How to Cope with Retracted Job Offers

Getting your first job offer is a truly exciting moment – until the other shoe drops. While having a job offer withdrawn is typically rare, it can still happen. And if it does, it will be up to you to know how to handle the situation.

Everything was in place just before you graduated – after numerous internships and a lengthy interview process, you managed to land a role before graduation. You then enthusiastically rented your graduation gown, planned the outfit 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 convocation ceremonies to rushed virtual goodbyes over your last days in school. And if that was not enough, your future company rescinded their offer.

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

Take time to deal with the shock Grieve so you can move on

Even if you were aware that your offer might be revoked – you saw fellow graduates have their own offers rescinded – getting the news itself may still lead you to the six stages of grief. And if you were mere weeks or days away from reporting for your first day of work, the surge of adrenaline and shock you got from the news may even leave you feeling emotionally drained and unable to think straight.

Give yourself the chance to calm down. Sit still for a few minutes and wait for your brain to start working rationally again. Once you have processed the shock, you can think about your next step. Suddenly finding yourself adrift without your job offer anchor is jarring and will leave you feeling off-kilter. To make matters worse, in the middle of this new normal where change often comes at the drop of a hat, your feelings of rejection can be intensified several times.

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

Some common symptoms of shock

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

Understand why the company rescinded your offer

Before you start thinking the worst of the company, think about this simple truth: Companies do not want to take back job offers once they send them out. They usually only retract offers when they have little to no choice. For instance, in pre-pandemic times, companies usually only revoked offers due to negative or unprofessional candidate behaviour post-interview.

This is because hiring processes are not just a strain on your time and resources – they are hard on recruiters and company resources, too. Chances are, in the wake of slashed budgets in this new normal, their changed financial situation means that the role is either no longer available, or they are forced to freeze hiring.

Update your job search plan and expand your search Jump back in

You can stick 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 casting a wider search net, and look at employers who offer 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 accounting consultancy that was rescinded, you can tweak your plan and apply to the accounting department in an IT company. In the wake of the severe blow dealt to the job market, schools have stepped up their efforts to help graduates. On top of the career advice that career coaches typically offer you on campus, 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 letter further before sending them out!

Also, check in with your 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 attend. Do not disregard other methods of finding a job, too! For instance, you can take up a traineeship or graduate internship. If you do well, your manager may even offer you a full-time position at the end of your time there.

Conclusion:

Getting your job offer retracted is a painful experience. It will severely test your resilience, perseverance and mental fortitude. Keep your head up high, and do not give up on yourself. While it is unfortunate that your job offer has been rescinded, you can bounce back if you keep trying. After all, you still have much to give – you just need to let others know that!