AWE Alumni Interview: Bouncing Back After Job Search Rejection with Nathaniel Haile

First, it was crucial to remember that there were factors in the hiring-decision process that were out of Nathaniel’s control. The Alberta government had released the 2019 budget during the fall semester, leading to a hiring freeze on public-sector jobs. Unfortunately for him, that added an extra layer of boundaries to his work search process. He continued to apply to positions throughout fall, but the following semester was also filled with uncertainty. 

“To put it into context, it was around March 2020. Everything was shutting down and there was a lot of unknown on the horizon. Not just in my job search, but globally speaking.” After multiple interview rounds with numerous employers, Nathaniel became the top candidate for multiple positions. But due to the hiring budget cuts, the employers were not able to move forward with the hiring process and had to cancel the positions. 

As for the other jobs that he interviewed for, the employers told Nathaniel that they had no “real feedback” for his interviews. “I had answered all the questions precisely. I’ve done pretty well in the process, but I guess it just came down to a matter of choice.” And unfortunately, he was not their choice. 

Acknowledging that, it was important for Nathaniel to learn not to take those uncontrollable factors personally. While we can control what we put on our resume or say in our interviews, we can’t control the qualifications of the other candidates and how employers determine “fit” for a position. 

After the rejections, it came down to recognizing the aspects of the hiring process that Nathaniel did have control over. “I just realized that there’s always room for improvement, even when you think you did perfect (in an interview).” 

Nathaniel spent time reflecting on where he needed to improve; and the answer to that varied from time to time. Sometimes, it came to answering interview questions more concisely. Other times, it came to preparing better questions for the employers or even paying more attention to detail for certain hiring assessments.

“Just because I had to deal with rejection doesn’t mean I had to stop in the process of improving.” 

Nathaniel didn’t wait when it came to reaching out to his Work Experience Coordinators. He frequently updated them on his work search and frequently asked for resume reviews and interview support. 

With the combination of his numerous applications, feedback to consider AND schoolwork on top of everything, Nathaniel’s schedule was getting increasingly busier. “The frustrating part of applying to jobs was that it did take a lot of time to find a work term.” He optimized his time by blocking segments of his schedule in his calendar for applications and interview preparation.

“Because I knew that if I just saw a deadline, I scrambled before it, it wasn’t going to help me.” Instead, he would view the upcoming job application deadlines during the week and dedicated his time to working on the postings that expired during that same week. 

While Nathaniel was reflecting on the ways to improve his applications and interviews, he was also brainstorming the ways that he could improve his experience to further qualify himself for positions. That potentially meant taking more responsibility in his part-time job, getting more involved on campus, or even finding more work experience. He did this so that when it came to his next round of interviews, he had more knowledge and examples that he could use to draw his answers from.

“That was the biggest take away. It’s not just what you do in the job application process, but it’s also what you do outside of it.”

Nathaniel’s biggest tip for anybody searching for work is to ask for feedback. Yes, this can be intimidating– but it’s worth it! It can be difficult to pinpoint where you could have improved in either your resume, cover letter or interview. But when you reach out, gaining the perspective of the employer can be beneficial to your understanding and learning of the hiring process. “And it could be something minor as, ‘oh, we just like the other candidate’, but then you know that you didn’t do anything wrong.” On the other hand, they could also give you valuable constructive feedback that you can apply to your future interviews. 

Nathaniel emphasized the importance of keeping a positive mindset, especially in regards to the knowledge that comes from the experience of applying to jobs. “Experiential learning isn’t just about the job, but it’s about the process. There’s also a lot to learn while you’re in the position and there’s also a lot to learn afterwards.”

“The most valuable thing that I’ve received from my co-op experience is just that. The experience. Because work experience can really form and shape how you move forward in the future, and fortunately my experience with AWE really guides how I move now.” 

Dealing with job rejection can be disheartening, but it is always important to remember that sometimes, there are certain decision factors that are out of your control. Try asking your friend, family member or colleague about a time when they got rejected from a job. They will most likely have an answer! Rejection is a part of life and you’re never alone in that experience. 

AWE doesn’t only offer work experience, but it also offers a safe space to learn how to fall and pick yourself up again when it comes to job applications. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from your resources and strive for improvement.