Coping with Rejection in the Job Market: A Personal Reflection

The job market is very challenging?these?days. Challenges make one strive for improvement, if not perfection. But how long can one go? One cannot go on indefinitely for there is a cost associated with everything. I personally know so many people going through this tough phase and very few would understand what they have to go through. After I submitted my MS thesis, I interviewed with so many companies?only to be rejected. I was laughed at when I said, "Strong or weak, it takes a toll when rejected multiple times." So, it is my earnest request to them and to those around, to be strong.?There is light at the end of the tunnel, however long that might be.

Self-doubt is okay as long as that does not eat you up. Some might ask whether the problem is not with you. It is highly possible that they are trying to help, to retrospect. Keeping an open mind helps,?for we are human beings and "to err is human" [Shakespeare]. We can work on improving ourselves, but we have to understand that like other?markets,?this also revolves around supply and demand; and in this current situation, supply overshadows demand by a huge?scale.

There is no dearth of motivational posts about upskilling. The thing is that the people laid-off were not necessarily laid off for lacking skills, and people looking for other opportunities are not doing so because they lack the skills required to carry out the tasks at hand. There?is no doubt that by upskilling, one will be open to more opportunities, but the selection process is not a one-way street. A significant proportion of interviewers look for people similar to them, be it from the perspective of skillset, work experience, or educational background. It is not on you if someone fears diversity, if they want someone who thinks outside the box but are not comfortable expanding their horizon.

Some feel better by belittling others. Just do not pay any heed to them; they are only trying to bring you down. Reporting unprofessional communications to the?platform might not yield?a favorable outcome as the platform you are using needs users to make money. For your mental peace, just block them instead of waiting for the?outcome even if you report them. You do not deserve to be insulted if you could not clear a round or are unaware?of the solution to some problems. Forgive them or forget about them, whatever you do, just do not take their words to your heart, because they do not know you or your worth. Your mental peace is far more important than interacting with them.

There are several factors at play here which are beyond our control,?like the misconceptions and arrogance of the interviewers. HRs might get?you another interviewer but if you get selected you might have to work with them; or, HRs might act defensive as they?work for the same organization. Then there is ghosting and unresponsiveness of the?recruiters. I have been asked how to not stress over them. I know ignoring is difficult when their?responses seem so valuable but stressing over those is definitely not the solution.

One interview/opportunity/response/company is not the end. Today might not be your day, but one day will be. Patience is the key to see it through. I know it is easier said than done, especially when rejections pile up, one after the other. If you think it has been too much, give it a break, take some rest. Revitalizing is a necessity. So,?cater?to your?physical and?mental health. Just remind yourself, 'EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT!' and BE STRONG!