How to deal with rejection and refocus your job search

Everyone faces some kind of rejection when they are looking for a new career. Whether it’s applying with no call backs or getting through to the second stage and being pipped to the post, it can be hard to stay resilient on your job hunt.

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The ONE Group writes:

We’ve gathered some tips to help you regain confidence in your job search and prepare you for success.


Addressing the issues

Stress can be a huge factor in rejection, it is a natural reaction. Take the NAC approach: Notice, Accept, Choose. Notice that you are feeling despondent to your job search after the rejection, accept what has happened, you may not have got this role and that is hard to process, but there are other roles out there and choose to use this rejection positively to refocus.

Refocus

Instead of sitting and dwelling on the rejection you have experienced, turn the stress into motivation. If you were rejected, think about why this may have been; is your CV written correctly? Does it show you off properly? Were you late to your interview? Were you dressed appropriately? If you still cannot grasp what may have gone wrong, ask the interviewer for feedback, they should be more than happy to give this to you. If you are going through a recruiter for a role this can be much easier, the recruiter will have a relationship with the company and interviewer, therefore they will be able to access the feedback quicker and it may be more honest. 

Narrow your search

We’ve all been a little guilty of the “mass apply”, sending your CV out like an all you can eat buffet and getting no interest at the table. The job market is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies now looking for 100% matches to roles, instead of 90%, due to the mass of job seekers out there. Be selective where you apply and don’t be afraid to turn roles down. Make sure you gauge the company before agreeing to interview, assess whether you think you are truly suitable, what the company culture is like, the team you will be working within. Gather as much background as you can, to make informed applications.  

If you are being represented by a recruiter, meet with them, discuss your wants and needs from your new role and make this information as accurate as possible. Search your interviewer on LinkedIn to understand more about the sector. The more honest you are about a role with yourself/your recruiter before you apply, the less rejection you will face. 

You aren’t alone

As of the 12th of April 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics, there were 1.56 million job seekers in the UK, all facing similar rejection to yourself. So, do not feel alone. Many more job seekers are turned down than are placed into a role, in 2014, employers received 39 graduate CVs for every 1 graduate job and that number is only rising. Once you can recognise this, you can move on to your next opportunity.
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