The Hidden Truths Behind Rejection Letters
For many of us, we’ve gotten those emails. You know the one, where we regret to inform you that we’ll be moving forward with other candidates. Don’t get me wrong, it’s better than being ghosted altogether, but it also leaves a lot of us asking “why”? This is especially difficult for those candidates that read the job description and they’re so excited because they literally meet every qualification on the list!
We’re going to deconstruct some of the things that are happening behind the scenes, so you can proactively get the information you need to be successful in your job hunt.
The Role Might Have Been Filled Already…
That’s right, folks. This is more common than you may think. Job postings can sometimes hang out there longer than the role is actually available. That’s why it’s super important to monitor job boards for new postings to ensure you are one of the first round applicants.
The Job Description May Need Rewritten…
Believe it or not, this happens. Just the other day, I spoke with someone who was so excited about a job prospect because they met all the qualifications. Then, upon the phone screen, the applicant was informed that the company wanted someone much more senior with certain certifications that were not mentioned on the job description. It’s a good rule of thumb for any company to revisit their job descriptions year over year to ensure they remain up-to-date.
The Company May Have Temporarily Suspended Hiring Activities
More relevant now than ever, financial instability and economic uncertainty may result in a company cutting back from hiring certain open roles. If this hiring freeze is anticipated to last any length of time, it’s certainly possible this may result in a templated rejection letter.
So, What Can I Do?
Navigating the job market can most certainly present challenges. But there are a few things you can do to proactively get better information than that afforded to you in a templated rejection email.
Firstly, make it part of your process to connect with recruiters and hiring managers for the companies you’re applying to. It’s way better to have a human contact rather than relying on automated systems! Not only are you able to give these people a head’s up that you submitted an application, but you’re able to send them a note if you have questions during any step of the application process — this includes asking for a bit more clarity about your qualifications and overall fit.
Information is power, so you should use this to your advantage. Keep track of the feedback and leverage this to make a career growth plan that allows you to focus on specifics, versus trying to be skilled in all areas at once.
In closing, remember that even rejections can have a silver lining. Failure and success are both accompanied with learning, and often we are challenged to think differently when we learn something doesn’t work, only to create something even better!
Let’s Talk About It
Have you ever gotten a rejection and then followed up? What happened?