We have all been rejected from our dream job once (or many times). It definitely never feels good when this happens. But, as much as we hate it, rejection is part of life. The important thing is not to take the rejection personally or let it ruin you all day. Here are the steps you can take to overcome rejection:
Grieve as needed. It’s horrible not getting the dream job you wanted or that promotion you had in mind. Regretting that loss is a normal and healthy process. Don’t feel bad or weak for doing it. If you need to cry, do it. The important thing is not to let the pain cloud your thoughts and to know that this is something that you are going to overcome.
Do not take it personally. This is advice that we all need to hear. Every time you get turned down for a job, it’s easy to think, “It’s because I wasn’t good enough,” but that’s not true. When you apply for potential jobs, they measure your ability to complete that job. It has nothing to do with your worth as a person or your abilities in general. There are other times when you qualify, but someone better shows up. It is a business, and we must understand that the company only seeks its best interests.
Remember your achievements. Any achievement done matters, so don’t feel like a total failure just because you didn’t get the job. Reminding yourself that you have accomplished many things in your life helps you put things in perspective. After all, if you’ve accomplished something once, you can do it again. You are capable, your history proves it.
Concentrate on your goals. We all have goals in life. Getting that job was probably one of them, and it didn’t work, but in what other ways could it have worked? What other things can you do to achieve the goals you have set out to achieve? Focus your energy and attention on that and on your long-term goals. Doing so will help you forget about rejection and help you do something productive with your time.
Recognize that this was not your only chance. Opportunities, especially in today’s world, may seem like they only come once on a blue moon. They may not arrive as frequently as we would like, but they do arrive when they have to.
Do something that makes you feel powerful. Do something that makes you feel in control. Something that increases your self-esteem and makes you feel more powerful to remind yourself that you are. Use this activity as proof of what you are capable of.
Keep looking for opportunities. Of course, when you get rejected from a job, the last thing you want to do is try again. You have to keep trying despite the rejection. If you don’t, you won’t grow or learn, and then what would be the point? Don’t let any company tell you who you are or what you can do. That is up to you to decide.
