Ryuya Sekido: How to Deal With Rejection During the Interview Process
Whether you’re a first year seeking your first college job or a mid-career professional looking to switch industries, everyone will encounter interview rejection at some point in their life. It's easy to think of the hundreds of minor details that could have contributed to rejection, but it's important to remember that rejection during the interview process is normal, and doesn't define your potential for success in the future. The difference between someone who gets that final job offer and someone who continues to receive bad news is how they respond to their rejections. Here are some ways to deal with rejection and keep moving forward in your job search.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
First and foremost, it’s normal to feel upset and disappointed after receiving news of a rejection. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and process them in a healthy way. Processing disappointing news could include talking to a friend, writing in a journal, or engaging in a stress-relieving activity.
Seek Feedback
If possible, ask the employer for constructive feedback on your performance. Receiving feedback can provide valuable insights into areas where you can improve and increase your chances of success in future interviews. Overall, receiving feedback following an application process, whether you received good news or bad news, is an important habit to develop because it will help you to make adjustments that will bring you closer to future success.
Learn from the Experience
Reflect on the interview process and consider ways to improve for future interviews. After an interview, take notes of any weak areas encountered and seek ways to turn these pain points into strengths in the future. This could mean practicing common interview questions, improving your resume, or seeking professional development opportunities.
Focus on Your Strengths
It’s important not to let rejection define you. Remember your skills and accomplishments, and focus on your strengths. Take the time to celebrate your successes and remind yourself of your worth. Doing these simple, but valuable things can help boost your confidence and keep you motivated in your job search.
Stay Positive
Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial during the job search, especially after a rejection. Surround yourself with positive people, engage in activities that bring you joy, and focus on your goals. Staying positive will help you keep your confidence level high and prevent you from becoming discouraged.
Move Forward
Finally, it’s important not to dwell on rejection. Instead, continue to seek new opportunities and keep growing. Update your resume, reach out to your network, and apply for jobs that align with your skills and goals. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and maintain focus on the career objectives that you've laid out for yourself.
If you don’t get that internship, leadership role or full-time offer, the rejection may feel like a harsh reality, but it’s a common experience for everyone. By acknowledging your feelings, seeking feedback, learning from the experience, focusing on your strengths, staying positive, and moving forward, you can overcome rejection and continue to grow in your career. Remember, everybody gets rejected! It doesn’t define who you are, so keep your head up. Good luck, you got this!