Rejection doesn’t count as failure

  • By Eve Nicholas
  • Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:13pm
  • Business

Dealing with rejection can be difficult, especially after you spent many hours writing a powerful resume, getting in touch with companies and sitting through the stressful interview process.

The reason for the negative response may be out of your control. Unexpected budget cuts. Too many applicants. The boss’s nephew got the job. But what if the rejection occurred because of your limited experience in the field, or less-than-perfect interviewing skills? Here are a few tips to help you turn things around:

Take a break. If you’ve been actively job searching for a while, you probably could use a little bit of time off. Job hunting takes a great deal of patience and commitment, and can drain your energy if you aren’t careful.

Even if you can only afford to escape for a few hours, a short break will clear your mind and prepare you for future challenges. Go for a walk. See a movie or some live music. Visit a friend. Do something — anything — that shifts your mind away from job searching for a little while.

Review your goals. When you’re ready to return, take a few moments to think about your career path. Does your job search match your personal needs and objectives? How do your goals fit in with rest of your life?

Whether you are seeking a regular paycheck or pursuing the job of your dreams, every aspect of your job hunt should be consistent with your personality.

Many professionals get caught up in the urgency of landing a new position, and lose themselves and their goals in the process. If you received numerous rejections, or were ignored after contacting many companies, it may be a sign that you are headed in the wrong direction.

Evaluate your presentation. If you feel strongly about your career direction, you are probably on the right track. You may just need to enhance your presentation as you move forward.

First, look over your resume and letters. They should represent three things: your goals, your work history and your personality. Make your documents stand out. Write with confidence. Highlight your achievements. Target specific jobs to give yourself a leg-up over competition.

Next, reconsider your methods for contacting companies. Let’s say that you answered 25 job ads, or posted your resume online. If you received little or no response, it’s time to switch to a new strategy. Work with a recruiter. Meet some new people in your field. Market yourself to organizations by contacting them yourself.

Finally, if you did not receive a job offer after many interviews, you probably need to improve your communication tactics before the next meeting. Learn as much as you can about the company before you arrive. Offer solutions to business challenges. Ask questions. Be honest and forthright about your background and experience. Always guide the conversation back to the value that you will bring to the organization.

Dive back in. You’ve heard the expression about getting back on the horse, right? The same holds true for job hunting. Take a short break, use the time you need to prepare, and then get back in the game. Rejection doesn’t count as failure unless you give up. So don’t.

Send your job search questions to eve.getajob@gmail.com.

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