How to Cope with Rejection While Job Searching
How you handle rejection is important in your journey of job seeking. We all know that it happens to everyone, but it doesn’t make it any less painful. So, how can you handle rejection in a way that is healthy?
Let’s face it. Sometimes, you don’t get the job. You do everything right. You go through the first and second rounds of interviews, only to receive an email that states that the employer has decided to go with another candidate.
This can be a very real reality for an active job seeker. The mental aspect of rejection alone can make a person doubt themselves and their abilities.
However, how you handle rejection is important in your journey of job seeking. We all know that it happens to everyone, but it doesn’t make it any less painful. So, how can you handle rejection in a way that is healthy?
Start by affirming yourself in ways that benefit your self-image. Say things like “That door being closed means that another door of opportunity is opening” or “The job of my dreams is waiting for me.” This mental training that you do on a consistent basis will allow you to see the beauty of rejection, and recognize that every opportunity isn’t meant for you, and there is nothing wrong with that. You have to start by believing that what is yours will match up with you directly, and there will be no rejection of it.
Remember to thank the employer for their time, and mention what you learned throughout the interview process. This leaves a good impression on an employer so that if another position opens that they feel you could be a good fit for, they will call you back. Also, business is about relationships, so just because they said no this time, doesn’t mean that another partnership is waiting for you in the future.
Treat yourself to something for going through with the interview. A lot of times, active job seekers are in the trenches of looking for that perfect position, going through interviews, and wearing suit after suit. This means that you are not stopping to look around and acknowledge that you are doing “it.” Rejection or acceptance, you are doing it. If you receive a rejection, treat yourself to something to thank yourself for going through the process to completion. This could be lunch, ice cream, or a movie. The bottom line is you are acknowledging the journey, and appreciating all that you learned along the way.
Rejection is never easy, but being proactive and truly seeking out ways to reshape your mindset behind receiving a “no” will make all the difference in your job-seeking journey.
