I just had the second interview for a job which would have taken my career up a level - after putting my career on hold for a few years and doing a job that I've outgrown, I was really excited about being given the chance to progress.
After doing first interview which went really well, and then passing some tests and scoring highly I think I'd half convinced myself it was mine even though I knew that it could go either way. It's hard not to start thinking of what could happen if you get it - but then SO disapppointing when you don't.
To make it worse the interviewer said he'd phone by 5 with his decision, he then phoned at 3 so I thought for a moment I'd got it... until he said 'unfortunately you haven't been successful'.
I got down to the final 2, he said I was a strong candidate but someone else was a slightly better fit. So probably not an awful lot I could have done about it.
How to deal with the rejection and disappointment?? There are not many jobs about in my field, and lots of candidates, so its tough out there.