Job interviews can be tough, especially if you're a seasoned professional facing a competitive market. But by building resilience and learning to handle rejection, you can stay motivated and secure the right position. Here’s how to navigate the ups and downs of the job search.
STAY POSITIVE AND PREPARED
Expect and Normalise Rejection
Understand the Landscape: Rejection is a common part of the job search process. With so many qualified applicants, even strong candidates often face rejection. Realising this upfront can help you manage expectations and stay resilient.
Try Not to Take It Personally: Often, rejections are not about your abilities but about fit, timing, or internal company decisions. It’s not a judgment of your worth. Recognising this can help you stay focused and positive.
Maintain a Positive Mindset
Focus on Strengths: Keep a list of your achievements and strengths handy. Review it regularly to remind yourself of your value and what you bring to the table.
Celebrate Small Wins: Each step forward is a victory. Did you get a callback? Did the interview go well? Celebrate these milestones. They’re signs you’re on the right track.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Practice Self Care
Balance Your Time: Job searching can be exhausting. Schedule time for activities that you enjoy and that relax you, whether it’s exercise, reading, or spending time with loved ones. This helps you stay balanced and reduces stress.
Be Kind to Yourself: Negative self-talk can be damaging. If a rejection happens, allow yourself to feel disappointed but avoid harsh self-criticism. Remind yourself that setbacks are a normal part of the journey.
Check out our blog How To Maintain Your Mental Health While Looking For Work, for more tips on self-care and maintaining your mental health while job hunting.
Build a Support System
Stay Connected: Share your experiences with friends, family, or mentors who can offer encouragement and perspective. Isolation can amplify stress, so staying connected is crucial.
Seek Professional Help: Consider working with a career coach or a recruiter (cough us cough 😉). They can provide valuable insights, help you refine your approach, and keep you motivated with their expertise.
LEARN AND ADAPT
Reframe and Reflect
Reframe Rejection: Instead of seeing rejection as a failure, view it as valuable feedback. What can you learn from this experience? This mindset shift can make rejection feel less personal and more like a stepping stone to success.
Reflect and Improve: After each interview, take time to reflect. What went well? What could be better? If possible, ask for feedback from the interviewer to gain insights on areas to improve.
Improve Your Strategy
Tailor Your Resume: Customise your resume for each job application. Use keywords from the job description and highlight experiences that align with the role. This increases your chances of passing through automated shortlisting systems.
Practice Interview Skills: Regularly practice answering common interview questions. Use specific examples from your experience and avoid vague language. The more you practice, the more confident and articulate you’ll become.
KEEP MOVING FORWARD
Stay Persistent
Embrace the Process: Accept that rejection is part of the journey. Each application and interview are opportunities to learn and grow. Keep applying and don’t let setbacks discourage you.
Maintain a Positive Outlook: Stay optimistic and focus on the long-term goal. Each “no” brings you closer to the right “yes.” Persistence and a positive mindset are your best allies.
Establish a Routine
Create Structure: Set a daily or weekly job search routine. Break down your goals into manageable tasks, such as applying to a certain number of jobs per week or practicing interview questions daily.
Review and Adjust: Assess and adapt your strategies based on any feedback you may get along the way, be that how your interview, your resume or the type of experience you need. What’s working? What’s not? What example landed? And, what needs refinement?
By combining these resilience-building practices with effective strategies for handling rejection, you’ll navigate the job search with confidence and persistence. Stay positive, take care of yourself, learn from each experience, and keep moving forward. Success is just around the corner!
