How do I not get discouraged from getting passed over for a promotion?

Question

I just had an interview yesterday morning and I know I did great! Unfortunately, they chose someone else... So my question to you, all-knowing yahoo community: How do I go from "I did my best," and not go to, "My best wasn't good enough?"

Thanks for the encouragement

Good luck with your company B

Answer 1

It's really hard not to get discouraged. If you have the kind of relationship with your boss where you feel comfortable asking, then that's the best thing to do. You might get some concrete feedback on why the other candidate was chosen, and use that to shape your performance goals until you get another opportunity. It could be that they just went with a more experienced candidate, and there is nothing wrong with that--- someone with 10 years experience will be a stronger choice than someone with 5, and that's no personal reflection on you.

Also sometimes companies have the person already picked out when they announce the position but they have to go through the interviewing process for other candidates anyway. That's common in bigger companies, and if that's the case with you, then just be glad you got some extra interviewing experience under your belt.

Answer 2

It's not about "my best not being good enough", its about looking for the next opportunity. Always look at doing what is best for you and your family. Is the promotion something you really wanted? Is another job a better solution?

I went through many jobs and never got promoted because i'm not one to play politics. In the end i started my own business and couldn't be happier. Gave myself the best promotion in the world.

I'm pretty sure i wasn't applying myself or earning the promition in my bosses eyes because there was always something about me that was "me" and not about the way they say i should be so in the end doing it on my own was the only way to get to where i wanted to be.

Is that the best for you? I don't know. I just wouldn't look at this as a failure, i would just look for the next opportunity and keep your options wide open!