Although rejection is discouraging, it just means that you haven’t found the right position yet. Here are some ways you can make rejection part of your career success story.
You go to interview after interview only to keep hearing “no” over and over again. Although rejection is discouraging, it just means that you haven’t found the right position yet. Here are some ways you can make rejection part of your career success story.
1. Ask for Feedback
Although talking with someone after you have received a rejection letter may be the last thing you want to do, asking for feedback can be very useful. It could be a reason you have no control over, such as the company choosing to hire an internal candidate even though you gave a great interview and fit all the qualifications for the role. Finding that out can at least help you find some closure, which will help you move on to the next interview.
Sometimes, though, it can be a reason such as the employer looking for a particular kind of experience you don’t have yet despite you being highly qualified in other areas. You can then take that information and either decide that you want to gain more experience in that area or decide to pursue a job that places more of an emphasis on the experience you already have. There are many other reasons you might not get an offer, but regardless of what it is, asking for feedback will help you move forward in your search.
2. Connect with the Interviewer(s) on LinkedIn
Networking is a big part of career development, and each new connection is a step forward even if you didn’t receive a job offer. If you have moved on to multiple rounds in an interview process, they have seen something in you and likely want to maintain the connection. You can then use this connection to ask about professional societies and events or to connect you with others they know in your industry. You might even be top of mind when the position or another similar one opens up at that company because you built a connection.
3. Keep a Running List of Your Good Qualities and Accomplishments
While getting rejected can make you doubt yourself, remember that you are talented and that you have something to bring to the table. Reminding yourself of those will help you stay positive and confident in interviews because you will have that list of accomplishments and qualities you can quickly pull from. Forbes recommends that you remind yourself of these accomplishments whenever a negative thought pops up in order to avoid getting stuck in a negative headspace. This will be beneficial to your mental health during this trying period, which is more important than how you come across in interviews.
4. Work With Fisher College’s Career Services Office
No matter when you’ve graduated, Fisher’s Career Services Office is here to help. Maybe your resume needs to be re-vamped, or you need to practice your interview skills. Maybe your elevator pitch needs work. You have access to career experts who will help you figure out new ways to approach your job search. One of Fisher’s most valuable resources is the College’s robust alumni network, and the career center can also help you make connections with graduates currently in your field.
The next time you see an email that says “thank you for your time but…” or “we decided to go in a different direction,” don’t despair! Instead use that rejection as the next stepping stone to finding that right job. It may be a long road, but you will land it sooner than you think.
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