Boris Ignachkov Rejection: it’s a hard pill to swallow, especially when it involves your dream job, but we have all been there and know we can bounce back. So, how exactly do you ‘bounce back’ after a vacation scheme fail, you ask? Well, here’s my advice.
Don’t take it personally
Training contracts are few and far, so, for you to have even received a vacation scheme offer let alone a training contract is an incredible achievement. This slight hurdle on your career path is just that, a hurdle. Don’t let it cloud your judgement on what you have learnt and experienced on that vacation scheme.
Recruiters know who’s a right fit for their firm, and just because you don’t fit within that firm’s culture doesn’t mean you won’t in others. Plus, most of us applied to vacation schemes at firms that weren’t our first choice so, I think they have a right to be picky.
Ask for feedback
Asking for feedback after your vacation scheme is key! Throughout the 2 weeks of work experience and through the application process, the recruiter will have feedback on what you did well and what to improve on.
Take notes on this feedback, visually reflect on your performance to assess why they came to those conclusions and try to implement these improvements for future employers. Remember don’t go to the polar opposite with your adjustments, balance is key!
Next steps
Don’t be scared or discouraged! No one ever said a vacation scheme guarantees a training contract. Remember out of the 15 (rough number) of you, most likely only 3 got a training contract. The important thing to take forward from this experience is how you will use it to further benefit your future applications and job prospects.
Now use that reflection and visualisation to jump back on that career horse and land the job you deserve!
P.S. We all know networking is important, so, stay in contact with colleagues you make on that vacation scheme, they may be beneficial in the future.