Several nights ago I was watching a baseball game. The batter for the home team hit what looked like a home run at the bottom of the 9^th inning.  Although the home team was behind by 2 runs, the bases were loaded, and a home run would have resulted in a victory for the home team. As the ball sailed towards the stands, the outfielder make a spectacular jump, and caught the ball in the tip of his glove; the home team lost.  I can imagine the frustration that the batter felt as he watched his winning effort thwarted.  You may find yourself asking, what does this have in common with my job search?

How many of us have been told by hiring managers, “Although your credentials and presentations were excellent; you placed second among all our applicants”. Now that I am in job search mode, there are several thoughts that come to mind.  If you reach second place in the Olympics, you receive a silver medal.  If you reach second place in the US Open, you receive a cash award.  If you are playing Monopoly, and you pick the card that says you have won second place in a beauty contest, you collect $20.00.  If, however, a hiring manager tells you that you placed second among all candidates interviewed, you return to job search, feeling rejected and unrewarded.  The larger questions here are:

1) What can you learn from this experience that will help you in the future?

2) How do you deal with the frustration of being so close to landing the position?

This experience becomes even more upsetting today, as many candidates are interviewed several times by the same company before a hiring decision is made.  As a result, it becomes even more painful to hear that, after the fourth interview, the company you applied to chose another candidate.  If you have had this experience before, I feel your pain. I realize, however that how we deal with, and recover from failure is equally as important as how we handle success.  Here are some suggestions that you may find helpful:

1) Contact the hiring manager.  Thank him for considering you as a candidate.  As part of the thank you, ask him the following questions:

- Can you provide some insight as to why I placed second (or third)?

- Was there anything in my presentation, appearance, or credentials that prevented me from being the candidate of choice?

- Are you aware of any issue in the screening process (for example a less than satisfactory credit record or a statement on my resume that you could not verify) that disqualified me as a candidate?

- Is there any additional training that you might suggest that would improve my chances of being hired by the next prospective employer?

2) Write a resurrection letter. Although some web sites (notably dummies.com) suggest this technique as a way to draw attention to a stalled application, this method can be equally helpful if you are not accepted for a position. A resurrection letter thanks the perspective employer for their time investment and re-iterates your best qualities. You should state that you are still interested in the position and ask to be re-considered if a similar need arises.

3) I have finished reading “10 Ways To Keep Hope Alive During Your Job Search,” which also appears in this publication. I highly recommend printing this article and taping to your refrigerator. I find the last 2 points (about exercising and never giving up) are among the most important.  Exercise forces you to breathe properly, and breathing properly helps to relieve stress and depression.

4) I have two personal facts from my past that prove keeping hope alive is paramount.

- Several years ago, I was told by Human Resources that I placed third among their candidates for a position.  The first two candidates, however, did not accept the position.  I accepted the offer; it was one of the most rewarding positions I have held to date.

-There was another position I applied for, where I placed first among all candidates. It was first advertised eight months prior to my hiring.  Although I promptly applied, it was seven months before I received a call back from the perspective employer. Four weeks and four interviews later, I had an offer. These are the thoughts that keep me going as I continue my job search.

Good Hunting!

-By Howard K. Young, Contributing Writer & Member of The 405 Club.

View all of Howard’s posts here.