The job hunt can be discouraging at times, to say the very least. In the flurry of searches, applications, phone screens, on-site interviews and the interminable wait for callbacks, it’s easy to feel like an anonymous face amid a sea of candidates. It’s perfectly natural to get frustrated when things don’t work out as you’d hoped. But even when you don’t land the job, there’s almost always something of value to be taken away from each one of these experiences.
So, in this season of goodwill, we encourage you to reflect on a recent interview that didn’t go as planned and focus on one particular aspect for which you feel grateful—be it a compliment received, a good piece of advice offered, or the opportunity to learn more about a company or organization that you're particularly excited about.
If you’ve got a free moment (psst: There’s a long weekend coming up.), why not write a personal letter of thanks to the individual who made that positive experience possible to let them know how you feel? Aside from the fact that it’s the “right” thing to do after any interview, regardless of the outcome, taking time to express your sincere gratitude can have a surprising effect. Even a quick note just to thank that person for taking the time to speak with you can (1) relieve them of some of the guilt for having rejected you—never an easy thing to do, regardless of how it may seem from your perspective, (2) make you feel better about an otherwise negative situation, and (3) let you reclaim your identity amid the anonymous masses.
That last point, especially, is worth keeping in mind. Not to sully the purity of the original sentiment, but this simple act can be about more than expressing your appreciation. It may also serve as a reminder of who you are and what you value, which helps you stand out from the crowd of applicants. With the year coming to a quick end, most companies will be looking to do substantial hiring in the months to come. Even if you got passed up the first time around, sending a personalized ‘thank you’ and making your intentions known can keep you in the forefront of a hiring manager’s mind at a particularly crucial time.
Over the next few days, take some time out to reflect (perhaps between bites of gravy-topped turkey with savory homemade stuffing and garlic mashed potatoes). Once you’ve had a chance to collect your thoughts, be sure to reach out and give thanks to someone.
And from all of us at EdSurge, Happy Thanksgiving to you!
