There are turn downs when you know you weren't even close and feel no real connection to the hiring manager and there are turn downs when you know you were a 'contender'. Well Rocky didn't give up and neither should you. Convert that turn down into a network opportunity.
A friend recently came very close to landing her dream job. All the 'buy' signs seemed to be there - she'd been asked about salary, references were requested and the hiring manager kept making comments about the work they could do together. Then the trail simply went cold. After several attempts at communication, she finally got a call from the hiring manager, who told her she was very talented and a wonderful candidate, but the screening committee had selected someone else for the job. To further cement that feeling of connection, the hiring manager offered to refer my friend within the organization, should other similar positions arise.
My advice to my friend was to convert the turn down into a networking opportunity. I suggested she book a lunch with the hiring manager to solicit advice on her performance during the interview process and get some referrals to other network connections. Taking this action is additional evidence of her skill as a career coach and should further impress the hiring manager.
The most critical tool you have in today's marketplace is your network. You MUST continue to find ways to expand it in order to land your next job and then MUST remember to nurture it as a means of managing your career.
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