We’ve all faced or will face rejection at least once in our life. It can be experienced under many circumstances; whether it’s from a school application, a breakup, decline of your credit card or form the feeling you get when you don’t get the job you wanted. Rejection is inevitable and is necessary to make us learn from our mistakes and build our character. The first thing you need to remind yourself when you are faced with employment rejection ( getting that dreaded call telling you that you haven’t been chosen for the position you wanted ), is that it isn’t your fault, maybe it just wasn’t meant to be, and sometimes that isn’t a bad thing! According to LA Times, the average job seeker is rejected 24 times before they get their first ‘yes’.
Being turned down for a role you really wanted is never fun, and it sure can take a toll on your confidence. We at Fuze HR have teamed up and gathered tips on how to get back on your feet after experiencing employment rejection.
Give thought to what might have went wrong
It’s okay to take a bit of time to mourn over not getting the job you wanted, but it isn’t recommended! This is advice a lot of people have a hard time taking because it’s human nature to express emotion after dealing with rejection. If you do have to mourn, please remember that you didn’t get the job solely based on your ability to complete that job; it has nothing to do with your worth as a person or your general abilities and qualifications.
Think about what might have went wrong. Think about the conversation, were your answers clear or did you circle around them without really getting to the point? Did you take the time to study the company and the position you were being interviewed to work for or did you just quickly search everything up on your way there?
During an interview, it’s important to answer directly to the question. When responding, first affirm your answer then strengthen it with examples from your experience or your thoughts. The interviewer does not want to play guessing game with you. It’s also important to study the company before your interview appointment.
Don’t be afraid to ask for criticism
Often times, once you’re told that you didn’t get the job, you aren’t left with much details as to what is missing from you in order to be the ideal candidate the company is looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your interviewer, find out what could have made you more competitive and what could have made you stand out. In the job market industry, criticism and feedback never lacks, so it’s important to be mentally strong enough to accept feedback and to learn from it to become the best candidate you can be.
No matter what industry you specialize in, everybody can use feedback, there is always room to grow and opportunities to sharpen your skills. It can be hard to do, but if you really want to learn from your mistakes, avoid reacting with defensiveness or anger when receiving feedback. There is great value in constructive criticism!
Pick yourself up and continue your job search (always leave room for plan B)
You might have heard the famous saying: ‘’ Don’t put all your eggs in one basket ‘’, well, it doesn’t get any more relevant to the situation than this! Avoid pinning all of your hopes on one specific job and persuading yourself that this is the only perfect fit for you.
Our careers have become such parts of our daily lives and who we are, that losing a job or not getting the one we wanted can cause serious internal damage to your self-esteem. Having a backup plan in case of job rejection is highly recommended, especially if you have availabilities that allow you to invest your time in doing more job searching online and attending interviews.
Make sure to apply to jobs that are in your field as much as possible. Do not only apply to jobs with the same title. Maybe your skill sets and experience are good for positions as a coordinator as well as for a specialist. Many companies might have similar job descriptions while giving slightly different job titles. So, make sure to apply for those too. Attend as much interview as much as possible. While you will learn how to sharpen your interview skills but also you will get to learn what is on the market.
Forget about the past
Learn how to not let your past mistakes overtake you. Once you’ve gotten the answer that you aren’t the right fit for the company you applied for, it’s time to forget about the past! You might want to dwell and relieve the scenario over and over, but that won’t make you feel any better. Keep your head up and try to focus on the times you succeeded, and your expectations were met. Remembering those uplifting times help boost your morale and make you feel like you’re meant for something bigger and better.
Opportunities can give us the impression that they only come once in a blue moon. Remember that the job you get rejected from today isn’t the only employment opportunity you’ll get, move on and keep your head up! Keep applying, knock on more doors!
Focus on your strengths
Take the time to identify things you’re passionate about and it will show itself through your interviews. Talking about your strengths is an excellent way to stay motivated and focused on your goal. You might not have the abilities the company of your dreams requires, but you surely do have what it takes to work with a company that looks for individuals that have the strengths you possess.
A good way of focusing on your strengths is doing something that makes you feel powerful and in control. Not only does this exercise boost your self-esteem, but it lets you differentiate your technical competencies from your softer skills. There is always room for improvement, turn those setbacks into power!
