South Africa has the third highest unemployment rate in the world, of which over 50% of its unemployed are within the youth group.
“Indeed, it is a disappointment that you didn’t get the job you thought was meant for you, but in spite of what you might think, all is not lost,” says Lyndy van den Barselaar, Managing Director at ManpowerGroup SA.
What should you do to maximise your chances of having some good come out of this seeming loss? Here are six proactive steps to take if you don't get the job you applied for:
Take time to grieve.
It's okay to stop and grieve your loss, especially if the job you applied for was your dream job. Reflect on what you might have done or said differently, but don't dwell on it forever. Grieve for a short time, then get back into the job search routine.
Send a thank you note.
Sending a thank you note to your interviewer will let them know that you valued their time. The next time that company has a job opening, who do you think they'll think of first? You'll increase your chances for a second interview opportunity at that company if you do this one thing.
Respectfully ask for feedback.
Not every company and not every interviewer will tell you why you didn't get the job. If you ask the question directly, you likely won't get a response. Instead, ask something like, “Can you help me out for future reference? What could I have done to make myself more competitive?” By asking it this way, you aren't really asking why they hired someone else instead of you, which could put them on the spot.
Rather, you're asking for feedback that will make you a more competitive candidate for the next job interview. Leverage any feedback as an opportunity to improve future interviews.
Pick yourself up and continue your job search.
It's very important that you get back into the job search routine as quickly as possible. Send out another CV or visit another job board.
Ask if there is another opening in the company that could match your job skills.
Large companies usually have multiple job openings simultaneously.
Maintain your relationship with the recruiter/human resources representative.
Did you develop a strong rapport with the HR representative during the interview process? Are you interested in staying on their radar for future opportunities within the organisation? Connect with them on LinkedIn. Many HR reps post job updates in their personal feed - which is a great way to learn about new opportunities.
“It is important to remain motivated during your job search, and not to give up. Take each hurdle as a lesson and an opportunity to learn more about yourself, your field, your skills and what you are looking for in terms of your career,” concludes van den Barselaar.
