Didn’t Get the Role You Applied For? Here’s Your Next Move

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
— Winston Churchill

Last year, you invested time and effort into your career plan and applied for a position in your preferred specialty. You prepared well, updated your CV, and sent off your application. However, things didn’t go as well as you’d planned. Either you weren’t invited to an interview or attended one that seemed to go well, yet you didn’t get the role. And there was no reason or feedback provided.  So, what now?

It can feel very discouraging when you don’t secure the role you were hoping for, whether in your current organisation or elsewhere. Some people take it so personally that they doubt whether they’re good enough to pursue their dream role. How do you deal with this disappointment?

First, I want to assure you this is not a failure. The competition can be enormous, often with hundreds of applicants applying for a limited number of positions. For this reason, recruiters look closely at fit, potential, and other external factors beyond your control (budgets, economic conditions, team dynamics). Even the best candidates, based on experience and reputation, can be passed over.

Whether it’s trying again, changing your approach, or changing careers, you can move forward. 

Let’s look more closely at the options to help you decide what’s right for you.

Reflect and Review

Before making any decisions, assess your application process in detail:

1. Is your CV up to date, including details of your achievements in the past 12 months?
2. Does your cover letter address the specific role requirements?
3. Did someone review your documents to ensure they didn’t contain errors or omissions?
4. Are there any gaps in your skills or experience that need addressing?
5. Were you well-prepared for the interview questions?
6. Did you project confidence in both your application and interview?

Treat every job application and interview as a learning experience, even without detailed feedback.

If the above points all check out, consider consulting a career coach. They can offer expert insights and identify potential improvements that aren’t immediately obvious.

Explore What’s Next

Reflect on what you really want to do. For example:

1. What motivates you each day, and what are your long-term aspirations?
2. Are there specific skills you want to develop, or are you aiming higher for leadership positions?
3. Are financial concerns stopping you from exploring new paths? Do your research – you may be surprised at the remuneration that different roles offer.
4. If money isn’t the primary driver, what else is stopping you from changing your career path?

Try to do this objectively so you can keep an open mind. You may decide to:

1. Continue working in your current role: Put your career aspirations on hold while deciding what to do.
2. Apply for a role at a different organisation: You love what you do, but your current workplace has limited opportunities.
3. Retrain in another specialty: Your current role has extremely limited opportunities to advance, so you use your skills to pursue another field.
4. Look for opportunities in a non-clinical role: You might be surprised at where your skills can be beneficial and easily transferrable. Focus on skillsets, not just job titles.
5. Prepare to reapply next year for the same role if it still feels right: Some positions allow you to reapply up to three times, and you don’t want to give up on the role just yet.

Talk to people in your network and check LinkedIn for inspiration. Talk to a medical career coach to brainstorm ideas. The more informed and prepared you are,  the more confident you’ll feel moving forward.

Conclusion: Your Career Journey Isn’t Over

Remember, rejection isn’t personal, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Give yourself time to regroup and reflect on what you really want to do. Give yourself permission to look at other options where you might discover a path you hadn’t considered that brings even greater fulfillment.  

Anything is possible if you stay open-minded. The role you initially wanted may not be the one that you eventually get and suits you better, By researching, exploring and being flexible, you can create a career that’s fulfilling and rewarding.  

Need support?

I’ve helped many doctors in similar situations find alternate fulfilling opportunities. For example, one of my clients, a staff specialist, retrained and transitioned to another specialty area and found a role with a better cultural fit in another hospital.

As an experienced Medical Career Coach, I’m here to help you review your CV, refine your applications, and navigate career options. Contact me today to take the next step.