How to deal with job rejection

Every job application is a hope for a brighter future. Whether the position was the job of your dreams or not, no one likes rejection. The reasons for not getting a job vary, understanding those reasons and focusing on the original goal help not to take the rejection personal.

In fact, I say confidently, job interviews have been important for my professional growth, improvements, and learning, not only to prepare better for the next job application, but also to understand what I really want and how to know more about that organisation or industry. Both elements have been crucial to find a job because being called for a job interview means the resume passed the first filter. Even if you are very qualified, sometimes that is the reason to be rejected more often.

Tip.

Learning how to deal with rejection and working in increasing your confidence is a better strategy, than accepting the negative self-talk that says, “you are not good enough”. The question after job rejection should be: “What can I do to build momentum personally and professionally and learn to deal with rejection better than I am doing now?

My 2 secret strategies to deal with job search rejection has been:

·????????Firstly, create that momentum or job search system that allows me to have more than one interview waiting for me. If one opportunity goes down, I have two others waiting. Searching for a job is a full-time job and must be taken seriously. Set the goal of applying for a job “X” time a week. For example, 3 to 5 job applications per week. (or daily?)

Tip.

Pursue more than one opportunity, not only one at the time and wait to see what happens until you apply for the next job. ??

I had learnt this early when I started as an entrepreneur/freelancer offering business administration and teambuilding training for highly effective teams and leadership PD and executive programs. The business grew. It became a Registered Training Organisation with administrative and professional staff. When you succeed in that way, the owner’s accountability and management impact every area, particularly employees who depend on the ability of the organization to keep clients and increase sales year by year. At that time, I couldn’t afford to wait for one client’s answer to start selling the following program. My point is that the comparison applies to any business environment, whether you are an owner or a job seeker. The last is selling services, knowledge, capabilities, most valuable professional and soft skills, and personal values. ?

Tip.

Trust the process. The routine of going to job interviews, playing your best cards, and going home takes on its rhythm. Some job interviews will be better than others until you get the job. And sometimes, you must keep applying because it was not a good fit. Over time you begin to trust the process and know that not every job is for you. Knowing it is okay. Keep applying, networking, and focusing on your long-term career plan.

·????????Secondly, pay attention to your intuition and body. Listen to your body and the way it reacts to different people and office environments. One of the subjects I loved while studying for my MBA was critical thinking. Journaling has been a big part of my personal development since I was a teenager, however, I started applying that exact science only from that moment. The professor encouraged us to deeply reflect on the decision-making process, following a highly effective method for our everyday leadership decisions and actions. I can write and speak hours about the effectiveness of critical thinking and critical reflection on business and leadership. In summary, this long-life learning practice made me remember how talented and powerful we are.

Tip. Share the frustration, self-disappointment and anger that accompanies any loss such as a job opportunity. Talk to someone you trust, a good supporter, or you can start to use the power of journaling, letting go of the negative self-talk and moving on. Never project negativity to the hiring team.

Self-reflection and self-awareness will help you when requesting feedback after a job interview, and how to use it for improvements. Sometimes you realize the hiring team is not rejecting you. Perhaps, another candidate was a better fit.

Self-reflection and self-awareness will help you when requesting feedback after a job interview, and how to use it for improvements. Sometimes you realize the hiring team is not rejecting you. Perhaps, another candidate was a better fit.?

Tip.

After receiving feedback, take time to analyze if there is something for improvement.

Sometimes could be a skill that you already have but didn’t highlight during the process. Sometimes you need to have some certificates or skills before reaching that position. It means you are applying for jobs that you are not ready YET. The word “yet” is highlighted because employability skills are learned or improved. When I came to Australia, the English bit was a concern because I have a Spanish background. Thanks to the universal energy, a foreign language is not a talent. It is a skill. I still regularly practice vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar rules without feeling bad for my mistakes but taking proper actions to avoid them.

The key takeaways:

·????????Job search rejection is part of the process and happens all the time. What counts is your mindset and what you do next.

·????????Follow your system for managing frustration and self-negative talk, such as journaling.

·????????Create and maintain the momentum, don’t stop your job search, and don’t take job rejection personal.

·????????Use your professional strengths and personal values as an asset.

·????????Learn from feedback and use every job interview as a learning opportunity.?