As discouraging as it may sound, rejection is a part of the job seeking process. Landing a job on your first attempt is incredibly rare, but rejection can be difficult to handle. In fact, rejection is what most people fear when seeking employment. Below are some tips to help you get through a rejection with grace and dignity.
Accept the Rejection and Put it Behind You
If you are turned down for a job opportunity, accept the rejection and put it behind you. It’s completely normal to feel angry and frustrated, but it’s better to channel all of that energy into a new opportunity you are working towards. If you’re actively seeking employment, you’re likely pursuing a number of different opportunities. Focus on one of those opportunities rather than allowing yourself to dwell on one rejection.
Don’t Take the Rejection Personally
Many job seekers take rejection very personally, and their self-confidence suffers as a result. There are a variety of factors that contributed to your rejection. It’s highly unlikely that all of them were your fault. Try to look at the bigger picture and put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. Hiring new employees is a tough job and rejection is just a part of the process.
Ask for Feedback from the Hiring Manager
After you have accepted the rejection, reach out to the hiring manager and ask for some feedback. Ask them what you could have done better. Just keep in mind that not every interviewer will be interested in giving you feedback. However, you will never know if you don’t ask. Use this opportunity to gain valuable information on how you can improve yourself during your next interview.
Network with the Interviewer
In some cases, you may be able to network with your interviewer to find another opportunity. They may be able to recommend you to another potential employer who is looking to hire for a similar position. Use LinkedIn to connect with the interviewer or anyone else you met during the interviewing process. This may open the door for new opportunities.
Thank the Interviewer for the Opportunity
After a rejection, you may not be too interested in thanking the interviewer for their time. However, this provides you with yet another opportunity to make one last impression. In many cases, rejection letters leave the door open for future opportunities. Not thanking the interviewer or sending an anger-driven response may squander any future opportunities. Instead, thank the hiring manager for their time with grace. By handling the rejection in a calm and mature way, you may impress the company.
Continue to Stay Motivated
It can be a challenge to stay motivated and focused after a rejection, but pushing forward is necessary. Try to stay focused on your goals and allow those goals to be your motivation. There are plenty of opportunities out there – you just have to find them. In order to find them, you need to be actively looking.
Rejection is just a part of the job hunting process. Rather than becoming defensive and discouraged, take each rejection as an opportunity to grow and learn. If possible, gather feedback from anyone involved in the interviewing process. This can help you improve your chances of nailing your next interview and landing your dream job.
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