Lots of jobs applied for – tick. Lots of rejections – tick. Finally an email received and job interview arranged – tick.

Then, post job interview, the ‘reality bites’ phone call to say that you have been unsuccessful in getting ‘that job’. So if this rings a bell and you are struggling to take any positives from the whole job search and interview process, read on for 4 positive ways you can deal with job interview rejection. (Hopefully a big tick to TheEmployable too if this helps you out too!)….

Gain feedback

Getting rejected at the interview stage is part and parcel of the job hunt process. After all only one person can finally be successful in ‘getting that job’. So therefore getting rejected at the interview stage can be a massive opportunity to improve one’s chances for the next time. Contact the employer, or the recruitment agency if they managed the process, and ask for constructive feedback on how you performed and where perhaps you fell down.

Learn from weaknesses

Leading on from gaining feedback post interview, the next and perhaps more valuable element of the process is to learn from and aim to improve on any weaknesses identified. Of course your weaknesses could come in many forms; it could be your actual performance at interview, an answer you gave to a particular interview question, or just your all round level of work experience, compared to another candidate. Next step is to of course work on and improve on any issues identified.

Take valuable advice – don’t take it thick

It’s natural to be disappointed if you are unsuccessful at the job interview stage. It can be really tough on you when all your hopes are pinned on a particular job and you get that far in the process. However this is an opportunity to learn more and take valuable advice, so don’t deal with post interview rejection badly. Dealing with rejection professionally will also help you in toning and shaping how you come across in the future, after all it is part and parcel of everyday life. Complaining and not looking to gain feedback on where you went wrong will also mean you get less opportunity to learn and improve.

Try to keep perspective

Easier said than done perhaps, especially if you are currently unemployed and job seeking, but trying to keep your job rejection in perspective can help the overall disappointment you naturally feel. Getting to the interview stage suggests an employer saw strengths in your application or CV that made you stand out, so there is no shame in coming a close second, third or fourth. What is a shame is if you don’t do the points listed above which will hopefully lead to a more successful job interview process, next time round. Good luck!

Take a look at some of these other interview tips and advice

How to get ahead in your next interview

How to handle unusual interview questions

Top 5 mistakes that could cost you an interview