You did everything right. You tailored your resume, wrote a custom cover letter, learned all you could about the organization, and knocked it out of the park during the interview – all for a job you thought you could do well at a company you were sure you’d love. With so much work behind you, how do you move on when a company’s “we’ll be in touch” ends with “we went with someone else”?

Though this may be the end of this job application, it isn’t the end of your search – or your career. Here are four ways to move on after a prospective employer turns you down:

Ask for feedback.

When you were sure you’d be a shoo-in for a job, only to hear “no thank you,” the rejection stings. But one of the best things you can do is to ask, in a polite and professional tone, for feedback. A brief letter or email to the hiring manager, thanking him or her for the opportunity to interview and asking for feedback on your performance, can help you identify your weaknesses so you can shore them up before you speak to a new potential employer.

Worded properly, this note can also leave a strong positive impression on the hiring team, improving the chances you’ll be offered an opportunity when a similar spot opens up in the future.

Assess the situation from a distance.

Disappointment triggers a host of negative feelings: sadness, frustration, even anger. It’s okay to put the whole thing aside for a few days in order to gain perspective on the process, especially if you were really excited about the opportunity or felt you were an ideal fit. Take a week or so to attend to your daily responsibilities and usual schedule and then reconsider your performance and the job opportunity you were looking at.

Apply what you’ve learned.

After an honest appraisal of your own performance and any feedback the employer is willing to give, take some time to decide how you’re going to change your approach – if at all – for the next application. Will you sharpen your knowledge of the company’s needs for the interview? Spend more time discussing your accomplishments? Tweak your resume? Ask a trusted colleague to give you an unbiased opinion as well.

Reconnect with your recruiter.

Don’t forget to update your recruiter and provide feedback about your experience interviewing with the company. Your recruiting firm may also be able to provide feedback that will help you reassess your performance and come back to the job search with a fresh outlook. If you’ve never worked with a recruiter, consider connecting with one today. You’ll gain a valuable ally in your job search and access to many jobs that aren’t posted in conventional channels.

At SMR Group Ltd, our experienced recruiters can help you move forward in your job search, turning yesterday’s “no thanks” into tomorrow’s “when can you start?” Contact us today to learn more about our marketing career opportunities in the pharmaceuticals, medical, and biotech industries.