How to Deal With Job Rejection - From Feeling Hopeful to Moving On

Job rejection can feel like a dagger to the heart. It’s usually followed by an even worse feeling: dejection. But how exactly do you deal with job rejection?

Author of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling book, Simple Reminders: Inspiration for Living Your Best Life, Bryant McGill wrote a marvelous quote, "Rejection is merely a redirection; a course correction to your destiny."

Getting rejected from your ideal job doesn't mean throwing in the towel on the hiring process, but to learn from the rejection to find a new direction. A part of the learning process of job rejection is to understand why we feel dejected and how to manage the obstacles of moving on to a better fit.

What Is Job Rejection?

Job rejection is when a company sets a hiring goal and your qualifications do not make them want to pick you for an interview. This could be based on your job title, qualifications, or personal qualities. The reason why someone might reject an employment offer is because they are aiming to fill a certain job opening, they have a difficult time determining what job opening to pick, or they are afraid of being set up for a fall.

Why Does Job Rejection Happen?

In most cases, job candidates are at least somewhat concerned about being rejected for a job opportunity. This can cause us to worry that our skills and experiences aren’t good enough to slot into a certain role. It could also cause us to worry that the company isn’t fully aware of our abilities and experience. If these feelings are left unaddressed, they could lead to feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.

This can then transition into feelings of insecurity and worthlessness. These feelings can also develop because a company is understaffed or has a hiring freeze, which could be an indication that the position is full.

Job rejections are common and usually happen for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common reasons why a company may reject an application for a position are:

1. You haven’t been given a clear explanation as to why the position has been filled and you aren’t offered the position.

2. You haven’t been given a specific reason as to why you aren’t a good fit for the role.

3. You haven’t been given a deadline as to when you’ll be contacted again.

How to Manage Job Rejection

When you feel rejected for a job, it’s important to remember that you aren’t being set up for a fall.

This could be a result of a company being understaffed, having a hiring freeze, or having to pick up the slack from a previous hire. If you have the skills and experience that a company needs, but the hiring manager has just been given a personal deadline, it’s possible that the job has been offered to someone else.

In layman's terms, the hiring process isn't as simple as it appears to be and somethings are simply outside of your control.

Obstacles to Moving on When You Have Been Rejected

Sometimes you have to let go of the past and move forward.

If you’ve been rejected for a job; it’s important to remember that job interviews are about more than just the job offer. It’s also about the employer’s confidence in your abilities to fill the new role.

Life After the Breakup

Once you’ve gotten the boot from the position, it’s important to move on with your life. How do you do that when you’ve been given the “get out of jail free” card after almost qualifying for the job? There are a number of ways you can move on, including:

1. Looking for other jobs.

2. Keeping your heart open for new opportunities.

3. Improving your skills and experience.

4. Keeping a distance between you and the employer.

5. Some people also find it helpful to find a support group on LinkedIn or in person via Meetup.

Other Things to Consider

There are a few other things to consider when it comes to dealing with job rejections: For some people, the feeling of job rejection is a motivation booster. If the feeling motivates you, you’re more likely to work harder for the opportunity to get a job and a promotion. There’s also the fact that many job rejections are subtle. We might not even realize that a company has rejected our application until months or years have passed without an email or phone call or — sometimes — an letter in the mail.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve discussed everything from why we feel rejected to how to move on when your dream job has been snatched away from you. Knowing what to expect before you apply can help you move forward with more optimism and self-assurance.