You spent days studying, practising diligently, and conducting numerous practise interviews in front of the mirror. Your expectations were high following the interview because it had gone so well. But a few days later, you receive an email from the business, which you open with tremendous anticipation, only to find out that it is a letter of rejection.
You would be surprised to learn how frequently occurring this circumstance is. One could describe rejection as an undesirable but necessary aspect of the human experience. But what if you could use the rejection to your advantage and land a better, more lucrative job?
It’s impersonal
When someone gets rejected, the very first thing that crosses their thoughts is “I have failed”. An hour or two of sadness about it is acceptable, but allowing this erroneous thought to persist in your head will only lead to protracted despair and wasted opportunities. Therefore, understanding why it is not personal is crucial.
Internal recommendation, where employees within a company nominate individuals for a position even before the post is publicly declared open, is one of the most common practises in businesses. Additionally, employers frequently favour candidates who have been recommended by an existing employee. Similar to this, businesses may decide to make internal promotions and reject the interviewees in favour of them.
It goes beyond just your credentials.
A lot of individuals become so devastated after receiving numerous rejections that they no longer value their education. As they descend into hopelessness, they think, “I probably shouldn’t have picked this line”. However, there are several variables at play that are taken into account when you are hired. Occasionally, the recruiting manager might favour someone with a little bit more experience than you despite your applicable qualifications. But that doesn’t mean you’re any less qualified for the job.
What can you learn from being rejected?
After realising that the rejection wasn’t entirely your fault, let’s move on to the most crucial topic: how to accept the rejection gracefully?
Recognise your weaknesses
After receiving a letter of rejection, the first thing you should do is request constructive criticism or an explanation of the decision. Some HR departments might send you the information you requested, while many businesses might not have an appropriate response. In this situation, your rejection letter can end up being an excuse for your eventual offer letter.
Such comments will highlight your weaknesses and inform you of the qualities a hiring manager is seeking in a candidate for that position. Try to evaluate your own performance, including how you responded to the interview questions and any potential areas for improvement, if you do not receive comprehensive feedback.
Review your preparation for the interview, your performance, as well as your mannerisms and body language during the interview. You’ll be able to see precisely where you need to make improvements.
Advance and change
Your abilities are not fixed and can constantly be enhanced. Only via meaningful job can skills be further developed. If you do not have paid employment, you may be able to get work through an internship or a volunteer position. On Fiverr or Upwork, you may also accept temporary freelance jobs. You may enhance your soft skills in a variety of ways as well. You can engage with a soft skill trainer or participate in distance-learning soft skill training seminars.
Reorganise your resume
Your resume will be your first point of contact with a new employer. Obviously, such a crucial paper shouldn’t be written informally. The following attributes must be present on the resume:
- Catchy and succinct: Nobody loves a dry, accomplishment-listing CV that reads like an essay. So make sure your CV is clear, simple, and appealing.
- Relevant: When applying for a job in banking, it won’t do to mention your essay competition victories. Regarding the position being applied for, the resume should be pertinent.
- Highlight your strengths: Any internship, qualification, or training that would provide you an advantage over others should be highlighted.
Shifting streams
A new door opens when the previous one closes. Never overthink a chance you might get in a different stream. Consider trying it. Your range of opportunities may only be reduced if you become entrenched in a certain industry or position.
Multidisciplinary profiles are preferred by the present employment market. It would only improve your chances for the future to have a variety of experiences. In the other stream, you might stand out more, who knows?
Continually be on the lookout for new chances
Keep a variety of chances in your hands rather than placing all of your hopes and dreams in one career or business.
Utilise effective job portals to keep track of positions that match your desired role at several companies so you can submit applications to several places at once. Additionally, it prevents you from becoming disheartened because you are aware that there will always be other opportunities to look out for, so one rejection won’t matter.
Never give up
You must make the commitment to yourself to never give up. Never give up. Ever. Try out a new online course, sign up for a free webinar, take on freelancing work, or look for an internship. If nothing else succeeds, do a project for a corporation and present it to them. They might decide to hire you after noticing your commitment and abilities.