Navigating Future Applications After A Rejection

A rejection from a studio is not a no forever. The key is in how you reapply. Rejection hurts. But very often it meant you weren’t quite there.. YET. Reapplying is your opportunity to tell studios you’re someone who improves. (and stay top of mind for them and their peers) Here's a quick guide to how to reapply: 1. Don’t rush back in. One month later means same application, same outcome. Three to six months means enough time to ship new work, rethink old ideas, and show growth. Pace yourself. 2. Know what to upgrade. Get feedback from your applications, our discord community, your peers. Evaluate honestly. What did your portfolio actually say about your skills? Did you articulate your process and player impact? Were you applying for the right level? Take things 1 at time. 3. Improve where it matters. Studios don’t need a completely different you! They need an improved you. Sharper portfolio. Clearer design thinking and communication. New recently shipped content. New feedback loops through mentorship, peers, playtests. Be specific in what you focus on improving. 4. Reapply with receipts. Your message isn’t “please consider me again.” It’s: “Since we last spoke, I’ve shipped 2 prototypes, rewrote my documentation, and refined my level balancing approach. Would love to show you what’s changed.” 5. Follow up without being annoying. Short. Respectful. Confident. No guilt trips. Just a reminder that you’re still working, still improving, still serious. Use email and LinkedIn every 3-6 months (you can ask each studio for guidance on when to reapply) You will eventually run out of studios to apply to. Many designers focus all their effort into new applications. What if more effort went into self growth? This makes reapplying a viable option. What do you think?

Make sure you're taking a long-term view while searching for your next role - that's how you build a career, not just land a job! Three pro-moves: 1. Respond with grace to every rejection and use it as an opportunity to reaffirm your interest in the company more broadly. Why: If you make it pretty far through a process (past the hiring manager), the company likes you and sees a strong match. You would likely do well there, even if another candidate wins out for this role. A positive reaction to a rejection helps strengthen the relationship with the team, and let's them know the door is open to the future. Real Life Results: I've seen others share their successes; I can personally tell you I've received 3 offers from places that have previously rejected me, and 2 were when they circled back within a few weeks to months of a rejection, with another opportunity. Ex. "Thank you so much for this update! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed because COMPANY was truly my top choice, and a place I know I would thrive, but I'm so glad you found a strong match for this opportunity, it's an awesome role and team!! This process has been wonderful and only strengthened my interest in working with COMPANY so I hope you'll keep me in mind for similar opportunities - I'll be keeping my eyes peeled too. Careers are long and I hope we'll have the chance to be colleagues one day!" 2. Take that interview, even if something about the opportunity is less than ideal. Why: Maybe the comp is low, maybe title isn't quite what you wanted. But it's still a chance to learn more and network. If the company is of interest to you, take the chance to learn more. Yes there's an opportunity cost in terms of your time, but it may be worth it to get some networking in. Real Life Results: I've shared before that the initial salary range I was quoted for my job at Zapier was lower than what I would have expected...I continued any way, and fortunately managed to get leveled up which landed me an offer I was happy to accept! In the past, accepting an interview for a job in a location I was not willing to go to also landed me a great opportunity. Ex. There isn't one. Just say yes if there's something appealing - you might decline this opportunity, but open the door to an even better one! 3. Keep in touch with people after networking chats, interviews, etc. Why: Anyone you've met with once is in your network. When you share updates, you keep the lines of communication open. This makes it easier to make an ask in the future, and also keeps you top of mind for them! Real Life Results: This approach has helped me get referrals or connections to hiring managers, some of which have led to offers. Ex. "I know we chatted a few months ago - since our conversation, I completed my certification through PMI, and moved into an agile-focused role in my dept. I'm still interested in opportunities with COMPANY in the future, so certainly keep me in mind in the future!"

I was rejected from 90+% of the project management jobs I applied for Here's how I landed (and thrived) in a Senior PM role. Rejection sucks. When I was trying to level-up in my PM career, I applied for dozens and dozens of jobs. I got ghosted, rejected, or "we've decided to move forward with other candidates" on 90% of them. At first I took it personally. Maybe I wasn't qualified. Maybe I wasn't good enough. But I was wrong. Getting rejected isn't failure. Stopping is. Here's what I learned and leveraged toward a dream PM role: ☝ Stop applying for jobs, start applying for the RIGHT ones At first I sent out a flood of applications. Anything with a PM title, hoping something would stick. Nothing did. So I got strategic. → Evaluated where I was deficient → I tailored my resume → Focused on roles that aligned with my strengths/experience → Spoke directly to the job descriptions of those aligned roles ✌ I turned interviews into case studies Instead of just answering questions, I came prepared with examples. → How I turned around a failing project → How I influenced a difficult stakeholder → How I aligned a siloed team (This became my 3 Projects Framework - check it out in my PM Power Moves newsletter) Hiring managers don't want to hear what you would do. They want proof of what you HAVE done. 🤟 I got comfortable with rejection and used it to improve After every rejection, I did 2 things. Asked for feedback (when possible). And adjusted my approach for the next opportunity. → Refine your stories → Strengthen your positioning → Learn to sell yourself as THE solution to their problems 🖖 Network like it's your job A big shift was when I stopped waiting for job boards to work. Instead, I started connecting with people in the industry. → I got a coach. → I engaged in PM communities. → And reached out to hiring managers for conversations (not jobs). These conversations and relationships lead to real opportunities. 🖐 Play the long game I didn't need every job to say yes. I just needed the RIGHT one. When the right opportunity came, I was ready. (That opportunity came with 2 other offers too). → I landed the role. → I stepped into the challenge. → And I thrived, by leaning on my specific skillset and experience. Rejection isn't the end. It's part of the path to the right opportunity. If you're facing job search frustration as a PM/aspiring one, keep going. Keep refining. Keep showing up. I promise, you'll win. 🤙

Rejection hit harder than I expected. I had spent my entire career getting promoted early, landing top assignments, and proving my value. I thought employers would line up to talk to me. They didn’t. 🚫 Dozens of applications. No responses. 🚫 Referrals leading to interviews. No offers. 🚫 LinkedIn requests. Ignored. 🚫 Job fairs. Interviews happening all around me—but not for me. 🚫 Four-month interview process for my dream job. Came in second. 🚫 A major job referral. Blew the interview. I started wondering: Was I the problem? Then suddenly—a job offer at a great tech company. What changed? I stopped taking rejection personally. Instead, I treated it like a training cycle. ✅ I dissected every experience. What went well? Where did I fall short? ✅ I treated interviews like reps. Informational interviews, mock sessions, refining my message. ✅ I asked for honest feedback. Recruiters might be vague, but the people who referred me weren’t. ✅ I found mentors in the field. They helped me reposition my resume, improve my responses, and fix what I couldn’t see. ✅ I stopped chasing one perfect job. Tunnel vision was hurting me—so I expanded my search. ✅ I celebrated progress. Getting an interview meant I was moving forward. ✅ I leaned on my people. Friends, mentors, and peers kept me sane. The truth? Rejection isn’t a roadblock—it’s a refinement process. Every “no” shaped me. Every misstep made me better. Every setback pushed me forward. If you’re in the middle of it, don’t stop. You’re getting sharper. You’re getting closer. And when you break through? You’ll be glad you didn’t give up. 👉 What got you through rejection? --------------- If this post resonated with you, I’d be grateful if you liked it and followed me (Tony Grayson) for more insights and veteran videos. And if you’re feeling generous, a repost would mean the world. Thank You. Infrastructure Masons Compass Datacenters US Navy Naval Submarine League United States Submarine Veterans Compass Datacenters Northstar Technologies Group, Inc. Nomad Futurist #veterans #veteransupport

The job search process is a masterclass in resilience. Over the past few months, I’ve advanced to final interviews for executive marketing roles but ultimately did not receive the offer. While that can be frustrating, I recognize how fortunate I am to get this far, knowing how tough the market is. Rather than dwell on outcomes, I focus on what I can control: how I prepare, position myself, and improve. That’s why I’ve developed a structured approach to tracking my interview processes, analyzing patterns, and refining my strategy. Here’s what I’ve learned from my recent experiences: 🔹 The process takes time ↳ One interview process took about four weeks, which aligns with the industry average of 4-6 weeks for VP roles. ↳ Another lasted over nine weeks, well beyond the standard for senior marketing positions. ↳ Every company moves at its own pace, but long hiring cycles risk losing strong candidates. 🔹 Finality matters ↳ I appreciate when companies provide a clear rejection rather than leaving candidates in the dark. ↳ While I don't seek feedback (I can’t control others' perceptions), I do value closure. Ghosting doesn’t change my trajectory, but a definitive answer allows me to move forward. 🔹 Rejection isn't personal ↳ In one case, I was told my experience aligned more with a higher-level role, reinforcing how I should position myself in future opportunities. ↳ In another, I was the only candidate to present a tailored strategy deck, yet another candidate was selected. This wasn’t a reflection of my ability but rather an internal decision based on fit. 🔹 Data-driven reflection helps For every final-round interview, I document: ✅ Timeline of the process ✅ Key takeaways from each stage ✅ Industry benchmarks for comparison ✅ Areas for improvement in my approach ✅ Strategic connections made I also make it a point to connect with my interviewers on LinkedIn after the process, whether or not I get the role. Building relationships is invaluable, and you never know when paths will cross again. Since this structured approach has helped me navigate my job search, I’ve put together a Job Interview Report Template as a case study. I hope this can be useful for others going through similar experiences. Feel free to adapt and use it! If you're in the job search trenches, I see you. It’s tough. It’s exhausting. And sometimes, the silence is the hardest part. But every interview is progress. Every "no" brings you closer to the right "yes." If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear—how do you navigate job search setbacks? #JobSearch #Resilience #MarketingLeadership #CareerGrowth

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱? You’re not alone. I have been there too. Getting ghosted after an interview is more painful than being rejected. However, it shouldn't disrupt your job search. You need to apply the right strategies to keep going. Here are some strategic ways to handle it:  1/ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: After an interview, send a thank-you email. If you don't hear back by the expected date, reply with a polite inquiry about the hiring timeline. 2/ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀: Use the silence as a chance to reflect on your interview performance. Identify areas of improvement for future interviews. 3/ 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Continue applying to other jobs and maintaining your job search momentum. 4/ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: If possible, connect with someone from the interview panel or the HR department to get constructive feedback, even if they haven’t contacted you. 5/ 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: Engage with professional networks and industry communities to stay informed and connected, which can lead to new opportunities. 6/ 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲: Experiencing job ghosting can affect confidence. Invest time in self-care and activities that boost your morale and self-esteem. Focusing on these practical steps allows you to navigate the ghosting experience thoughtfully, potentially opening new doors even when others remain closed. Tell me your thoughts. Have you ever been ghosted?

Job hunting can feel endless. You spend hours: ✅ Updating your resume ✅ Writing tailored applications ✅ Preparing for interview after interview You go through multiple rounds… You start to picture yourself in the role… And then the email arrives: “We regret to inform you.” It’s a punch in the gut. I’ve been there. Years ago, I was rejected over 50 times before I finally landed my dream job. And after helping thousands of graduates do the same, here’s what I’ve learned: 👉 Rejection is normal. It doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It just means the fit wasn’t right this time. Here’s how to turn rejection into progress: 1️⃣ Ask for feedback ✔️ Find out why you weren’t chosen. ✔️ Use that insight to improve. 2️⃣ Customise your resume each time ✔️ Match it to the job description. ✔️ Use the company’s own keywords and language. 3️⃣ Practice interviewing ✔️ Don’t assume you’re ready. ✔️ Rehearse answers, record yourself, refine. 4️⃣ Keep in touch ✔️ Send a thank‑you note after interviews. ✔️ Let them know you’d love to be considered in future. 5️⃣ Track your applications ✔️ Use a simple spreadsheet to track dates, responses, and feedback. ✔️ Look for patterns that can help you improve. 6️⃣ Look after yourself ✔️ Rejection is tough—take breaks and protect your energy. ✔️ Celebrate the small wins along the way. Every “no” gets you closer to the right “yes.” Keep going. Keep learning. Keep moving forward. You’ve got this. 💪 📌 If you’re looking for a company that actually invests in its people— Start here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gGrDk9ss ♻️ Repost to encourage someone who needs this today. ➕ Follow Steve J Ngoumnai for more simple, practical career tips.

The worst thing you can do after receiving a rejection is to abandon the relationship you’ve built with the recruiter or hiring manager. If you’re tempted to walk away because of a “no,” try looking at it from a different angle. You never know what other opportunities could come your way. When I was rejected from Apple in the semi-final round, I reached back out to the recruiter, highlighted two other roles I was qualified for, and asked if she could introduce me to the respective hiring teams. Because of how I performed throughout the process and the genuine connection I developed with her, she sent two introductory emails on my behalf. Although I ultimately didn’t land those positions, I gained new contacts and received positive feedback on my file. Here’s my three-step process after a rejection: 1. Follow Up 2. Research other roles you qualify for 3. Send your findings to the recruiter/hiring manager and keep the conversation going You never know what might happen: recruiters and hiring managers could move to other companies where you might be a perfect fit. Or you might discover another role that leads to a “yes.” Don’t underestimate the power of maintaining relationships and following up. #StephSynergy

Lessons from Rejection: How I Used ‘No’ to Get to ‘Yes’ Rejection sucks—there’s no way around it. And if you’ve ever struggled to secure an internship, externship, or just an opportunity to build your resume, trust me, I get it. On LinkedIn, it’s easy to see the highlight reels—the offers, the wins, the big announcements. But what you don’t see are the countless rejection emails that came before them. Before landing my Big Four offer, I faced rejection after rejection. Some of them stung more than others, especially when I thought I was the perfect candidate. But instead of letting rejection define me, I used it as fuel. Every “no” made me ask: What can I do better? What skills do I need to improve? How can I make my resume stand out? Here’s what I learned: ✅ Rejection is redirection – Every “no” pushed me to explore new paths and refine my approach. ✅ Feedback is gold – If a recruiter didn’t provide feedback, I reached out to people who worked at the company. Getting insight from employees helped me understand what I was missing and how to improve. ✅ Consistency wins – I kept applying, networking, and building my skills until I got the “yes” I was working for. ✅ Preparation is key – If it was a company I truly wanted to work for, I made sure that by the next recruiting season, I had gained experiences that aligned with that role—so when I applied again, I was a stronger candidate. So to anyone feeling discouraged, keep going. The right opportunity is out there—you just have to keep preparing for it. #CareerDevelopment #LessonsFromRejection #InternshipSearch #GrowthMindset

Ever been rejected by a company or a job that you really wanted? Been there. Total bummer. Here are four things you can do after being rejected: 1) Reach out to people at the company with similar roles. People love reaching out to recruiters (and hey, we can often help), but people who have the role for the job you want will usually provide so much more insight. 2) Use the job posting to learn. The role is telling you what to do and the company is telling you what they need. Use the posting to learn and see what aligns and where you may need more experience, growth, or skills. 3) Apply *again* to similar(ish) roles. Set notifications for when new roles are posted. The job search is about resilience. Applying to roles where there are overlapping skill sets helps give you the best chance at landing a role at the company. 4) Follow-up. Follow-up with the recruiter, follow-up with a rejection email, follow-up with contacts, and follow-up wit yourself to keep learning. Persistence is key!