Learning From Job Rejection

Learning from rejection

Rejection stings, and when you don’t really know why you were unsuccessful, it can result in negative self-talk about your skills and capabilities. Avoid doing this. Instead, focus on ways to move past the rejection.

Here’s a few ideas on how to move forward: 

Understand that the perfect job isn’t always perfect

It’s normal to romanticize a job and company based on what we read or hear about them. And part of an interviewer’s role is to sell you on the job and make it seem amazing and exciting from their first contact with you.

If you weren’t selected for whatever reason, use the rejection to reset that romanticized vision and remind yourself that no company or job is as perfect as described.

Reflect on your values

When we’re desperate to find a job — any job — we don’t focus on what’s important to us and whether the role will contribute to our overall fulfillment. Take a step back and reflect on the job you didn’t get and whether it truly aligned with your values. This exercise will help ensure that when you do land a job, it will be fulfilling.

Sharpen your interviewing skills

Going through any interview process allows you to practice your interviewing skills and messaging for the next job interview. Think back to the questions you were asked and how your counterpart reacted to your answers. Which responses landed and which didn’t? Did the hiring manager rephrase what you said more succinctly? Do you have an opportunity to make your message crisper or change your messaging completely?

Develop resilience

The more you’re rejected, the more resilient you’ll become as you learn to recover from the disappointment. After finding out you didn’t get the job, figure out what kind of self-care you need to heal — for example, doing an activity you enjoy. Knowing how you feel in that moment and what it takes to move forward will give you a formula you can apply when faced with any failure.

. . .

Hiring managers can sense negative energy during the interview process. Making rejection a part of your learning will help reframe it as taking one step closer to a job that’s right for you. The quicker you learn what helps you move forward, the easier it will be to look at the next round of interviews as the next challenge to conquer.

There’s a category specific to Interviewing in the Virtual Resource Room at Calgary Career Hub. Lots of great information to ace that interview. Click this link and get your password: Virtual Resource Centre