How to deal with job rejection
Job hunting can feel like a full-time job, from perusing job boards and sending out resumes to writing countless cover letters and going for interviews. But hearing “no” at the end of it all can be crushing. So what can you do to turn this negative event into a positive outcome?
Adopt a positive mindset
First take the time to accept the rejection and rebuild your confidence to try again. But be careful to avoid using this as an excuse to be stuck in a rut. Stewing in negative emotions risks prolonging this recovery period, which may cause you to lose momentum and motivation.
It’s important to keep things in perspective after receiving a rejection. Although it’s a hard fact to swallow, the reality is that you’re not going to get an offer for every job you apply for – no one does! But this isn’t a bad thing.
Use the learning to help you prepare for your next interview. Also use this chance to pinpoint your strengths and apply for positions that you’re better suited for. The upside is that you’re now open to other, possibly better, opportunities.
Assess and re-evaluate
Reflection is key: Think about what went well during your interview, what didn’t and why. Were you truly qualified for the role? Did your passion for the job come across? Also reflect the questions posed by the interviewer and how you answered them. How can your responses be improved?
Remember that the main objective of an interview is for the interviewer to discover the person behind the resume. Did you speak up with confidence and ask insightful questions? Were you confident and able to communicate what you could bring to the role?
Even beyond the interview itself, asking hiring managers and recruitment consultants for feedback is a good learning experience. Although these conversations may initially be uncomfortable, getting honest, specific feedback about why you weren’t offered the job will go a long way to preparing you for future application processes.
Getting back on track
When you’re ready to restart the job-hunting process, maximise your job search activity such that when one rejection occurs, you have other opportunities waiting in line. This also softens the blow of disappointment and frustration.
Pursuing multiple possibilities simultaneously will help you figure out the kind of role that you really want and are best suited for. Besides being time-efficient, it’s good sense to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket and being overly fixated on one option.
It’s also time to put into practice what you’ve learnt from previous rejection experiences, such as applying for roles you’re best qualified for and impressing the interviewer with your confidence.
Finally, remember that rejection is temporary. Going through the ups and downs of the job search process will help you become more resilient, adaptable and experienced as well as position you as a stronger and more self-aware candidate in the future.
Related content
View AllOver the last five years, there has been significant disruptions across technological, geopolitical, and economic fronts, resulting in many changes within hiring. One notable shift is the rise of the contingent workforce, particularly in the APAC region. A study on contingent workforces by Data Inte
Read MoreRecently, the rapid growth and adoption of AI has impacted how organisations operate daily, but also how they think about the future of their business. Organisations have begun to consider their level of AI readiness and ways to prepare their business for the future with an AI-ready workforce. This
Read More"Tell me about yourself." It’s often the first question in a job interview, and it can also be one of the trickiest. It sounds straightforward but deciding what to include and how to keep it clear can be surprisingly hard. In this guide, we’ll show you how to answer “Tell me about yourself” in a con
Read MoreRelated content
View AllOne of the most common interview questions interviewees face is: "Why are you leaving your current job?" And the most daunting part is that your answer can shape a interviewer’s first impression, positively or negatively. Whether you're job hunting after a redundancy, looking for better opportunitie
Read MoreStart-ups are taking over the hiring landscape, never more so as technology becomes more and more accessible. If your goal is to work for a new tech company, there are several steps you can take to make your resume more start-up friendly. Be targeted Even though start-ups often require you to wear m
Read MoreSmall talent pools, limited hiring budgets and restricted training resources often motivate employers to present counter-offers to valuable employees who are about to resign. These could be in the form of pay raises, bonuses or promotions. Enhanced financial remuneration is frequently accompanied by
Read More