Section 5: Coping with Rejection

How to Find Out Why You Didn't Get the Job

If after all your efforts you are unsuccessful in getting the job, it is important to get feedback from the selection panel on the reasons why.

If you weren't shortlisted for an interview, the selection panel are not expected to give you feedback, but you may wish to contact them to find out why you weren't offered an interview.

If you were interviewed for the position, the panel will normally offer you feedback when you are contacted about its decision. If you aren't offered feedback, ask for some.

Any feedback you can get from the panel will help you to improve both your written application and your interview technique for future job applications.

The kinds of things you may want specific feedback on are:

Which of the criteria, if any, didn't you meet, and why?

The quality of your written application:

Was it clearly written, easy to read?
Did you provide enough relevant information?
Were the selection criteria addressed adequately?
Were there any errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc?

How well you did at the interview:

Did you answer the questions effectively?
Were the examples you gave specific enough?
Did you come across as being competent and genuinely interested in the job?
Did you provide sufficient information (too much or too little)?

Try to get specific information from the panel on what you could have done better or differently and why.

It's important to remember that your written application may be of a high standard and you may perform well at interview, but you still may not get the job. It may simply be the case that the person who is appointed to the position has more relevant qualifications and experience than you and is a better match for the position.

Possible Reasons for Missing Out

At the written application stage

If you weren't shortlisted for an interview it could be for a number of reasons.

You didn't clearly demonstrate in your written application that you met all the criteria for the job. Even though you may have all the relevant qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience, if you don't make this sufficiently clear in your application, the panel is unlikely to interview you.

There were errors in your application, or it was badly layed out, etc.

Other applicants met the selection criteria better than you.

At the interview stage

There are a number of reasons why the panel may decide, on the basis of the information you give and the impression you make at the interview, not to appoint you to the job.

Job-Related Skills and Attitudes

Insufficient experience or ability to do the job
Apparent lack of interest in the job
Lack of job stability
Lack of potential for advancement in the job
More interested in salary and conditions of appointment than in the job itself

Personal Skills

Poor personal appearance
Poor communication skills

inability to express yourself clearly
too talkative
not talkative enough

Lack of confidence
Over-confidence
Unreliability
Inflexibility
Insincerity
Lack of self-motivation
Inability to fit in with existing staff
Immaturity

Other

Arriving late for the interview
Poor references - written or oral
Another applicant meets the selection criteria better than you

It is worthwhile looking critically at this list and trying to improve on any you can.

Dealing with Rejection

Try not to think of having 'failed' if you don't get the job.

Focus on the things you did well and continue to build on your strengths.

Look constructively at the things you can do to improve, either in terms of the written application or how you come across at the interview. Get feedback from others as well: from family, friends, colleagues, etc., and practice when you can.

Think of the whole process as an opportunity for you to learn and gain experience for next time.

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The University of Western Australia, Centre for Staff Development

Contact: Claire Webb, cwebb@csd.uwa.edu.au
Last Update: 7 March 1996
URL: http://www.csd.uwa.edu.au/job/guide/section5.htm