You worked hard, you did everything right, you researched the company, you drafted and edited the perfect resume, you practiced and polished your interview techniques, and in the end you were rewarded with…nothing. You didn’t get the job. Despite your best effort and preparation, you were turned away in favor of another candidate, and you’d really some closure and a little more information. Here are a few follow up tips that can help you complete this chapter and make the most of the experience instead of just walking away.

Want to know something? Just ask.

If you went home after your interview and started waiting by the phone…and waiting, and waiting, and waiting…then it’s time to gather your courage and get the response you need and deserve. Contact the company three days after your interview to check in. After that, continue following up once per week until you get an answer. Stay polite and respectful, and recognize that more than a month of silence means no. At that point, ask one more time, but instead of saying “Did I get the job?”, ask “Can you provide me with any further information about the job?” Then you can finally change course and move on.

If you were clearly rejected, ask why.

You have nothing to lose at this point, and your question is legitimate and reasonable. The company may respond in any way they choose, or not at all, but give them a chance. Don’t be discouraged if you hear a non-answer like “We can’t tell you why”, or “We chose to go in another direction.” But if you hear something more meaningful and specific, like “We needed a few more years of experience,” thank the employers for their honesty.

Put what you learn to good use.

Take something useful away from this experience. Extract a lesson– or several– and apply those lessons to your next application. It doesn’t matter what they are, as long as they’re rooted on a foundation of beliefs that are positive and confident, not self-doubting or cynical. Maybe you need to start looking for jobs that better match your skills. Maybe you need to pay more attention to spelling, grammar and detail in your next application. Maybe you need more patience, more resilience, or a radical change to your strategy. In any case, if your decisions are conscious and deliberate, your search will stay within your control.

Turn to the career management professionals at Expert Staffing for more strategies on how to shape your approach and land the job you need.