Navigating Rejection Letters for Older Job Seekers
Let's face it. If it isn't bad enough to go through dozens of interviews for one position, or no interviews at all for any positions, what's even more debilitating is receiving form letter rejections. One after another. If you have a few of those in your digital circular file, you are not alone. It is better to receive a rejection letter than no response at all, which leaves you wondering if your resume was even received or reviewed. The rejection letter indicates that your job application, resume (or interview) did not go completely unnoticed. The potential employer determined that you were not a "bot" and that your years of work experience warranted some acknowledgment and response, even if the acknowledgment is that they do not want to hire you. One would hope that, if you actually made it through the initial screening and completed an interview, the rejection would be a little more personal. Unless you were drooling and sleeping through your interview, you deserve a phone call from the recruiter to let you know they are not proceeding with your candidacy because there are other candidates whose skills are a better match. Indeed, when we check our ego in at the door, we have to admit that we are not always the number one choice. On the other hand, there are far too many times, as we have reiterated in the past, when our age (or any other number of discriminatory factors) may be a deterrent.
A letter indicating that you are not being considered (or further considered) for a job is a rejection. Rejection is not a good feeling. However, when we reflect on the fact that hundreds, maybe thousands, of other job seekers are receiving similar communications, that rejection should feel just a little bit less painful. If, like me, you have relied on humor throughout your lifetime to make difficult situations just a little bit less so, those unwanted letters provide a perfect opportunity for a few chuckles. Consider this:
Look at what the letter says and think about what they are really saying (e.g., "We have decided to pursue candidates with more relevant experience," may mean, "less experience but lower salary requirements," or "younger." Have some fun! Rewrite the letter (see example picture above), with what you think they would say if political correctness didn't exist.
Pretend you are a high school English teacher and find all of the grammatical and punctuation errors and correct the letter. Consider sending it back with your markups. JUST KIDDING! Save the markups for yourself as a reminder that you narrowly escaped going to work for a company whose staff has marginal grammar skills or who pay little attention to QA and detail. Mind you, it's possible you won't find any errors. In that case, move on and add the letter to your file.
Conduct a sociological study. Have AI/ChatGPT recreate your resume based on the job description and generate a specific cover letter. Re-apply for the job using the AI-generated resume and cover letter. Consider a variation on your name and a different email address to "trick" the recruiting ATS system so it doesn't reject you immediately as a prior applicant. An experiment like this will teach you any number of things:
Your resume may need an overhaul
There is value to customizing your cover letter for every job
AI/ChatGPT can enhance your job search
You are a complete mismatch for the job(s) you are applying for
Resumes and cover letters, no matter how perfect, are not a substitute for networking and knowing someone at the company
If you are Over 50 and job hunting because you need a job (as many of us do), every rejection can feel like the end of the world. It can trigger your fears and anxiety. Sometimes one letter (after receiving a few prior such letters) can be the straw that broke the camel's back, leading you to feel that you will never, ever, find another job and that it is all hopeless. Again, many of us have been there. On the other hand, many of us have been laid off after 50 and have ended up with multiple other job offers. The current job market (in 2023) is very tight for knowledge workers, but a potentially good market if you work in the hospitality industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Note, however, that at the time of this writing, hotel workers are on strike in the state of California). This competitive job market should normalize, though it may take a little longer than you are comfortable waiting. Take a deep breath. Remember that summer is a slow time and that companies resume their active hiring in the fall; that is predicted to be true in 2023, as in prior years.
If you are job hunting, expect that you will receive an occasional rejection letter and find whatever works for you to make it less painful. Consider, perhaps, that there is a better opportunity out there waiting for you instead of the one that resulted in a rejection letter. Be selective. Continue to celebrate your current and past achievements. Don't sell yourself short. Be persistent and consistent. This too shall pass.