As candidates, one way or another you will experience the feeling of disappointment in your job search. Whether your application was rejected or you find out you didn’t get the job after an interview – we can all agree that disappointment is one of the worst feelings. Changing your mindset and your overall outlook can help you overcome these feelings. Here are some tips that can help you in handling job search disappointments:

Look at the positives

When we find ourselves in a position of feeling disappointed we go straight to the negatives. We criticize ourselves or the company, or the specific interviewer. We think of arbitrary reasons to make ourselves feel better. Next time, reflect on the positive moments. Maybe think about what you learned, what you enjoyed, anything that can be taken as a positive.

Stay Focused

Feeling disappointed often derails us from our job search. When it comes to job searching there is a certain type of focus that needs to be maintained. When you realize that the overall goal is more important than your emotions, it will ultimately lead to your success. Keep a focused mindset, and always go back to what your original plan was.

Let it go

When searching for a job we must always accept that there will be disappointment. We almost must train ourselves to realize that it is a feeling in life that will come up from time to time. And when it comes we need to be prepared to withstand it. Rather than succumbing to disappointment, have your moment – whether it’s an hour, or a day. Take the moment to feel the way you feel and just let it go and push forward. Nothing kills motivation and success faster than when you let your emotions get the best of you.

We must all accept that disappointment is a part of life and we can’t control when it comes up. What we can control is ourselves, and how we handle it. Don’t succumb to the disappointment, learn from it, rise above it and have your success.

When a candidate is granted an interview it is a huge step forward in the process. Typically, candidates will take the opportunity to research the employer, see who they are and really try their best to impress them. However, as candidates you should also take the time to prepare interview questions to ask in an interview. Here is a start to your preparation with three main questions everyone should ask in their interview.

Could you describe a typical day for this role?

Job descriptions say a lot about what the role requires and what skills you need. But it does not tell you how a typical day can look like. Descriptions do not tell you the volume of calls you may receive, or the amount of work there is. Asking this question will clarify what your day may look like, and will offer you more clarity in potentially accepting the role.

What are the growth opportunities for a person in this position?

This question will allow you to see where the position you are interviewing for can potentially take you. It also puts the employer in a position to talk further about the growth opportunities. Whether, they fund an education program, or they promote within their company. This question will really allow you to see your growth potential in the organization.

Could you describe the company culture?

Company culture is an interesting question because this where you can see if you will fit in overall. However, answers for this questions can be vague and it is okay to probe. If an employer answers with fun and dynamic, you can probe and ask what they mean by that. Does it mean the team goes out and participates in outside activities? Is the team a part of sports team? There are many questions that can help in finding out what the company culture is like. Be meticulous and ask the right questions, the interview does not need to be skewed in a different direction. Find out what the culture is like and if it fits within your values it will make the decision of accepting all the easier.

Finding that right opportunity involves many steps, and one of them is interviewing your potential employers. You should be just as impressed with the employer as they should be impressed with you. The questions listed above are guidelines to further questions that can be asked.