Have you been told you're a backup candidate, or that you only * just * missed out. Listen to this episode before you let those feelings of rejection creep in!In this episode, Emma and Sarah discuss what it means and what you should do. We explain why it's not necessarily a bad thing and share our own success stories of hiring or being hired as a backup candidate. We also chat about how the "if I'm not their first choice I don't want it" mindset isn't always helpful or applicable in the job search [note, we definitely DO support this energy in your dating life].š Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Brittany! āI am obsessed with this podcast. You both haveĀ theĀ best voices, I literally soak up everything you both say.Ā I'm onĀ aĀ temporary contract at workĀ andĀ didn't want to return to my substantive position, so started applying for other external jobs.Ā TheĀ first interview I absolutely bombed, but then I found your podcast! (I have been atĀ theĀ same company for 9 yearsĀ andĀ have hadĀ aĀ lot of internal transfers, so don't have much interview experience/ I usually try to avoid them likeĀ theĀ plague). I was feeling really deflated/stuck,Ā andĀ just lacking confidence in my ability to ever get another job because I thought my interview skills were that bad. After listening to your podcast though I felt so incredibly empoweredĀ andĀ aware of my transferable skills. I got an interview withĀ aĀ government agency, which I would have previously found so scaryĀ andĀ intimidating. I treated your podcast likeĀ aĀ bible while I prepared for that interview,Ā andĀ went into it feeling so confidentĀ andĀ prepared! It was inĀ aĀ different area to where I live, so I knew I probably wouldn't get this job, but wanted to do well to prove to myself I could do thisĀ andĀ to hopefully get intoĀ theĀ merit pool for local positions. My nerves didn't getĀ theĀ best ofĀ meĀ andĀ I answered allĀ theĀ questions well. I even stayed firm onĀ theĀ days I would be willing to travel ifĀ theĀ hybrid arrangement was negotiable. I receivedĀ aĀ call from one ofĀ theĀ panel members afterwards with absolute glowing feedbackĀ andĀ to tellĀ meĀ I'm successfully inĀ theĀ merit pool for local positions overĀ theĀ next 18 months (They said I had everything they were looking for, but there was no wriggle room onĀ theĀ hybrid arrangement). Even though I didnt get that position, I have never felt more proud of myselfĀ andĀ am still on suchĀ aĀ high. I have even since hadĀ theĀ confidence to speak to my current manager about career development opportunities/Ā aĀ permanent role in her team. This has lead to really great internal feedback on how I'm doing,Ā aĀ permanent job offerĀ andĀ reassurance that there will be upcoming managerial positions that I would be suitable for. I'm still working upĀ theĀ courage to ask forĀ aĀ salary review. All in all, my situation hasn't changed financially or in terms ofĀ aĀ better title, but my mindsetĀ andĀ self confidence has improved immensely. KeepĀ theĀ podcast coming! I would love to hear more on creating internal champions/mentorsĀ andĀ networking! (Especially when your mentors are very busyĀ andĀ you work remotely so don't get many chances to speak to them) Thanks girls xāResources Mentioned:š„Our episode about rejection: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/54b5ba16-d654-46ae-a338-cb7c39785fe5ā Did our podcast help you out? Want to say thank you in coffee form? Shout us a virtual coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/interviewbossš To book an interview coaching session with Sarah, go to www.interviewboss.com.au/coachingšĀ Follow us on Instagramš»Ā Check out our website for free jobseeker resourceswww.interviewboss.com.au