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Much like getting turned down for prom, getting rejected from a job hurts. It makes you feel inadequate, undeserving, and oftentimes ashamed. And while Jenny saying no to your awesome, time consuming (and very public) song promposal will haunt you for the rest of your life, getting rejected from a job means much more in terms of financial security and the career path you hope to be on. Simply put, rejection stinks. But it isn’t all bad. Looking at it from a different perspective might help you heal from it, learn from it, and grow.
Sometimes rejection is a high possibility. It’s a sought-after position with many viable candidates, and you just happen to be one of 82 other people who were also turned down. Other times, rejection is a gut punch. You feel you’re qualified, confident, and can really bring something to the table, and yet, you don’t even get an interview. Or worse, you DO get an interview and are turned down after THAT. You may wonder what you did wrong and the answer could honestly be nothing, but having to go back and reassess the steps of your application can teach you something and show you little things you might have missed.
To start, maybe your resume didn’t use the correct keywords or didn’t adequately present your history and how that suits this specific job. As tedious as reworking a resume can be, it’s helpful and important to give it a glance. Was there a job skill they were looking for that you have but didn’t include? Could you change your wording to give a better representation of how your history doing x and y can translate into you excelling at z? Minor tweaks can make a major difference and help you find new ways to show your worth and boost your confidence.
Was your interview a smash and you have no idea what you did wrong? Or maybe it was a weak interview and you know EXACTLY why you didn’t get the job. Think about the questions they asked and how you responded. If this is a job in the field you absolutely want to work in, try to come up with better answers that sell you as the best fit for the position. Think of your rejection as a rehearsal interview. Practice makes perfect, after all. Every interview is an opportunity to hone in on who you are and why you are the best fit for the job.
Reflection is always something that can help us heal when we are rejected. Every resume, every cover letter, every interview is a learning experience. It’s teaching you and preparing you for when you find the job that is truly the right fit. Never question your worth, you’re amazing and there’s only one of you. You just might have to figure out how to better present that. Rejection helps us grow as people and as potential employees. If only Jenny could see you now. You had way more fun with your friends anyway.
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