Handle Rejection with Grace

It's hard to be gracious when a prospect tells you that you were not chosen for an opportunity or position you desperately wanted.

Yet, your "grace under fire" is important. One reason is that it's a small world, and the fact that you even qualified for the short list puts you in a relatively rarefied atmosphere. Out of all the people in the world, you were one of the few who made the initial cuts!

More important, taking the time to thank your prospect for the opportunity of talking with them keeps you in the running for future opportunities. Circumstances change. The candidate selected may have received a better offer elsewhere, or may not work out as well as hoped. Other opportunities at the firm may open up for you.

Never burn a bridge or fail to acknowledge a rejection with a Thank You. Your Thank You is the first step towards ensuring your consideration for the next opportunity to come along.