How to Deal with Rejection – During Your Job Search

By: Kayla McDonald

So you moved through the application process and we’re told they have filled the position. Unfortunately, rejection is part of the job search process. And despite knowing there’s a possibility of not getting hired,  we still play the blame game and beat ourselves up about not getting the job!

It’s never a fun experience but at some stage of the job search process, chances are you’ll be turned down for a role. However the key is to turn a negative into a positive – and understand how to deal with job rejection. Just know that I am not minimizing how brutal job searches can be, especially after all the time that’s invested submitting résumés, completing tedious applications and enduring challenging job interviews. When you think you did great in an interview and haven’t heard back after several weeks, it’s devastating. Receiving a letter of regret can make it hard to get through the day.

That’s why I’m sharing 3 practical tips to consider in hopes that you’ll never give up on finding your dream job!

Keep in mind that Job rejection is normal so avoid taking it too personally. Take comfort in knowing that everyone is going through the same thing. No one is getting hired 100% of the time. We all have experienced similar feelings of fear, stress and bouts of depression due to some form  of rejection. Everyone at one point in their career gets rejected for a coveted role, loses out to an office rival for a lucrative promotion or gets ghosted after a great series of interviews.

While it can be tempting to put your job search on hold while you wait to hear back from an employer, it’s also important to continue searching for work. Look for similar roles, apply at different companies and be willing to follow-up! Stay in touch with your network of professionals and maintain contact with your recruiters. This approach builds your confidence, and keeps your options open for other job opportunities.

Handling rejection is never easy but it does offer valuable opportunities to discover more about yourself and enhance your job search techniques. Good things are always worth waiting for, and with persistence and a positive outlook, your dream job could be just around the corner.

If you continue to get overlooked for jobs, it may be time to do some self-reflection. Are you applying for jobs without having experience or choosing roles that are outside of your skill sets? What does your social media page say about you? How good are your responses in the job interview?

Take the time to reflect on your approach to the hiring process to see if there is anything you could improve upon in the future. Review your resume, cover letter, social media presence, conversation during the interview and your follow-up process. When you’ve been rejected, it’s easy to start feeling bitter, resentful and angry. If a hiring manager senses that you’re unhappy or blaming others for everything that’s happened in the past, they won’t be interested in hiring you or giving you a promotion. The job market is very competitive and based on your responses, their team may be forced to believe that there are other candidates willing to assume more responsibility for their actions.

The job search process is tough and receiving a rejection feels even worse. What’s most important though is how you react after receiving that rejection because it can affect the outcome of future job opportunities.

If you don’t take the time to reevaluate the situation, by reviewing your resume, cover letter, social media presence, conversation during the interview and your follow-up process, you could make the same mistakes. In other words, if you don’t make the necessary changes, it can lead to more job rejections.

So, be kind to yourself knowing that job rejection is normal. Brush yourself off and start making some improvements. Identify your talents and use them to your advantage. Keep applying for work and follow-up with recruiters. Doing so will separate you from other candidates and get you hired!