I am honored today to have a guest post by none other than Working Girl (aka author Karen Burns)! She shares with us 20 great tips on how to deal with the rejection that is a common part of the job hunt. Thanks, Karen!
Looking for a job is a challenge, in so many ways. There’s the networking, the cold calls, the interviews, etc., etc, etc.
And of course there’s the rejection—unfortunately an inevitable part of every job search. Each “Sorry, you’re not what we’re looking for,” makes it that much harder to get out there and try again.
Even worse is when you don’t hear back at all.
No two ways about it. Rejection, no matter what form it takes, is hard. So it’s a smart idea to have plans for how you’re going to deal with it when it comes. Here’s a list of 20 possible ways. One or two (or more) may suit you. Meanwhile, good luck and hang in there.
1. Pout. Go into a room by yourself, feel miserable, and cry. Keep this activity to under 20 minutes.
2. Treat yourself. A massage, an evening out, a new little something (a pair of earrings, a book). Caveat: ONLY stuff you can afford.
3. Throw a fit. Allow yourself a lovely little tantrum. In private. Beat up some pillows or sofa cushions. Let ‘em have it. Again, keep this activity to under 20 minutes.
4. Get yerself some love. Talk it out with a close understanding friend, family member, or loved one. Let them comfort you.
5. Vent. Write it all down in your journal, on your blog. If you’re a songwriter, write a song. If you’re a poet, write a poem. If you’re a painter, paint a painting.
6. Get mad. Resolve to redouble your efforts. Get even by succeeding. Those sorry b*****ds! They’ll regret they missed out on fabulous you!
7. Sweat. Do something physically vigorous–running, biking, swimming. At the very least walk briskly enough to make you pant.
8. Analyze. Look for something constructive about the rejection. Is there anything to be learned from it?
9. Look for the silver lining. Maybe the thing you thought you wanted is not really the right thing for you. Maybe this rejection is going to show you a different, better, path.
10. Assess. Sit down and make a list of all your good qualities. This will make you feel better.
11. Reassess. Sit down and make a list of all your bad qualities. This is illuminating, and may also make you feel better (because there aren’t that many of them).
12. Commiserate. Talk with (or read about) other people who’ve also had to deal with rejection. Someone is always worse off than you. Probably lots of someones.
13. Role play. Imagine you are the rejecting party. Why do you think they rejected you?
14. Forgetaboutit. Once you’ve learned all there is to learn from the rejection, put it behind you. Do not look back. Keep moving forward.
15. Consider the source. Maybe they rejected you because they’re, um, not so smart. Would you really want to work for such dummies?
16. Don’t assume. The “problem” may not be you at all. A rejection doesn’t mean you are inadequate. You’ll never know everything that went into that (bad) decision.
17. Escape into your head. Read something funny, inspiring, absorbing, or fantastical. Or something so difficult and demanding that you are forced to concentrate.
18. Compare. Remember other times you were rejected. How long did it take you to get over them? How did you do it?
19. Rethink, remind, renew. Rethink why you want what you want. Remind yourself of your priorities. Renew your commitment to pursuing your goal.
20. Congratulate yourself. Check that place off your list. Whew. Now you can stop wasting energy on a lost cause and concentrate on more promising targets.
Karen Burns is the author of The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use, published by Running Press. She blogs at www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com.
