We’ve all been there. REJECTION. Really hyped up on the opportunity for a new company, having had really successful interviews and feeling that high of acceptance. You crushed it on all facets, you came prepared, you asked the right questions and even felt camaraderie with some of your interviewers. 

But then, the iron strikes and you did not get the position. 

After all the excitement of the prospect of a new path gets burned to cinders right in front of you, it is really hard to not be upset and feel that there was something about you that just wasn’t good enough.

I have been there, more times than I like to admit.

I can remember a company I interviewed with in early 2020 had me come in for a 4 hour interview where in which I had to create a presentation on demand as to what I would do for their business as a marketing manager to generate success. Yes, this was a W2 career position where I was asked to give all my juice without the prospect of an ice cold cup. I was even shown the office that would be mine! Then to find out that they decided to hire 2 individuals instead of hiring me, I was crushed. 

Even recently as a consultant I have created pitch deck after pitch deck to only be outbid and undervalued consistently. My rate is my rate and I know the quality of my work. I like to remain firm and confident in that, I know my worth.

However, it has not been easy to get to this point where things just roll off and I don’t take it as a personal attack. I am a Pisces, everything feels like a personal attack when it comes to my professional capabilities. With the pandemic seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, there are more opportunities opening up but that doesn’t mean those opportunities were meant to be for you. 

Here are some things to remember and to activate to keep the feelings of rejection at bay. 

1 | Find peace in job rejection

Brush your shoulders off girl, its going to be OKAY. It’s very cliche to say “if it’s meant to be, it will be” but it is facts. There is always a bigger plan and if it was really meant to be yours then it would have been. Have faith in the chaos and find peace in the rejection. 

2 | It isn’t you, it’s them. 

You know you gave it your best effort and if your best wasn’t the right fit then it isn’t you, it is them. Hiring managers always have something in mind when they set out to fill a position. Sometimes there is someone who fits that bill a little better. But guess what? There is a role perfectly made for you out there and in the perfect circumstance it will fulfill you and lead you to where you are meant to be. 

3 | Keep it tight or make it tighter

Ask the 2 key questions, “was there anything I could have done to guarantee this position? Is there going to be opportunities in the future that I can be kept abreast of?” With these responses you can get some feedback on where you potentially took a misstep and you can identify if you would still be a prospective candidate in the future. If you took a misstep and they identified it, you can easily remedy it in future interview opportunities with other companies if you see it as beneficial feedback. 

Rejection Pro Tip!

Always remember to keep a great report with the interviewers because you never know when your paths may cross again. Engage with them on LinkedIn so you can keep in professionals touch, if it is a company you want another opportunity at then send a follow up email in 6 months! It never hurts to communicate your willingness to join a company down the line. 

Keep Pushing!

While you’re also waiting for a new opportunity, keep applying, get some certifications to reinforce your credibility and continue to network. Never ever allow yourself to have ONE opportunity in the pipeline, always diversify!

Resume tips click here.

Cover letter tips click here.

Questions to ask your interviewer click here.

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