Job rejections are increasing rapidly due to the growing competition between candidates as the number of applications submitted for the same job rises. Inevitably, for every position you apply for, job rejections are increasing rapidly due to increased competition among candidates as the number of applications for the same job increases.
It doesn’t matter if it’s the time the company never got back to you, or if they sent out just a generic rejection email, it still hurts all the same.
However, having the resilience and strength to overcome these rejections and move forward plays an intrinsic part in your success. In fact, rejection plays a huge part in the job-hunting process.
If you’re reading this, I’m going to make the assumption you have just been rejected for a job or are trying to prepare yourself for rejection. These steps will help keep you in a better state of mind and keep your job search productive so that you are closer to that all important “You’ve got the job”.
Coping With The Rejection
After a company has rejected you, the first thing to do is sit with it for a minute. I am aware that this might sound like pure torture if you’re someone like me, who hates feeling anything but happy, but by facing these feelings of sadness, anger, or disappointment head-on now, you’re avoiding a potential job search burnout later.
The point of sitting with these feelings isn’t necessarily to overcome them. It’s to appreciate them. I know what you’re thinking. Who enjoys feeling rejected? That’s not what I mean, though. I mean that you should appreciate the feelings because they are evidence that you put a lot of work into this specific job application and your quest for a new position as a whole. Yes, many of the things you gather and submit for a job application are required to move forward in the process, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t still work. You still took time out of your busy life to make sure you provided the best version of everything asked of you, and if you made it into the interview process, you sacrificed even more of your time (possibly even some of your PTO) to be considered. That is what you need to appreciate because when you look at it this way, it’s no wonder you’re feeling disappointed. No one likes to do work for no reason!
Once you’ve taken some time to pat yourself on the back for all of your hard work, take a few minutes to decide your immediate next move. Are you more determined than ever to jump right back into the job hunt? Could you use a week or two off to get your attitude right? Or, do you just need to take the night to unwind and relax before you wake up and start fresh tomorrow?
It’s okay to take some time off of the job hunt (assuming you are in a position to do so). To land your dream job, you have to dazzle interviewers and hiring managers by presenting them with your best self. And if you’re in a perpetual state of pessimism, then you’re not going to do yourself any favors when it comes time to interview. So, take the time you need to get back into a neutral (if not optimistic) mindset so that you can start moving forward.
Staying Motivated & Moving Forward
Now that you’ve come to terms with your most recent rejection, it’s time to get motivated again. An excellent place to start is with this quote by Richard Branson:
“Opportunities are like busses – there’s always another one coming!”
While you may have a dream job or company that you’ve had your heart set on for a while, chances are very high that there is more than one dream job and amazing company out there for you. It’s hard to remember when you’re at a standstill in your job search, but it’s a good reality check to give yourself to help you stay motivated. Here are some other things you can do to help you stay motivated:
Keep Going
As we said earlier, it’s a fact that you’re not going to land every job you apply for. No one does! Coming to grips with this fact and learning to accept rejection as part of the process will help build your resilience and your positivity.
Dealing with rejection take lots of forms. It can be tough when you get turned down for that job you really wanted. However, by following these steps you are not only going to cope with the highs and lows of the job hunting process but you will also be stacking the odds in your favour.
Keeping a positive mindset can feel challenging at times but the benefits for your mental health are plentiful. With every rejection you are going to be one step closer to being accepted to keep going and focus on what you can control.