Rejection is the act of refusal or dismissal.
At the workplace, rejection is refusal from people at deciding positions (for interviewee, it could be interviewer; for promotion of an employee, it could be manager and more).
For example: If a candidate interviews for a specific job position in an organisation and he/she is expecting to get through it and get selected. However, the interviewee doesn’t select him/her. This response from interviewee is called ‘rejection’. Or it could be said that the candidate was rejected!
In this blog, we’ll help you understand about rejection as we dive in-
- What are common reasons for rejection in job applications or interviews?
- What are the emotional and psychological impacts of repeated rejection?
- How can individuals deal with rejection and maintain their motivation?
- How to overcome rejection?
Rejection is not limited to the perspective of job applications or interviews only. At the workplace, it could be rejection of ideas, promotions, flexibility or anything!
In this article, we strive to help HR professionals so that they can deal better with their employees’ emotions when they say ‘no’ to candidates, ‘no’ to promotions, ‘no’ to team trips and many other situations.
Let’s start with the most common concern of HR professionals- how to deal with candidates who are not selected positively?
What are Common Reasons for Rejection in Job Applications or Interviews?
Though rejection could be from both ends. Either candidate can reject the job offer or the most prevalent: recruiter rejecting many candidates before selecting the ‘one’.
Once a candidate is rejected, the first step of any recruiter must be to email that aggrieved candidate. In a polite tone, convey that ‘you are not selected, but this is not the end’. Then, state the reasons or offer feedback for rejection so that candidates can work upon themselves on for their journey ahead.
Common reasons that you can send in your feedback could be-
- Incomplete/inaccurate submission (application form, resume and other required docs
- Unmatched knowledge base (irrelevant educational qualification, no knowledge of related tools, unaware of domain, etc.)
- Lack of communication skills (requirement of some specific job positions)
- Misfit to organisation’s culture (mission, vision, values, future plans, etc.)
There could be other reasons specific to your requirements. Try analyzing and state the same to the candidate while sending them rejecting mail.
What are the Emotional and Psychological Impacts of Repeated Rejection?
Rejection can have both emotional and psychological impacts on a candidate. So, you could be more considerate in your emails with the rejected candidates.
For that, you have to understand the expected impact on candidate:
- Damaged self esteem
- Eroded individual’s confidence
- Feeling of unworthiness
- Lack of motivation
- Downward spiral of happiness
Here are some responses that you can customise and use to inform the rejected candidates about their application status rather than ghosting-
1. Thank you for your interest in our role. While your qualifications are impressive, we’ve chosen to move forward with a candidate whose experience aligns more closely with our current needs. We appreciate your understanding and wish you the best in your career.
2. Your application showcased strong skills. However, we’ve opted to proceed with a candidate who possesses specific expertise directly aligned with our current requirements. We value your interest and wish you success in your job search.
3. We appreciate your enthusiasm for our position. After careful consideration, we’ve decided to move forward with a candidate whose background closely aligns with the immediate needs of our team. Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you continued success in your career journey.
4. Your application reflected valuable skills. However, at this time, we are moving ahead with a candidate whose experience more precisely matches the demands of our role. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to explore future opportunities with us.
How can Individuals Deal with Rejection and Maintain Their Motivation?
For going one step ahead, you can consider the following pointers to help rejected candidates deal with rejection and maintain motivation-
- SWOT Analysis: Analyse strength, weakness, threats and opportunities of rejected candidates and send them for self-introspection
- Certifications/ Tools: Prepare a list of courses, technical experience required with relevant tools and certifications needed so that candidates be well prepared for their next position
- Motivational Stories: ‘This is not the end’- sometimes you can boost the morale of another person by telling them inspiring stories. You can send them stories of people like- JK Rowling, Jack Ma, Mary Kom, Steve Jobs and more
- Mock Interviews: Suggest to them a few platforms where they can practice giving interviews and get real-time feedback to prepare for the original ones.
- Food Places/ Options: ‘Good food can activate all your five sense organs’. On a lighter note, you can suggest the m food places so that they can heave them and think calmly about whole situation and move ahead with better enthusiasm
- Stress Bursting Activities: When a person is sad, he/she might act like a rock. So, suggest activities like Mandala art, nature walk, musical videos or anything that can just cheer them up for the time being.
One important message you must deliver- “Accept”. Once they accept failure, they can outshine with brighter colors.
Summing Up
Rejection is part and parcel of life, and one can’t avoid in the path of success. We, you and all of us were rejected at some or other point at our workplace. But, holding the rejection and not moving ahead is not the solution.
As a recruiter, you must deliver a message to rejected candidates in humble tone and polite words. Your act of kindness not only strengthens your workplace culture and boosts the motivation of people working with you and at your workplace but also enhances the retention rates.
So, don’t forget the human touch!
Build human relations and thrive.