“Job Rejection Doesn’t Have to Sting,”

 01 Nov 2022 Tue 

Didn’t Get the Job? How to Learn from Rejection

Hearing “no” from your dream employer can be a real blow to the ego. But it doesn’t have to be. To transform job rejection from a devastating experience into a developmental one, 

(1) start by remembering that it’s not personal; there are myriad reasons why you might not have been chosen, most of which are totally out of your control. Resist the temptation to romanticize the organization at your own expense. Instead of ruminating on your own imperfection, remind yourself that the organization isn’t perfect, either—it just wasn’t a match. 

(2) Next, use the experience to sharpen your interviewing skills for the next opportunity. Reflect on what worked well this time around and what didn’t, then tweak your messaging and delivery accordingly.

(3)  Finally, ask the hiring manager for feedback. Even if you don’t agree with everything you hear, you might gain some valuable insights that could boost your chances next time around. Rejection is unavoidable in your career. Take it in stride.

This tip is adapted from “Job Rejection Doesn’t Have to Sting,” by Marlo Lyons