03 Aug Dealing with Job Search Rejection
At some stage it’s likely that a job rejection letter has left you down in the dumps. Being turned down for a job can affect your confidence. My clients often dwell on receiving a rejection letter from a prospective employer, but thinking too much can hold you back from any future chance at success.
However you can train yourself to become more resilient with a constructive approach and focusing on the opportunities created when things don’t go as planned. Resilient people keep a positive outlook. You must understand that success and rejection go hand in hand, and that you simply cannot advance if you always play it safe. Ultimately be successful you have to deal with rejection.
Here are four ways to kick your job search back into gear…
1. It’s inherently in your brains programming.
Our brains are hardwired to pay more attention to negative events than positive ones. This “negativity bias” is exactly why a “no” feels so bad. You can counteract this natural inclination by reality testing — thinking about the other circumstances that could have led to the rejection. For example, while you may think you were turned down because your resume wasn’t quite impressive enough, in reality the company could have made an internal hire or discontinued the job listing altogether. Change the story you tell yourself about rejection. Start to see it as a fresh opportunity to do even better next time. Think of it like the New Year — each year we leave behind old regrets and resolve to improve ourselves the next year.
2. Remember that it’s part of a process.
You’re not going to land every job you apply for. No one does. Coming to grips with this fact and learning to accept rejection as part of the process will help build your mental and emotional armor.
3. Don’t Over-analyse
You can drive yourself crazy replaying the scene over and over again in your head, ruminating about the reasons you received a rejection. But the truth is, stewing in your own disappointment only serves to keep you stuck in the past and renders you useless in the present at the exact time you need to rally, pick yourself up, and charge. Taking action is the best strategy for leaving rejection behind. Resilient people often enlist others in their success, asking for feedback and help when they need it.
4. Build stronger self esteem.
If you find yourself constantly downplaying your accomplishments and feeling like a failure, log all of your accomplishments and contributions. By recognizing your strengths and ability to succeed in the face of challenge, you can instantly shift into a positive frame of mind.
Remember, while a job rejection might seem like the end of the world, it’s really an opportunity to learn more about yourself and the job search process and improve for the future