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Rejections can be disappointing and demoralizing. It can happen when trying to get your first job or looking for a new one after losing your job.
Despite repeated efforts and doing the best you can in the preliminary rounds, the call for a final interview sometimes never comes.
It is even worse when, after getting that final interview, you’re told, “We’ll get back to you. We still have a few more candidates to interview.”
It can feel like the final nail on the proverbial coffin.
Regardless of which stage of your career you are in, rejections may take the steam out of you and can push you to the brink by putting a dent in your confidence. However, you must stay resilient to get you through these challenging times.
What does it mean to be resilient?
People with a resilient mindset take on life’s challenges and setbacks in stride, focusing on creating opportunities when things don’t work out as planned. Make no mistake, resilient people also get frustrated and even depressed. Still, they shake off negative thoughts and persevere with a plan in mind.
To be resilient, you need to realize that success and rejection are two sides of a coin; they go together. Nobody can claim to have success without having experienced rejection at some point in their careers.
Here are some ways you can remain resilient by being proactive:
Repeated rejections in interviews and getting no job offers can easily fill your mind with negative thoughts. Rejections happen for many reasons, like you simply may not have the qualities they are looking for, or it just may not be your time. Whatever the case, never beat yourself up, instead take some time and try to find out where the problem lies.
In assessing your interviews, ask yourself, “Was my preparation good?” “Did I have enough confidence?” “Did I answer the questions fluently?” “Did I sound desperate?”
After this self-evaluation, you may find at least one or two areas that you can improve upon to perform better the next time. However, don’t let too many thoughts cloud your mind during this self-reflection process.
Before arriving at an interview, check the job description carefully to see if your skills match the requirements. Now, if you get a question like, “Why do you think you are fit for this position?” you will be able to talk about relevant skills, along with sharing real-life experiences.
Always send Thank You emails to all involved after each step in the interviewing process. Even if you feel down after being rejected, ask for written feedback from the interviewer(s). If you’re working with a recruiter, ask him/her to get specific feedback from the hiring manager(s). Asking for feedback is a constructive approach that will help you work on the areas you need to improve. It will then become a lot easier for you to face subsequent interviews with more confidence.
Keep in mind that a job rejection might feel like the end of the road, but it most certainly is not. By working on yourself, you will likely experience a positive outcome in the future.
Also, remember that dry spells will pass. One breakthrough can change everything, and ultimately, your resilience will pay off.
Lastly, please call ALIGN to request a complimentary Interview Prep by one of our Executive Recruiters.
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