I Did NOT Get the Job — Here’s What I Learned

In spite of having the best interview of my life…NOT getting the job taught me some crucial lessons

What’s so grand about not getting that cushy copywriting job you’ve been considering? What’s to boast about or smile about…or write your next blog about…when that really cool company decided to “go in another direction?”

Well, I’m glad you asked.

I’ve been working as a freelancer for a little over three years now. Quite frankly, going with freelance writing has been the best career move of my life.

Looking back, I can hardly believe how far I’ve come in such a short period of time. Building my freelance business has been one of the biggest challenges (and joys) of my life. And it would take an awfully good job offer to make me walk away from that.

And I think they knew that.

Job Opportunities

I have not been looking for a job or even thinking about it. But my resume and LinkedIn presence along with my portfolio are attracting lots of recruiters. I get weekly messages asking me about my freelancing rates or inviting me to interview for a writing position. Most of the messages, honestly, are from spammers who want me to pay them to host my work.

Hard no.

One Job Opportunity Looked Good

One opportunity caught my attention. Originally, I thought it was an inquiry for freelancing work. But no, it was for a scheduled 40-hr-work-week employee position thing I swore to the high heavens I’d never, ever do again.

The position was exactly in my wheelhouse and I’d work with some very talented people. They pay very well. And there’s that dangling carrot of full benefits.

So, I agreed to a phone call, then another, then a third interview. By this point, I was seriously considering how this opportunity would benefit my career and my life. And whether or not I was ready — or ever would be — to give up freelancing.

I prepared for the interview quietly…while balancing the work for all of my freelancing clients and battling deep pangs of guilt. I shoved those feelings aside and did my work. That’s professionalism. But, I still felt really guilty…for the record. What if I suddenly took the job and left my clients hanging? This truly worried me.

Interviewing 101

Interviewing tips are all over the internet. I spent days — no, weeks — preparing for what would be my third interview with this very desirable copywriting firm.

They had pursued me. They had asked me to apply.

They had screened me once, then a second time, and invited me for a third video interview with a panel of their hiring staff. To say I was nervous was an understatement.

✅ Submit the application, the cover letter, and the required writing sample

✅ Schedule the interview

✅ Spend several days self-caring the hell out of yourself to help with the nerves

✅ Do (lots of) research on the company

✅ Prepare a list of questions to ask (should they ask you for it at the tail-end of the interview)

✅ Prepare for the standard go-to interviewing questions

✅ Look nice for the interview — I wore my new Stitch Fix blouse, slacks, and navy blazer. I even did my hair and makeup. (That took hours.)

✅ Be concise, professional, friendly, and enthusiastic

✅ Maintain that all-important eye contact and display professional body language

✅ When answering questions, match up your skills and background to the requirements of the job listing

The interview began. The interviewers were friendly and each question seemed to flow naturally. Shockingly, I wasn’t even fidgety in my chair.

I covered all the bases.

I wowed.

And for whatever reason, they chose to “go in another direction.” I recieved a standard cut-and-paste response in less than 48 hours.

It happens. There’s no reason to be disappointed or deflated. Because every moment is a teaching moment.

Post-Job Interview Tips

1. Send a thank you email once you’ve been told they are going with another candidate (or whatever) and let them know you are thankful for the opportunity. ASK FOR FEEDBACK. Many interviewers are happy to provide a few helpful tips for you so your next interview is even more polished.
2. Look back over your list of “pros and cons” for working for this particular company and remind yourself of the things you wouldn’t have liked. Look for the silver lining here. There is one, I promise.
3. Think of the experience you have gained. What did you do well? Can you find some new confidence here?
4. Remind yourself that if you made it to the screening calls and interviews, rounds 1, 2, 3, etc., then there’s something impressive about you and your skillset that makes you valuable. An asset. This is something to be proud of.
5. Journal or write about the emotional journey. It can help you soothe any aching wounds to your ego.
6. Think about how far you’ve come. Remember your first job interviews? Those didn’t go so well, right? It may help to focus on your progress and accomplishments rather than tallying one big failure from this one opportunity that didn’t bear fruit.
7. Lastly, don’t lick your wounds. Straighten your spine and lift that chin up. Look for the next opportunity to polish up your job interview performance…because really, in a lot of ways, that’s what it is — a performance.

Stay Positive

When one door closes…you know the rest. This is all about perspective. How you handle your disappointments, in my humble opinion, says far more about your character than your wins do.

So, while I didn’t get the cushy copywriter job…I did get a third interview, based on the very skills, talents, and experiences I built (from scratch!) with my self-employed freelancing career.

I did that.

When so many people desperately want a writing career and are hustling their tails off (I promise, I have too)…I have actually done it. I’ve set the stage for a very lucrative career in writing. And of this — I should be mighty proud.

I do need to say this: I felt instantly relieved that I didn’t get the job.

Honestly, I would have made the best of it (working for someone, I mean, even if it’s a GREAT company) so that I could have the company-paid health benefits. I would have been good at it. Possibly moved into management in a few years, given the opportunity.

But for now, the company wanted a different candidate. And that’s ok. Because taking this job would have broken my little freelancing heart.

Because I love the work that I do.

I get up every day excited about coming to work (in my living room home office) and I feel positively hopeful about the growth I’m seeing in my business each year. That’s truly something to be proud of.

There’s only one thing on the work horizon that’s got me a little worried…and that article is coming next.

Stay tuned: Fiddleheads & Floss Newsletter.

Christina M. Ward is a freelance writer in cannabis, wellness, and clean beauty. Christina’s professional work has been featured in Today’s Health Science, LA Weekly, Village Voice, Men’s Health, and OK! Magazine, among others.

Christina also writes on personal journey, productivity, and relationship topics for Medium publications like this one. If you want to read more of her work on Medium use this join link for unlimited access. A portion of your small monthly dues will go to support the work of the writers and poets that you read.

Books: Amazon. Newsletter: Fiddleheads & Floss Newsletter.