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What are Some Ways to Handle Job Rejection?

Lauren Romano
Lauren Romano

The working world can be a bit daunting if you are not ready and willing to accept whatever comes your way. While many people go into an interview excited at the prospect of landing a new job, the reality is that it may not happen. When job rejection happens, there are ways to handle it so that you can move on and work on landing a different job.

When you learn that you did not get a job, attempt to understand what may have been some factors in why you were not hired. Go over the interview in your mind to see if there were any moments where you may have made an error. Not only can this be helpful in understanding why you did not get the job, but it can also be useful in improving your interview techniques.

Businessman with a briefcase
Businessman with a briefcase

While you may want to obsess over why you did not get a job, this could be what holds you back. After you take a minimal amount of time evaluating your interview, move forward and push that experience out of your mind. Dwelling on job rejection cannot only have an effect on your confidence, but it can also keep you from getting another job that you want.

Job rejection can be a big wake-up call as to what you can do to improve professionally. Take what happened and use it to your advantage. Do your research to find out what qualifications you need to get the type of job you desire and how you can go about getting them. Consider it motivation for you to be the employee that the company is looking for, not someone that they would turn away.

When some people find out that they did not get a job that they wanted, they may quit looking for a job altogether. It is counterproductive, but the fear of facing rejection again may convince some to avoid putting themselves in the situation at all. Instead of letting the job rejection get the best of you, put yourself out there and keep searching. Apply to every listing you come across that you believe you are qualified for and get your resume out there.

Many people are going to face a job rejection at some point in their life. It doesn’t matter how many jobs you applied for and didn’t get, what matters is what you do to help yourself get the next job you apply for. Instead of thinking negatively, focus on the possibility that the next interview you walk into may be the one that gets you the job.

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      Businessman with a briefcase