What doesn’t kill you strengthens you, but it’s often hard to ignore the sting of rejection. That “we regret to inform you” letter can lead to feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty. From my own experience, I know that getting rejected can keep you down for days and even weeks.
No one enjoys getting turned down, but there are ways to overcome those negative feelings. Changing your perspective on rejection can lead to both professional and personal growth. Use these five tips to shift your view on job rejection to make the most out of a disheartening situation.
1. Acknowledge your feelings, but don’t be too hard on yourself.
Rejection is hurtful, so don’t suppress your feelings about not landing the job. It’s a normal part of the job search process and is most likely not personal. Take some time to process your emotions and allow yourself to be disappointed. It may help to tell a friend or family member how you’re feeling to release some emotional pressure.
2. Ask for feedback.
After you receive a rejection, reach out to the hiring manager to request feedback. It’s helpful to know the areas you need to improve to strengthen your candidacy for next time. When sending an email asking for feedback, be polite and maintain your professionalism. You can express your disappointment but make it brief. Focus on thanking the hiring manager for their time and asking for feedback. Here are more helpful guidelines for replying to a job rejection.
3. Identify your weaknesses and work to improve them.
Now that you have feedback, it’s time to reflect on what you can improve on. If you did not receive feedback, try to self-evaluate your interview. Were you prepared for the questions asked? Did you present yourself in a professional manner? You may need to refine your resume, brush up on your interview skills, or gain experience to land the job. Regardless of the reason, working on your weaknesses can help score your next job offer.
4. Recognize the benefits of rejection.
You may not realize it at first, but rejection has benefits. It can motivate you to do better to get your next job. It can put your needs into perspective and prompt you to revisit your career objectives. Each rejection you endure makes you stronger and more adaptable!
5. Don’t stop your job search!
As discouraging as rejection can be, it shouldn’t hold you back from seeking other opportunities. Just because you weren’t the right fit at one company doesn’t mean another company won’t see you as a valuable asset. Who knows, this may be your last rejection before you receive your best job offer yet!
Dealing with rejection all depends on how you see it. You can let it immobilize you or you can see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. What will you choose?