You could see yourself working there; the people were friendly, the company is going places, and the job suited your experience and expectations. Then, you were informed that the job was offered to someone else. This wasn’t what you were expecting. Disappointment and wondering start to dominate your thinking.

Where did you go wrong?

Rejection is tough to take for even the most resilient people. You begin second-guessing yourself. Was it something I said, or something I did or didn’t do?

Reflecting on your personal presentation, you come to the conclusion that there was nothing that you said or did that would disqualify you, and you did your best.

Let it go. Don’t dwell on what might have been. As in sports, focus on the next shot, the next serve.

There are any number of reasons that you didn’t get the job. Many of them have nothing to do with you.

Some of the more common reasons that the job goes to someone else:

• Someone was more qualified or experienced
• Another person had stronger personal chemistry with the hiring manager
• A last minute candidate was introduced externally by a third party, or by an internal employee
• After several meetings, it was decided to raise or lower the bar of experience or qualifications
• The hiring manager’s boss decided on modifying the duties or qualifications
• The salary range offered was adjusted for economic reasons or a corporate change in plans

When you are between jobs, every interview and job opportunity that comes your way is not necessarily the right one for you. Several doors may close before the right one opens.

Remind yourself that you have the strengths, skills, and experience that are a good fit in the right company. Just because XYZ company wasn’t the right opportunity doesn’t mean that the pathway to your own progress is blocked.

You have a lot to offer, persevere in your efforts and they are bound to be successful.

Thomas Edison said when inventing the light bulb, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Continue believing in yourself and your worth because you know you have a lot to contribute to your next employer. The right employer is bound to recognize that, sooner or later.