How To Deal With Rejection In The Job Market
Boy, this is a biggie. And, it’s happening all around us. I’m talking about how to deal with rejection in the job market. This one is hitting particularly close to home right now. We have a recent college graduate searching for his first real job. So, you thought it would be easy right?
Rejection In The Job Market
Well, he’s finding out it’s brutal out there. He was in contact with a potential opportunity in the field he trained for in school. And, it was a great company he was excited to get a chance to work for. He started talking with them in October of last year. Everything was moving along well. He was brought in for multiple interviews both in person and by phone. And, they told him they were looking to fill the position in mid to late February for a March start.
So, we knew the time was getting close, and we were excited since the prospects looked promising. However, on Valentine’s afternoon he got the email he didn’t want to get. They thanked him for his interest, enjoyed getting to know him, but they were moving forward with another candidate. They indicated they’d like to keep his resume and information on file for future positions of course. There it was…rejection in the job market.
Dealing With Disappointment Amid Rejection In The Job Market
Well, he was devastated. The news hit like a ton of bricks. And, his hopes were dashed. Not only was he denied this opportunity, but he felt defeated and in his words like ‘a loser.’ I assured him that was not the case, and this happens to everyone who ever put themselves in the running for a job. Also, he felt the weight of now having to start a brand new search.
He had a pity party over the weekend and pouted a bit with a woe as me. And, we allowed him to have the weekend to feel sorry for himself. Although, we did make him go out with us to dinner a couple of times. He was not pleasant company, I must admit. But, it’s a new week, and it’s time to move on.
Moving On After Rejection In The Job Market
So, we directed him to send professional follow up emails of thanks to the job he didn’t get, assuring them he was appreciative of their consideration and would happily welcome being considered for a position in the future.
But how do you get past the rejection? It’s easy to say, ‘it’s business. Don’t take it personally.’ But, it feels personal. We try and figure out what they didn’t like about us. When in reality, it could be so many factors possibly out of our control. I read a great article from a job recruiter about dealing with rejection.
Tips From A Recruiter About Dealing With Rejection In The Job Market
In the article, the author points out that you can let it get you down for a short period, but then you have to move on without getting bogged down. And, rejection actually can help you grow. It’s a chance to look at what you might improve on. Some candidates when they explore their interview process might for example, realize they didn’t ask as many questions as another candidate. Something to work on. Be more engaged.
Then, you need to realize rejection is a normal part of any search. And, it leads to hope. When one door closes, another opens. But, don’t be so caught up in the closed door that you miss the one that’s opening on something else. Rejection can help you be more aware of the wins and how to recognize them and celebrate them and grow. Keep things in perspective and know that you’re not less than just because one or even a few things didn’t work out. It will. Just keep on keeping on.
