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Job Search Rejection Got You Down? Here Are 5 Ways to Bounce Back and Succeed

There’s no way to put this delicately: Getting rejected by a potential employer sucks.

Actually, any kind of rejection sucks, but when it comes to getting rejected by a potential employer bouncing back is a lot easier than it might seem. The following five items are proven approaches to getting over job search rejection.

1) Don’t Take It to Heart

Getting rejected can feel like a personal attack, but rejection often has more to do with outside factors in the context of a job application. Maybe you were rejected because another candidate had an inside track. Or maybe, there were one or two skills that you just couldn’t lay claim to. Sometimes a hiring decision comes down to one or two minor arbitrary details, such as salary expectations or demeanor during the interview.

For your own self-esteem, it is important to remember that rejection from a potential employer isn’t always just about you.

2) Be Realistic About the Job

When you apply to a job, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making it seem like a dream job in your own head. However, there is no such thing as a perfect job. During the hiring process, employers will always gloss over the difficult aspects of the position they are trying to fill. You never know if you would have been working for a horrible boss or getting stuck in the position with no room for advancement.

Importantly, it’s good to recognize that not being picked for a job could be a good thing. You never know if a hiring manager actually did you a favor by rejecting your application.

3) Get Something Out of It

One thought that often crosses your mind after getting rejected for a job is that it was all just a big waste of time. However, every application process is a valuable experience. You just need to know how to get something out of it.

You can do this by asking your contact at the company for feedback. Some companies have a policy prohibiting hiring managers from giving feedback to rejected candidates. It never hurts to ask, and you may end up learning something valuable from someone with an objective point of view.

4) Thicken Your Skin

Just like riding a bike or swimming the backstroke, rejection is a lot easier to master once you get your head around it.

Rejection is a part of risk-taking, and risk-taking is a part of life. If you can figure out a way to emotionally let go of this minor rejection, you’ll be stronger because of it.

5) Consider Getting Career Assistance

One constructive way to deal with job search rejection is to see it as a sign that you could use a bit of career assistance. Everyone from experienced executives two entry-level job seekers could use a bit of career assistance now and again. Getting some help from a career coach or a recruiter might be just the thing you need to land that job you are looking for.

We Can Move Your Job Search Forward

At Career Concepts, we specialize in helping job seekers get over various career challenges and find success. Please contact us today to find out how we can help you overcome your career challenges.

Blog published date

May 04, 2021
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