October 28, 2023

Mastering Rejection in Your Career

By Corinne Winter-Rousset

Rejection is a common and inevitable experience in any career.  Nobody likes it, doesn’t feel good.  To master it, try to reframe rejection as an opportunity for growth and learning. Analyze the feedback you receive and use it to improve your skills. Stay positive and persistent, and don't let rejection discourage you from pursuing your goals. Remember that rejection does not define your worth or abilities, and keep pushing forward towards success.

How we handle rejection is just as important to our confidence as how we handle success when it happens.

The way we deal with rejection can have an impact on our confidence, just like the way we handle success does.   

Four most important ways to handle rejection.

• Acknowledge and accept your emotions: It's important to validate your feelings and allow yourself to feel the disappointment, sadness, or frustration that comes with rejection.

• Learn from the experience: Take time to reflect on the situation and identify any areas where you can improve your approach or skills. Use the feedback to grow and develop.

• Keep moving forward: Don't let rejection hold you back from pursuing your goals.

• Stay persistent and keep taking action towards your aspirations. Remember that rejection is a normal part of life and everyone experiences it at some point.

If an potential employer rejects your application, what should you do?

If a potential employer rejects your application, you can ask for feedback to improve your future applications, continue your job search, and realise that sometimes it just doesn’t click.

What about those companies that won’t give feedback.

It can be frustrating when companies don't provide feedback, but unfortunately, it's not always within your control. If you've tried reaching out and haven't received a response, it might be best to focus your energy on other opportunities. Keep in mind that there could be a variety of reasons why a company doesn't provide feedback, such as a high volume of applicants or legal restrictions.

How not to ruin a potential future opportunity?

To avoid ruining a potential future opportunity, it's important to be professional and respectful in all your interactions. This includes being on time, following through on commitments, and communicating clearly and effectively. It's also important to maintain a positive online presence and to be mindful of what you post on social media. Finally, remember to always treat others with kindness and respect, as you never know who might be able to help you in the future.

What does handling rejection professionally look like?

Handling rejection professionally involves accepting the decision gracefully, thanking the person who rejected you for their time and consideration, and maintaining a respectful attitude. It's important to avoid taking the rejection personally, and to use the experience as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

Reasons why a recruiter might reject your application?

There are several reasons why a recruiter might reject your application, such as:

• Lack of relevant experience or qualifications

• Poorly written cover letter or resume

• Spelling or grammar errors in application materials sloppy sloppy

• Negative online presence or inappropriate social media behaviour that doesn’t match the values.

• Not meeting the job requirements or qualifications

• Poor communication skills or unprofessional behavior during the interview process

• Not being a good cultural fit for the company.

What is it like for a recruiter when the client can’t decide?

When a client can't decide, it can be frustrating for recruiters. It can cause delays in the hiring process and make it difficult to move forward with potential candidates. Recruiters may need to work with the client to better understand their needs and priorities in order to help guide their them towards a decision. Clear communication and a collaborative approach can help alleviate some of the challenges that arise when a client can't decide.

More detail when a client ghosts you?

It says something about everyone’s character when a client stops responding or "ghosts" you, it can be frustrating and confusing. If you haven't heard back after sending a follow-up email, it may be worth texting to see if everything is okay.  Could easily be that your client is being pounded from all sides for a million different decisions a day that must be taken.  Maybe the client’s team is disorganised in their responsibilities, that’s what we’re here for, to help make it glide.  Sometimes we as candidates need to understand that their own personal recruitment process may not be the company’s top priority above all else and so things take time as it it fits into their time management and travel schedule.  Follow up for us is called nice nagging.

If you still don't get a response, it's best to move on and focus your energy on other potential clients.  Remember to always maintain a professional tone and keep communication open and clear.  But prepare your candidates for delays that you cannot influence and that there is NO forcing a client to move any faster than they can.  Sometimes we simply have to wait for the right role when all the stars align.

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All Rights Reserved copyright Corinne Winter-Rousset