Undergraduate Blog / Career Development

Just Not That Into You

So you did it:  You finally land the interview.  You wear the cute suit.  You smile.  You answer all the questions.  You ask some great ones of your own.  And then BAM!  Rejection.

What happened?
How did it all go so wrong?
Is Company X just not that into you?

You have two options here:
1. You can take it personally. Feel all rejected and dejected…. Or…. 
2. You can turn that frown upside down, and get right back on your job search.

There’s a great article online (http://www.careershift.com/Blog/ViewPost.aspx?postid=35) that talks about how to manage job search rejection.  One of the things I like about this article is that it talks about sending a thank you note.
“A well-written thank you note, mailed within one or two days of receiving a notice of rejection makes a positive statement. A thank you note expressing your regret at not being offered the job, while also thanking the company for their consideration of your qualifications, may lead the employer to give you some additional contacts or consideration. Anyone you meet while finding a job can potentially become a valuable contact.”

Truer words have never been spoken (or I guess written in this case).

Head and Shoulders used to have an ad campaign that said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,”  which is definitely still true whether you’re talking about dandruff or job interviews.  But especially in the case of interviews, you DO get a second chance to make a last impression.  Why not make it count?