How to Cope with Retracted Job Offers

Getting your frst job ofer is a truly exciting moment – until the other shoe drops. While having a job ofer withdrawn is typically rare, it can still happen, and if it does, it’ll be up to you to know how to handle the situation.

Everything was in place just before you graduated – afer numerous internships and a lengthy interview process, you managed to land a role before graduaton. Adultng awaits! You then enthusiastcally rented your graduaton gown, planned the outit you would wear underneath and even picked out the most suitable pair of shoes to walk in across the stage to receive the proof of your degree.

Then the pandemic hit, turned the economy topsy-turvy and reduced physical convocaton ceremonies to rushed virtual goodbyes over your last days in school. And if that wasn’t enough, your future company rescinded their ofer.

The best-laid plans can go awry. But the combinaton of your security blanket (or rug) being tugged out from above (or below you) so quickly, coupled with the uncertainty prevalent in everyday life, means that you’re not coping well. You may have even fallen into a rut. How can you get out of this funk? Here are some tps to help you.

It’s okay to take time to deal with the shock

Even if you were aware that your ofer might be revoked – you saw fellow graduates have their own ofers rescinded – getng the news itself may stll lead you to the six stages of grief. And if you were mere weeks or days away from reportng for your frst day of work, the surge of adrenaline and shock you got from the news may even leave you feeling emotonally drained and unable to think straight.

Give yourself the chance to calm down. Sit stll for a few minutes and wait for your brain to start working ratonally again. Once you’ve processed the shock, you can think about your next step.

Some common symptoms of shock

• Rapid and shallow breathing • Feeling lightheaded or nauseated • A foggy mind • A tght feeling in your chest • Irregular heartbeat

Grieve so you can move on

Suddenly fnding yourself adrif without your job ofer anchor is jarring and will leave you feeling of-kilter. To make maters worse, in the middle of this new normal where change ofen comes at the drop of a hat, your feelings of rejecton can be intensifed several tmes.

Understand that it’s okay to grieve for the role you never got the chance to fll. Take some tme to retreat from the world and wallow for a bit. Work on getng rid of any self-defeatng scenarios in your head, take some tme to re-focus and get ready to jump back into the game.

Understand why the company rescinded your ofer

Before you start thinking the worst of the company, think about this simple truth: Companies don’t want to take back job ofers once they send them out. They usually only retract ofers when they have litle to no choice. For instance, in pre-pandemic tmes, companies usually only revoked ofers due to negatve or unprofessional candidate behaviour postinterview.

That’s because hiring processes aren’t just a strain on your tme and resources – they’re hard on recruiters and company resources, too. Chances are, in the wake of slashed budgets in this new normal, their changed fnancial situaton means that the role is either no longer available, or they’re forced to freeze hiring.

Update your job search plan (and expand your search)

You can stck to the original plan you had adhered to during your job hunt in university. But if you think you need to update it, or even draw up a new one, please do so by all means!

Also, consider castng a wider search net, and look at employers who ofer roles related to your course of study, but may not be in the industry of your choice. For instance, if your degree is in accountancy and you were just about to step into a job in an accountng consultancy (that was rescinded), you can tweak your plan and apply to the accountng department in an IT company.

Jump back in

In the wake of the severe blow dealt to the job market, schools have stepped up their eforts to help graduates. On top of the career advice that campus career centres typically ofer graduates, they now also provide new modules and training. Leverage on the opportunity and familiarise yourself with video interviews, as well as how to tailor your resume and cover leter further before sending them out!

Also, check in with your campus career centre for dates on physical and/or virtual networking sessions and career fairs, and make it a point to show your best self when you atend. Don’t disregard other methods of fnding a job, too! For instance, you can take up a traineeship or graduate internship. If you do well, your manager may even ofer you a full-tme positon at the end of your tme there.

Getng your job ofer retracted is a painful experience. It will severely test your resilience, perseverance and mental forttude. Keep your head up high, and don’t give up on yourself. While it’s unfortunate that your job ofer has been rescinded, you can bounce back if you keep trying. Afer all, you stll have much to give – you just need to let others know that!