Constructive criticism, can we live with it or should we live without it? A difficult part of being a recruiter is delivering the news when the hiring manager says, “we pass”. This bump in your interview process can be hurtful and sometimes bring out defensive behavior. Honestly, some take it too hard. Making a mountain out of a molehill can be a detriment to your career. When a company declines to interview someone, it is often because they are seeking a fit according to style. Your resume and work experience might be right on target, but it usually comes down to what the corporation is looking for. Businesses do not always hire on the accountability of the resume. Think along these lines: If you receive constructive criticism in your current job are you going to throw yourself into a fit of temper? No, because you want to keep your job. Feedback can be a bitch, but it does not have to be. In your current occupation and job search, take what you might think is criticism and turn it into a positive. The next time you are handed the “I’ll pass” card think of it as an opportunity gained not lost. A better fit is likely right around the corner. Apply the feedback you get from your recruiter or boss to your next potential opportunity. Use your existing knowledge and combine it with the opinion handed to you by a current client, hiring manager or hiring counselor, and use it to your advantage.