How can you turn job seeking rejection into success

John got knocked back for a tech leadership role three months ago. Last week the hiring manager called with a new position. Can rejection be turned into job seeking success?

John interviewed nervously but solidly, and closely lost out to another candidate. Instead of moving on, he politely asked for feedback. The hiring manager gave it, mentioned the process had been tight but mentioned that John was a good candidate.

John thanked him and asked whether he would mind if he kept in touch every two weeks or so. The hiring manager was happy with that.

So John kept his promise. Nothing pushy, just staying visible, and they ended up developing a solid rapport.

Last week he rang John out of the blue. Told him a similar vacancy had just been created and he was the first person he thought of. No ad went up. No recruiter got the brief. He offered him the role over the phone.

This is the second time I've watched this exact sequence play out inside The Hustle Game. Serena did almost the same thing last month with a travel company. Missed out to an internal candidate, politely asked for feedback, kept in touch, and then got a call about a role that didn't exist when she'd interviewed for the first one. She was the only person considered for it.

Both of them were considered a second time because they were easy to deal with the first time round and followed up after being rejected. The hiring managers didn't have to go looking. They already had someone.

How many people give up right after a rejection, at the exact point staying in touch would have mattered most. My guess is most people, but keen to hear if anyone's seen it play the other way.