Rejected from a job I was sure I had - Devastated

LegacyUser

The title says it all really.

I finished up my final year in college a couple of months ago and have been searching for a full time job since then. I've had sporadic interviews and applied to so many. I also had to do an internship while I was in college which lasted 6 months, which is definitely the reason why I have gotten to the interview stage.

Last week I had an interview with a company and I was SO excited for it. I had done my research on it and the job spec seemed to perfectly match my skills. There were two people interviewing and I felt that it had went really well. They seemed pleased with my answers and were really engaged. It went so well and afterwards they handed me a form to fill out, a kind of 'what would you do in this situation' type paper and assured me not to worry, that candidates receive training and that the form didn't matter that much.

I couldn't help but get my hopes up as I really wanted the job and I was convinced that after so many months of searching that this would be finally be it. It sounds incredibly silly, but even my instincts were telling me that I had secured the job. They were hiring a number of people which shot my hopes up even higher.

I received an email this evening informing me that unfortunately I wasn't selected due to the number of candidates and sheer high quality of other applicants. They asked me could they keep my details on file and they would contact me if another position came up.

I was and still am devastated. This is the first time I've cried over a job rejection. It's really hard to not take personally and I feel like what's the point of applying for more interviews when rejection seems to happen so much. Every fibre of my being was telling me I had the job too, which is why I think this rejection is so much harder to take and it was a dream job really.


Does anyone have any advice for moving on, so to speak? I know it may seem silly to be so distraught over a job interview but I'm just in shock I guess, because I really overestimated my chances of getting it.

Thanks so much.

Emme

<SNIP>

OP sorry to hear you didn't get the job. It could have gone to an internal candidate or somebody they knew. This often happens with interviews. Or it could have gone to somebody with more relevant experience.

Keep positive. Email the company back and thank them for getting back to you (many companies ghost job applicants). Tell them you regret not getting the job on this occasion but that you would still like to work for the company if a suitable position comes up in the future and that you are happy for them to keep your details on file.

Gregor Samsa

I had a similar experience, not for a job, but for a part -time masters degree as a mature student. I really, really wanted it, and it was in an area I was already working in. I aced the interview, answered everything perfectly and had examples of work to back my claims of experience up. The interviewers told me straight to my face that I was ideal for the course, and that while they couldn't formally offer me a place there and then, they couldn't see how I wouldn't be successful. I walked out convinced I'd got it - there was just no other way to interpret the experience.

Two weeks later came the rejection letter.

I was totally devastated. More devastated than I've ever been about anything other than a close family death.

I called them up to enquire as to why I was rejected, and was told similar vague reasons as yourself - the high caliber of applicants.

I really felt like writing a rejection letter of my rejection letter, and telling them that I was just going to turn up on the first day of the course anyway. Cooler heads prevailed, and I just tried to put it behind me, although every time I thought about it, the hurt came flooding back.

The next year, my company closed down and I was just about to apply for a new job, when I saw that they were now running a full-time version of the same MA. I didn't see the point in applying, but my then-girlfriend/now-wife convinced me that if I had wanted to do it that much and now had the free time, I should go for it. I did the interview just the same the second time, except this time they didn't give me any overt positive feedback in it, and I was much more cautious about my optimism.

Two weeks later I got an acceptance letter.

I did the course to the very best of my abilities, and came out with a 1:1, and the highest mark in the class. I once asked one of the professors - who was on the original interview panel that I was rejected from - why I didn't get it first time. He didn't remember the situation at all, but just said that sometimes it's just difficult to fit all the worthy applicants into the limited spaces on the course.

With a job, it's often more difficult. Often there's loads of applicants and just one open role.

I'm a manager now, and occasionally have to hire people. The difference between two candidates can be miniscule - even non-existent - but you just have to choose one. Sometimes the criteria for that choice can be very difficult to articulate, but it just has to be done, and someone is going to fall on the wrong side of it.

I know how difficult it is, but you really have to try to not let it hold you back. It really, really isn't something personal, no matter how it feels. Sometimes people do overestimate how well they're suited to a job, but sometimes they're totally right. If you really feel that this is the job/company for you, don't let it stop you trying again. You have every chance of being successful.

Best of luck, because sometimes no matter how well you're prepared and experienced, you need it on your side.

Cockadoodledoo

You should request the feedback/ score sheet from your interview so that you can see where you can improve for next time.

Every interview should be a learning experience for the next and hopefully there won’t be too many.

It happened to me when I finished college too and I was completely deflated. I was encouraged to try once more which I reluctantly did. I got that job and was so happy working there.

I always believe what is for you won’t pass you by and there is something even better around the corner so keep your chin up.

engiweirdo

Had a similar experience there recently ; multiple "off the record" site visits to view working area, meet with team etc. and contacted to inform me position had been posted. Some stupid technicality in degree award date lost me the position. I was/am pretty low after that, still struggling to recover.

Keep at it op. Companies/hiring managers should be viewed akin to a greedy selfish person ie. they are only interested in what you can do for them (specifically). Have taken this view after and kinda getting back on track again, have had some interest again lately.

It's tough and the market is full of liars: "STEM shortage" doesnt exist, theres maybe a shortage of gullible grads willing to move to Dublin for €20k but mostly they wanna push more through so they can fill their boots with the pick.

Keep the head up. Dont let the baxtards grind you down.

Ursus Horribilis

I've been in your shoes. I had the job offer and all, then it fell through because of internal politics. I was gutted at the time but I moved on. I'd nearly forgotten about it until your thread reminded me.

What I've learned from experience is that you can never predict what way any job interview will go. You don't know who else is applying, what experience they have, what the interviewers are looking out for etc. Try not to take it personally. This is unlikely to be the first time you'll get a knock back in your career. It happens to everyone. By all means, lick your wounds and hurt for a while. Then dust yourself off and try again. This isn't the only job out there and it isn't your last chance at landing a "dream job".

It is worth sending a nice email back to them, thanking them and saying yes, they can keep your details on file. Sometimes companies actually do go back to people who didn't get the job first time round. It happened in a place where I worked.

BrokenArrows

OP, sucks that you didn't get the job but look at it from the positive side of things. They were impressed with you and in most cases you would have gotten the job. You were just unfortunate to come up against another candidate who they thought was better suited.

Keep an eye on the same company. They might advertise something you also like soon and if you apply for that you will be a step ahead of the other candidates.

skallywag

Ursus Horribilis wrote: »

What I've learned from experience is that you can never predict what way any job interview will go.

A big +1, I've also been through the same where I was fully confident that I had the position secured.

I've also learned from the other side of the fence that the 'best' candidate or the one who impresses the interview panel the most might not always be the one who gets the job in the end either.