how you could have answered the questions differently to make yourself seem like a much more viable candidate for the job. (more…)

3 Minute Video of What Not To Do During a Job Interview
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Whether you’re a college student entering the job market for the first time, or you’re someone who has had the same job for many years and is now seeking new employment due to the faltering economy, you know there are many things to consider when putting yourself out there for an interview. Did you dress well, does your resume look professional, make sure to look people in the eyes when you shake their hands, do you have food in my teeth or bad breath… it can be an intimidating process.

The thing to remember is, this is by no means an easy process for the person on the other side of the desk either. He or she has to properly represent her place of employment to each prospective employee, meaning present herself just as professionally when she already has a job as you do seeking one. She’s also under pressure to make sure she asks all the right questions, and evaluates all the relevant criteria, because whomever she picks for the position will reflect on her as a recruiter.

It is important, then, that you let each person interviewing you for each position you’re applying for know that you appreciate what a difficult task it is for her as well. I know this is easier said than done when you’re thinking about bills, mortgages, or more importantly your family’s well-being, especially when the places you’ve interviewed with decided to go with someone else, leaving you back at square one. Believe me, I’ve been there, and it’s not great to hear that you didn’t get the job, or even worse, no contact from them at all.

The thought of even saying “thank you for your time” on the phone seems like an extremely arduous task, let alone sending a thank you note. (more…)