Rejected after final interview

20 Comments

1. Maggie SmithJanuary 22,2024 at 8:31PM UTC

   Don't feel bad. Not many get to next level to begin with! So you did better than many - you got selected for an interview, then you went through at least one round and were advanced to the next. So you are moving in the right direction. You may want to ask for feedback, so you are even better prepared next time.

   Now - deep breath and keep going!

2. Stephanie Branch LekowskiJanuary 24,2024 at 2:51PM UTC

   Aren't would-be employers often very reluctant to give feedback due to risking being sued for saying the wrong thing and having it come across as discrimination? I've heard of rejected candidates trying to find out why they didn't get hired only to encounter brick walls, i.e. "I'm sorry but that's confidential" aka "No comment". Or give you a vague "No, it's nothing you said or did" which is the job hunt equivalent of "It's not you it's me/us/the hiring manager. "

3. AnonymousJanuary 22,2024 at 8:35PM UTC

   I had that happen a time or two when I was in a job search two years ago. And more recently for a position that I was actually recruited for (that wasn't even on my radar, but then came around to it, and wanted the job). It sucks, I know. I got my hopes up more than once. Total disappointment. Beat myself up over it. Feel however you need to feel....and then jump right back into it.

4. AnonymousJanuary 22,2024 at 8:58PM UTC

   Hang in there. I'm so sorry. I find focusing on my blessings a good way to get myself back into a good place.

5. AnonymousJanuary 22,2024 at 9:14PM UTC

   It just proves you are doing things right. You made it to the final round of interviews. The sad reality is that there is only one winner unless there are multiple openings. Hang in there. It will happen. Keep trying, and good luck. I know you can do it.

6. Lindsay EdwardsJanuary 22,2024 at 10:23PM UTC

   I would try to not take it personally. There could be a ton of random factors that the hiring team took into account that maybe made them think you weren't the right fit for the job. Or maybe they just do not realize what they just missed out on!!

7. AnonymousJanuary 22,2024 at 11:34PM UTC

   I'm with you! That's happened to me several times in my recent search - it definitely takes a toll. But we have to believe the right fit will find us eventually! Good luck!

8. AnonymousJanuary 23,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

   I’d say “welcome to the club” but it’s not the best club to be in at times. Of course, I’d also say we’ve both made it through some rounds of interviews and chats and calls and gotten further than other applicants (and do recall that typically 100s of applicants apply!). It’s entirely disappointing and heartbreaking to be in that last competitive position and feel good about it, then find you didn’t get the job. Ouch… it really does hurt. So, let it hurt for a bit and move forward as steadily as you can in your search. Someone commented to get feedback. Thats a great idea and a good way to adjust your interview discussions or to learn about a skill you didn’t already have and should consider taking a class to build. At this time, upskilling our knowledge with some truly simple tools we haven’t implemented is still valuable. I last learned that because I hadn’t used AI in my previous role, it hindered me to some degree. I’m now trying to absorb and learn how AI can improve my field of work and how to best apply it, as well as practice and test outcomes. And I’m in an administrative role. So, never think some skills are too technical or unique for any position. Lastly, have fun with anything you’re learning to improve your skill base. Find a friend to take a course with you (online, through various apps, on various websites like LinkedIn, free or low cost) where you have a partner to bounce ideas off or get ideas and advice from. That has helped me a lot. It’s made me more competitive in my particular field and has me more consistently getting to the front of the line. I’m still trying to work on getting the offer… but I’m ok with where I’m at compared to where I was not too long ago after losing my job from a move (they didn’t want my role remote).

9. Kate HopkinsJanuary 23,2024 at 5:06PM UTC

   Oh, I'm so sorry. I just had that happen to me too, if its any consolation. They flew me out for an in person visit and everything - I was the final candidate. They passed on me and reposted the position. It was pretty crushing.

   Just remember that in the end its a matter of fit - which is highly subjective. You clearly have what it takes to get to the final round, so you're doing something right. Do something nice for yourself and then get back in the game. You can do this!

10. AnonymousJanuary 23,2024 at 6:03PM UTC

    Contact the company, ask them if you can get some feedback on why you fell short. With a crowded market its a tough competitive landscape so don't take it too hard. Ask the company if they would consider you for other roles and wish them the best with their new hire. You never know, if the person fails or they add other positions similarly and you professionally reach back out they will think of you again.

11. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachJanuary 23,2024 at 7:28PM UTC

    That is a downer. On the bright side, you made it all the way to the end. What if your next opportunity is THE one and this was just a practice round ? Keep pushing through and know, rejections are apart of the job search process. It doesn't have to mean anything about you personally.

12. Cindy GloverJanuary 23,2024 at 9:14PM UTC

    wbat did you learn from it?

    it’s always ok to ask the hiring manager for feedback on how you could have done something differently

13. AnonymousJanuary 24,2024 at 1:36PM UTC

    Not the OP but I've done asked hiring managers for feedback (always reiterating my passion for the company and its values) and receive the generic "of they like you it's just that there was someone who matched the qualifications better".

    It's disheartening to be rejected especially when you feel strongly about the position and the company.

14. Alexis BlackmonJanuary 24,2024 at 1:05AM UTC

    im sorry

15. Charles Mills (Chuck)January 24,2024 at 4:00AM UTC

    If it is any consolation, you are not the first nor will you be the last to experience this. I encourage you as a fellow sufferer of the experience: Know your worth, you made it to the final round. Imagine how great the candidate that beat you out must be! And then remember you made them make a tough choice vs getting to go home early after a slam dunk in the 1st round. If you went the distance against such a great candidate well what does that say about you? Really this should boost your self esteem and I for one am proud of you.

16. S TedfordJanuary 24,2024 at 2:33PM UTC

    Please don’t let it!! You wake up every morning because you have purpose. Rejection doesn’t mean you are not good enough. You have to believe it’s their loss and keep on pushing.

17. AnonymousJanuary 24,2024 at 2:33PM UTC

    oh man, that sucks. Listen, take a day, decompress, and move forward.

18. JessJanuary 24,2024 at 3:38PM UTC

    Oh. This happens all the time. What kills me is what is happening right now in the nonprofit and association job markets. You apply for a job at a particular salary range. You go through 3-4 rounds of interviews with that salary range. Then, they email you and say they are not going to fill this particular position and are doing "reorganization."

    A week later you see that exact job, the exact title and description, but now it is listed for $20-30K LESS a year.

    That said, I completely get it affecting self esteem. Does that to all of us. How I Met Your Mother has an episode that I relate to about all of this. Marshall is going on SO many interviews. Each time, he gives himself a peptalk in the mirror beforehand. The first one talks about how he is strong and confident. By the last one he says, "You are sad. You are beaten down. You are NOT going to cry this time. Then you are going to come home and put your big underpants on."

    I feel that speech in my bones. haha.

19. AnonymousJanuary 24,2024 at 3:59PM UTC

    Ok... So I am a medical professional working in a rural area that is underserved. I had a regional hospital system reach out to me and ask me if I wanted to work for them... In one of their primary care offices where they are desperate for providers... Remember comma they sought me out... So I got a little excited and flattered and went on two different interviews... Two months later, they email me and say they've changed their decision and they no longer need an extra provider...WTH.... A huge and disrespectful waste of my time... When it was taking them more than 2 months. To get back to me, I started getting. A gut feeling that these are people. I don't want to work for because they are disrespectful... You should feel the exact same way. It doesn't matter if you are a physician or a housekeeper... Disrespect for your time and energy is a very bad thing and you don't want to work for these people... Do not take this personally at all. Take a big breath and give yourself a little mental vacation and forget all about these losers... There is something out there. That's just right for you and you just haven't landed there yet.

20. Amy Carissa OliverJanuary 26,2024 at 5:30PM UTC

    I hear you. This happened to me in 2023 with an executive position. They brought me out, they showed me the corporate housing and even had me take measurements. They gave me the full benefits packages to choose from, and we talked about the relocation process. They even mentioned me to some other people who reached out to me to make first contact. And then everything went dark and three weeks later I was told they decided to go with the other person VIA VOICEMAIL. My insides ripped out. It's been almost a year since that happened and I am honestly still bothered even though I ended up in an excellent situation and am generally very happy.

    I have told you this story for a reason.

    You have no control over what other people do and the biases they have that make them make certain choices.

    I have stayed in contact with the recruiting firm that handled me for that executive position, and I would encourage you to reach out to the HR or recruiter that worked with you and see if you can get some insight. Something like, "Hey X, I got the rejection email for the position. I am hoping you might give me a little bit of feedback about my interview. I am very interested in working with [company] and so would love to hear about additional opportunities and ways I can show I fit into the company culture."

    Please also let yourself feel these bad feelings for a bit. Rejection is not something you should just brush off. Authentically feel it and work through it. And if you're not getting the support for that slap to your self esteem from your in-person network, keep coming back here. We're here for you.