Managing rejection in the hiring process
When you set out to select your next career experience, there's a high likelihood that you will encounter rejection. It's not possible for every opportunity to be a match for you and it's important to not lose sight of your goal throughout the process. To ensure you are focused and prepared for the hurdles of rejection that you will be faced with along the way, let's review key ways to manage rejection throughout the hiring process.
Don't take it personal. Ego is the biggest hurdle that we have to overcome when putting ourselves in any vulnerable situation. Our ego is what makes rejection feel like a personal attack. Take back control of your narrative by leading with openness and knowing that you will attract the role that is the next career experience you were meant to have. Embark on your job search with clear expectations of what you need in your next role, while also leaving space for those needs to be packaged differently than you may have pictured.
Conduct a search that gives you a variety of options to consider like companies of various sizes, industries that may differ from your previous experience, or responsibilities that stretch you beyond your comfort zone. Keep in mind that a job description is never a comprehensive overview of a position, if you align with at least 50% of the qualifications and responsibilities outlined and you are truly interested in the challenge of the remaining 50% go ahead and apply. Worst case it winds up not being a match, but you will never know if you don't apply. One caveat here is to be sure that you are at least semi-qualified for the role. If you're a cashier without an astrophysics background, then save your time applying for the astronaut role. However, if astrophysics is where you are most interested, then pursue an education and experience to make yourself a real contender in the space.
When interviewing, be a student. Take diligent notes throughout each interview to give yourself a clear overview of the nuances of the role. Come prepared with questions to help you walk away with a clear picture of the expectations for success in the position. If you are unsuccessful in landing the offer, you now have key insights to leverage in future interviews for similar positions. Ask for feedback to fill in any remaining gaps. Your notes and feedback combined provide lessons for future interviews. All of the replays in your mind, where you wish you would have answered differently or added more detail in your response are your tools to sharpen your interview skills for your next opportunity. The next interview is your chance to demonstrate what you have learned from your prior interviews.
Don't settle, your opportunity is out there. While it may take a few tries to get the hang of interviewing well, it's important to not lose momentum or get discouraged. Continue to get the word out there that you are in the market for your next role through networking and developmental opportunities. It's critical that you are evaluating each company as closely as they are evaluating you. Be sure that there is alignment between your values and those of the company. Consider whether the company supports endeavors that interest you and that you would be proud to represent. Review your list of must haves and make sure that you are not comprising a commodity that is keenly important to you in exchange for something that may not be on your list of must haves. When you experience rejection, it's quite common to see that rejection as an indication that you may need to compromise or change your expectations altogether. Consider whether or not it's true that you need to make compromises and be very diligent about not compromising on the must haves. The goal is to accept an offer for a role that meets your expectations, not settle for the opportunity that you can obtain in the shortest amount of time.
Sometimes no means it's not for you or the timing is out of alignment (not right now). Allow divine protection to play its role. Don't force anything that feels out of alignment for you. This is vital because it's so easy to act out of desperation and wind up having regrets later. A key insight I often share is taking a moment to sense check whether you are running away from your current circumstance or towards a great opportunity. What you attempt to run away from will continue to show up until you learn the lesson being presented. There's simply no way around a lesson you are meant to face and overcome.
Managing rejection can be complicated and at times overwhelming. It becomes easier to navigate with practice and keeping a positive outlook. Curating your career requires diligence and vulnerability. Not only is it possible, be it's also abundantly rewarding.
*Written on the big couch, in the early hours before my family is awake.