How to avoid interview rejection

If you're being continually rejected for jobs, you might want to try adjusting your attitude as well as your CV, says Lynn Humphrey, partner at Blue Chip Coaching.

"There is a real risk in the idea of being constantly rejected that you adopt a victim mentality," she says.

"If people are perceiving that they are being rejected constantly, it may well be a form of self-fulfilling prophecy. Job hunting is a process that often requires a number of applications to get the job that's right for you."

It is important that you don't view the professional rejection as a personal rejection.

"Good sales people, even though it's statistically incorrect, would say that 10 rejections are good because it means that you are getting closer to that sale."

Humphrey says to reflect on whether there was a good match between your skills, attributes and experience and the position you applied for. Don't adopt a mentality that just because you've been missed out on the past 10 jobs that you'll probably miss out on the next one as well because it will show.

"The chances are that when you present for an interview you're already looking like someone who's rejection material, so to speak."

To keep yourself positive, Humphrey suggests that you celebrate and acknowledge your achievements along the way. For instance, even if you don't get the position in the end, celebrate the fact that you were interviewed for it. Think back on your interview in the third person. Watch yourself as though you were watching a video of yourself and ask what you could have done better. Rather than viewing it as a failure, simply view it in terms of the company and you did not see a match between the two parties.

"That's a very different process psychologically than staying, 'I stuffed up' or 'I have been rejected'."

Humphrey says a lot of people approach job interviews with the totally wrong mentality.

"The whole concept that you are going to an employer and the employer has the power to reject you and make you a victim, in my view, is the wrong way to go about it."

If you're not landing a job after several attempts, Humphrey suggests checking that your mind, your attitude, your behaviours and your emotions are in the right space. Is your heart really in it or are you being driven by necessity and scarcity rather than opportunity? And above all, if the same old CV is not working, turf it.

"If you're doing the same thing and expecting a different result, I've heard that described as a definition of insanity. If it's not serving you well five times, my question would be, why are you doing it a sixth time and expecting something different?"

Larry Small, director of recruitment company Executive Appointments, says it is helpful to have a few different versions of your CV tailored for various different types of positions and always write a fresh cover letter after having read the job advertisement carefully.

"They [job hunters] should think carefully about what's being sought and what requirements are set out in the advertisements and then write to match what they can offer in that role."

Small says not to provide an overkill of information or have a verbose CV. And in the interview, know when to shut up.

"Something I'm very conscious of is people that oversell themselves. They've presented. They've answered all the questions and you put a tick beside them and then they carry on talking for another 20 minutes. They can sell themselves all the way in and all the way out again."

At the end of the interview always ask for feedback and then follow up.

"Realise that you're dealing with probably a busy manager if the company are doing the recruiting themselves or if they are consultants, they are probably dealing with a lot of inquiries. Rather than sitting back and waiting for the company to call, be a little bit pushy, proactive and follow up."

Small says even though the labour market may be tight, the same old rules apply.

"Although there is a shortage of people in some sectors, we're finding that for the leading companies it is competitive."

And for people who do find themselves being made redundant or having trouble finding work, Small offers this advice.

"You've got to be philosophical. If you've been made redundant for the third time say, 'I've been unlucky. However, perhaps I'll find a better opportunity than I would have had if I'd stayed where I am'."