Let’s be honest, job-hunting sucks. It’s an arduous task, even at the best of times, when a lot of us spend hour upon hour pounding through job boards. Only to fill out countless applications leaving us feeling desperate rather than determined. It gets even worse when you repeatedly face rejection without even hearing back from a single employer.
Job rejection is never fun, and it can leave you depressed as you attempt to work your way through it. Yet, instead of getting down on yourself when this happens, here are some helpful tips to help you keep moving despite the rejection.
Always Clap Yourself
It can be heartbreaking to put all that hard work into an application and then get another rejection. It can be demoralizing and make you feel like giving up. However, just because your application wasn’t accepted by one company doesn’t mean you are crap.
For instance, pat yourself on the back once you are done with a job application. It is much more beneficial to you and your confidence than to beat up your lack of decision-making skills. Applying for jobs is always a make-or-break for your self-esteem. So, giving yourself a round of applause will positively refocus your energy.
Analyze and Polish Your Qualification
You’ve been rejected from every job you applied for and didn’t even have interview offers to speak of. Maybe it was because you didn’t include a cover letter with your applications. Perhaps your resume was a little bland that led to your rejection. Maybe your follow-up after the interview was weak.
Whatever the reason(s) may be, you should know that this is not a death kiss for your career aspirations. Rather a simple bump across your way. You still have opportunities to get through this unfortunate situation and perhaps thrive and triumph over it. However, there are many reasons employers reject candidates.
Some are legitimate, while others are based on employer bias. When the hiring manager presents a real or imagined issue with your candidacy, there is no need to be defensive. Consider it as an opportunity for improvement as you prepare for future job applications.
Remember, companies are looking for those who will fit their perception of success. Research everything about the company to present yourself in a way that triggers their desire to offer you an interview.
Reflect the Reject
No matter how much you’ve prepared for a specific interview, there’s never a genuine guarantee that you’ll get it. You can’t change the fact you may face rejection. All you have to do is reflect on the rejection and ask yourself, “what was I lacking?” Then, think about what could improve and increase your odds.
Remember, moving to the next stage in your career focuses on your growth and development. Hone your job-hunting skills, improve your resume and cover letters while still making applications. Be sure to seek out professional assistance where you can to develop a strategy that guides you to achieve goals.
Keep it Moving
You’ve taken a step back and examined your situation. It was tough, but now you’re ready to go again. The problem with most people is that their enthusiasm quickly fades after a rejection.
The higher your confidence, the better you will perform in your next job interviews. You can maintain your momentum by always accepting rejections as part of a process and keeping yourself moving.
While waiting for feedback from the hiring manager, continue job searching and networking. While it may take too long to hear back, continue networking.
Lower Your Expectations and Be Patient
Nobody wants to get rejected from a job. It’s extremely humbling, and it hurts! The trick is not to let your ego be in charge of your desires. If you can lower your expectations and remain patient, often, you will get what you want. When you take a step back and look at things clearly, the right choice will be clear to do next.
You know the feeling of having a job interview looming over your head, and you’ve been waiting anxiously for hours to find out how it goes. We have all been in that position, anticipating the news that could change our life. The wait between a job interview and hearing back about your fate can be nerve-wracking and seem never-ending.
You may go through different stages, from excited optimism to disappointments. All these emotions are valid but don’t let them control your senses. Keeping control of your patience will allow you to continue seeking greener pastures.
Ask For Detailed Feedback
After you’ve taken time to process the rejection, the next thing you should do is request detailed feedback. This can be tricky since you don’t want to appear desperate. However, even if a company does not offer a formal review process, they will likely provide you with some feedback.
Try emailing your interviewer(s) and politely ask them for additional insight on why you weren’t selected. In most cases, they will provide suggested improvements that you can apply to other job applications and professional development in the future. Plus, they might appreciate your candid attitude and willingness to learn from mistakes. The key thing is to use rejection as an opportunity for self-development.
Sometimes life gives you lemons and then proceeds to smack you in the face with them. One moment you might be on top of the world, feeling triumphant and on your way up the corporate ladder. Next, you might be down in the dumps wondering what’s going on. It can be a chaotic ride, but there are ways to overcome the challenges and focus on positive outcomes.
Try not to take rejection personally. There will always be rejections in life while pursuing your passion and finding your dream job. Rejection is part of life, but how you react to it defines how you deal with it. Just remember to thank them for the opportunity and keep moving forward.