Even the most experienced Restructuring Specialist or Technology Architect will have question marks in their heads about whether they’re really ‘right’ for the job they’re applying for.
Interviews throw up all kinds of feelings of insecurity, and we end up comparing ourselves to the other hypothetical applicants. Going through a stringent interview process can feel even worse if you are aware of who your competitors are. It could be past colleagues, or if you’re applying for a promotion, chances are you will be up against someone in the same company.
As much as interview nerves play a part in every successful career, so does interview rejection.
Research has found that the average employee looking for a new job will be turned down by 24 decision-makers before they get a ‘yes’ to a new role.
So while interview rejection is a fact of life, letting it affect you negatively doesn’t have to happen. In this article, I share my top 5 strategies related to how FinTech candidates can successfully handle interview rejection and come back even stronger.
So let’s get started.
- Prepare for the Interview Fully
The best way to have an overall positive interview experience is to put in your best work at every stage. How you behave right from the start, and throughout the interview process will allow you to manage a scenario where the definitive answer is, unfortunately, a ‘no’.
Candidates who have thrown everything they have at preparing for the interview and who have performed to the highest standard that they can are in the best possible position to handle rejection.
With this in mind, always prepare adequately for a job interview. It can be hard fitting in interview prep around your busy job. We understand, and that’s why we’re here to help candidates through the process.
- Don’t Take it Personally
This might be easier said than done, but as a recruiter, I can say with certainty that recruitment decisions are nothing to do with a personal rejection, nor should they be.
FinTech candidates are hired based on their skills and how they will fit into the company’s team. It’s that simple. A ‘no’ is not a personal rejection; it means that you aren’t right for the company at this time.
Some candidates will take interview rejection hard, and it can affect their confidence when applying to new roles in the future. But my best advice is to come back stronger.
Nothing exudes confidence more than a candidate who applies to a company they have been unsuccessful with in the past – which brings me to my next point.
- Keep Applying
Some applicants can have their confidence knocked by a job rejection – which is understandable.
But if you’re looking for a promotion or a different role – keep applying.
This can be to the same company, or for similar roles in different companies. There are plenty of opportunities for FinTech candidates in the UAE right now, and continuing to apply for positions you are interested in is the only way to move your career forwards.
Do not let rejection get in the way of your career goals. An early employer rejected even Walt Disney because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas”.
So keep applying, and work with a recruiter who can search on your behalf.
- Ask for Feedback
Some candidates feel uncomfortable asking for feedback, but I must stress how vital feedback is if you want to be successful in your job applications in the future.
Usually, the reason for a job rejection is simply that someone more suited to the role than you applied. It will not be something you have done ‘wrong’ in the interview or failure on your part.
However, when you are not used to interviews, or your nerves get the better of you on the day, this can cause blips in your interview technique. Even candidates who are qualified for the job and give a great interview sometimes still get a ‘no’, so knowing that you had a good conversation can stop you wondering about the ‘what if’s’.
It can be encouraging to hear from the interviewer ‘you answered most of the questions well, but we would have liked to have heard some more examples of previous products you have engineered’. This way, you will know how to expand on your technique and produce an even better interview next time.
- Learn From Your Experience
A job interview, even an unsuccessful one, is a learning experience that money can’t buy.
Being able to talk in your next interview about a previous interview with a similar company is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and sector knowledge. After all, getting to the interview stage for the role you applied for is something to be proud about.
Plus, the more experience you have at interviews, the more skilled you will become at them. In five or ten years when you are interviewing for an executive position, it is better to have the experience of more interviews under your belt. Think of it like this – every job rejection you get is material that will help you perform better in the next one.
What Next?
Are you a FinTech employee looking for your next role in the UAE? Get in touch with us today so that we can start the search for your next role.
Importantly, we can also guide you through the interview process and supply you with industry insider information that will enhance your job application versus going it alone.
Thanks,
About Flow Talent
Flow Talent have been sourcing the best Banking, Technology & Financial Services professionals locally and internationally for leading organisations across the Middle East region since 2018.
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