You have found a job opening that fits your skills. You sent a well-crafted cover letter and resume, did the interview, and showed the hiring manager how much value you can bring to the table. After he praised your experience and excellent test scores, your excitement doubled. The interviewer told you to wait a few days for their response, so you did. Then the feedback comes in the form of a job rejection email; you didn’t land the job you’re pursuing. Heartbreaking, isn’t it?  

In every job search, rejection is just part of the process. It will always sting. Rejection is not pleasant, and it’s easy to catastrophize and take it as a sign of failure. But remember: no matter how prepared you are or how hard you network, many factors are just beyond your control. 

Turning Job Rejection into an Opportunity 

Unfortunately, even if you’ve exerted your full effort to land your dream job, it doesn’t always pay-off. Getting rejected is disheartening. It’s okay to feel sad or even annoyed after rejection. Just remember, It is only a setback, not a failure. It is only you not being the right puzzle piece for that employer now. Don’t over-analyze the outcome. Let it go and prepare yourself for the next job opportunity. As the adage goes, “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade!”

Pro Tips: 5 Ways to Deal with Job Rejection

No one likes to submit a resume and hear nothing back from the employer. You worked hard on this. No one wants to go through all that prep and all those interviews to learn that somebody else claimed the prize. For every job vacancy, there will be more qualified people rejected than gets the part. 

One question remains: how will you move on?

Here are five solid suggestions: 

 

• A sucker punch in the ego? Say “thank you” anyway. 

Why would you give thanks to the interviewer that rejected you? It’s simple; it’s not only polite and professional, but they deserve it, too. Although you didn’t get the position, the employer still took the time to review your application and called you for interviews. Saying “thank you” can bolster your reputation (and it might just feel good).

 

• What went wrong? Ask for detailed feedback.

Rejection is a bummer, but it can also serve as an enlightening learning experience if you’re open to it. After you thank the interviewer for considering you, ask them for detailed feedback about why you didn’t get the offer. Although some employers are reluctant to fulfill this request, there’s no harm in seeking out constructive criticism. And– you can bet they’ll remember your commitment to improvement if the opportunity comes around again.  

 

• Stop and smell the flowers.

It’s daunting to get your first rejection email or call. But if you made it through several rounds, take a step back and congratulate yourself for making it this far. Cranking out your next cover letter and making changes to your resume right after a rejection is counterproductive as well. Wait until you are in a back in a better mindset before doctoring your documents and sending more applications. 

 

• Don’t take the rejection personally. 

You may feel hurt and angry after rejection. But if you look at things in perspective, you will realize that you are not going to land every job you apply for. Some things are beyond your control. For instance, you may have performed excellently, but another candidate has more relevant experience than you. You could have done less, and you could have done worse.

 

• Don’t stop now! Keep learning and developing. 

Rejection can dent your confidence, so make sure to keep your morale and motivation levels on point and always be eager to learn. If you have no job at the moment, it’s an excellent move to sharpen your skills through part-time training courses or mentorship. Being professionally active can help you gain experience, boost your confidence, and prepare you for the next interview. 

Dealing with rejection, especially if it’s a stream of rejection over time, is never easy. But don’t let it affect your future career. The best way to move on is to treat it as a learning opportunity and use your rejection to help you face future job interviews. If you want to turn your rejections into future successes, you can reach out to JC Porter. We can help you strengthen your interview style and keep your chin up until the right job comes along. Remember that in every job rejection, there’s another job opportunity around the corner. Call (303) 953-1139 and enjoy job hunting with JC Porter today!