Have you ever interviewed for a job, thought you did an excellent job, and not gotten the offer? Or perhaps you entered a contest, let’s say a blogging contest, and not won? Not getting the job or not winning, could possibly be the best thing to ever happen. You know why? It forces you to try harder and be a better competitor next time. You have to remember, there is only ONE winner. You won’t quit. You can’t!
Post mortem documentation, and by this I mean analyzing (not over analyzing) what you did well and what you can do better next time is the best lesson to come from that experience.
Questions
Try asking yourself some of these questions:
1. Did I know my audience well enough? Did I do research to truly understand and be able to address their key challenges?
2. Who did I reach out and ask for help from? Did I get the help I was looking for or expecting?
3. Was I persistent in my requests and was my message clear and compelling?
4. Was my timing right?
5. Did I have a call to action?
6. Was I passionate enough or did I hold back?
7. Was I creative or did I sound like anyone or everyone else?
8. What didn’t I say or do that I should have or wanted to but didn’t?
9. Was I performing at my peak performance?
10. What one thing didn’t I do, that in hindsight, I should have?
The Take-Aways
If you are honest with yourself and you look objectively at your actions, chances are, there are opportunities for improvement. There’s no sense it finding fault or blame. We can only control what we can, so let’s not go there. Ultimately, it comes down to…your performance, your awareness, your interest. Did you sell yourself? Did you create a unique value too good to be turned down or let someone walk away from?
Don’t look back and dwell on the could-haves, should-haves. You didn’t. Do it next time, because there will be a next time and you will be better equipped to compete!
My Win
You may know, I am, as usual, writing this for myself! Jacob Share announced the winners of the 5th Annual JobMob Blogging Contest yesterday. I had my fingers crossed (not the best strategy, huh) that I would qualify for one of the top 3 prizes. I really could have benefited from them. I imagined they could have helped propel my blogging and business. But alas, I am happy with the recognition of
“Most ReTweeted Article”
Congratulations to the winners:
1st: Blessy Vaidian
2nd: Donna Sweidan
3rd: Danielle McGaw
To see the full announcement for JobMob, read The Winners of the 5th Annual JobMob Guest Blogging Contest
I know what I need to do now, do you?
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
