I’ve applied and interviewed for so many “dream” jobs. From the White House to Google, they were interviews I thought I had nailed. I had even started picturing myself working there with a fabulous new life after graduation. So imagine my disappointment when I received the “thank you for your interest…at this time your qualifications do not match” email. Tears poured and I only became more discouraged. After working four hard years to make a killer resume with experience that both my friends and my professors said was great and would get me far, I didn’t understand why I wasn’t getting hired.
Well, in a recession that hasn’t been this bad since the 1930’s, finding a job before graduation isn’t easy. However, I’ve quickly learned that the best thing you can do after you don’t get one offer, is to look for the next one! Remember that finding a job IS a job in itself. Creating a resume, searching for positions, writing cover letters, filling out applications, interviewing, and doing a second round interview, is indeed a lot of work. But remember not to get discouraged if you don’t get a job. Don’t lose confidence or self-esteem—it takes patience and one lucky break to get you from college graduate to working woman! If you’ve been dealing with the rejection blues, HC’s here to help with advice on how to deal—both psychologically and professionally.
Don’t give up.
There was a reason you didn’t get that job. Yeah, it sucks, but the job you get may be way better than the job you previously thought was your dream job. Seriously sit down and ask yourself, what do I want to do? Then go for it again, whether it’s a similar job or something different. If you feel like something isn’t working, take a step back and approach applying and interviewing for jobs in a different way. “Think outside the box [and] don’t be afraid to brush up on thank you etiquette, dress code and interviewing answers. I have heard many stories about candidates who have done something different, bold, and been noticed by employers,” says Nina Ong, the corporate recruitment liaison for Boston University.
Don’t be discouraged. Keep Applying!
It’s a guessing game when trying to figure out what employers are looking for. Remember, you’re competing with people who have been laid off, who are still job-hunting from graduation last year and last semester, as well as your peers graduating with you, so it will be hard. You’re a great candidate and not getting hired may be because of an X-factor you have nothing to do with. Remember, hard work always pays off, so if you’re working hard, your break will come. Remind yourself to stay confident, because it is your confidence that will help you get a job. Continue to send your resume to as many employers as possible in your chosen field. You might not get a call back, but at least you know you tried.
LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a useful networking site where you can look up colleagues and even people in HR for the company you are interviewing with. Before an interview, look up the person you are interviewing with. Ong says, “I was corresponding with a recruiter and used LinkedIn to figure out they went to BU. It gives you that common ground. Do your research and go beyond the limit!” She also suggests Google searching interview questions for that company. Most of the time, websites like glass door or vault will have some hints on what to expect in the interview. There are even articles where people contribute interview questions that they have encountered, like this one on HC!
Utilize your professors. In whatever field you’re studying, your professors are experts in it. They probably have a lot of contacts and if they know you personally, they can really help you out. “One of my professors told me that she would send me updates if anyone sent her a job posting, which is really helpful. [They’ve also] helped through writing recommendations for me when I apply for jobs,” says Anjali Lalwani, an advertising major at Boston University. So make sure your professors know you’re on the job hunt, so that they can keep their eyes peeled for opportunities that may be up your alley!
Seek other options.Who said you had to get a job right after college? Tons of students are looking for other options besides going into the workforce. If you know you’d like to attend graduate school, why not focus on studying for your GRE’s or LSATS now and apply in the fall? Cassie Potler, a senior at James Madison University said that she applied early for Teach for America in her fall semester. Not expecting to get it, she found out in November that she was accepted. Since then, she’s been able to relax and enjoy her senior year! I applied for the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program as did a friend of mine, and now for the summer I’m working in New York City with practically all my expenses paid for. Now I have something to do after graduation and even more time to find the right job for me. So there are other options out there; you just have to hunt!
Ask for Feedback! If you don’t get a job, call or email the recruiter back. Thank them for the opportunity to interview and politely ask them why you weren’t qualified and what you can do to improve. Do it in a polite and professional manner. “[Asking for feedback] will not only help YOU in the long run to get some feedback and will also show them your determination and initiative,” says Ong.
Going home for a while isn’t so bad.You’ll be working for a long time. Therefore, if you get to go home and spend time with family for a few months before you land a first job, it’s ok. You’re probably not the only one! Sorbani Banerjee, a Boston University alum and a news anchor for Channel 7 News in Boston, spoke to the senior graduating class at BU, and said that’s exactly what happened to her. “Don’t try to figure out the rest of your life right now, because it will definitely, definitely, change,” Banerjee said.
Sources:
Nina Ong, Corporate Recruitment Liason, Boston University College of Communication
Anjali Lalwani, Senior at Boston University
Cassie Potler, Her Campus Contributing Writer and Senior at James Madison University
Sobani Banerjee, Boston Channel 7 News anchor, Boston University Class of 2001