Job Rejection: Importance of remaining positive

Job rejection is part of the process. The important thing is to learn from any rejections and move to the next step in your search. One door closes another door will open. Maybe a better door!!!

Don’t take rejection personally (its not all about you): People are rejected for a wide variety of reasons and there are a lot of factors in play. You may have done the perfect interview and got on well with the interviewees but may have lost out on the role to an internal candidate or someone who had slightly more relevant experience that interested the interviewees. Sadly rejection is just part of the process you are doing well to get to interview stage.

Feedback-Reflect on the experience (But don’t over analyze): It is important to obtain feedback where you can but beware you are probably not going to get the full picture of why you missed out on a role. The questions to ask yourself are; Did you prepare the best you could? Did you answer the questions as well as you could? Is there anything else you could have done?….Take on feedback but don’t spend too much time over analyzing. Improve on the areas where you can.

Sometimes you just aren’t the right fit: I used to recruit a lot for PR agencies and had two identical roles on. I had a candidate who I thought was good for both the roles and obtained an interview for her with both. One of the agencies was close to hiring her, thought she was good but just not right for them the other agency loved her. The company that rejected her made the right decision as did the one who hired her. Had the first agency hired her (and they were close to it) she would have missed out on the role with the agency that loved her and worked with one that had some concerns about her.

Companies often reject candidates they love: This is another reason not to take rejection personally. I have lost count with the times a client is split between 2 candidates. They would hire both but only have 1 spot.

Focus on your strengths: Job rejection can be confident sapping. Write down a list of your strengths and remind yourself of them. It is important to keep your confidence up.

Why being positive is important: If you are negative it means you are losing and hope and with it you will open less doors. If you are positive you are more optimistic and will look to open more doors. A positive attitude will give the best chance to find the work you seek quicker. It can be hard but always try and remain positive.

Keep setting little goals: learning and developing: Set yourself little goals and do positive things that you can be proud of. This may be a fitness activity, cook something great, voluntary work, a training course or some job seeking tasks that are positive.

Find inspiration through movies and music to lift your spirits: Jerry Maguire, Pursuit of Happiness and Lion are three of my favourite movies that show the value of persistence. I won’t list my music as its too cheesy but get your spirits up using the music you like.

Some Inspiring Stories of Rejection