To The Girl Who Got Rejected For a Job,
I totally get it– reading the words “we will not be moving forward with your application at this time” may feel like one of the worst things that could have possibly happened. You’ve spent countless hours proofreading your resume and cover letter and were sure you aced the interview! So what happened? The unfortunate truth is that you may never know exactly why you did or didn’t get your dream job or internship. However, there are a few things you can do to bounce back from this and prove them wrong.
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First, you have to let yourself wallow. I know, this sounds counterproductive. But if you don’t allow yourself to completely process how this rejection makes you feel, you’ll never quite be back to the way you were before. Whether it’s unwinding with a LUSH bath bomb, eating your favorite (and maybe not so healthy) meals, or treating yourself to that one item you’ve been eyeballing, it’s important that you find the things that make you happy and remind yourself that things might just be okay.
After you’ve enjoyed a healthy self-care session, try thinking back to why they went with someone else for the job. Was it because you had a slightly problematic slip up in the interview? Maybe the company’s culture just wasn’t a good fit for your work style. Or was this position just a little out of your professional reach? Even though you feel like you really were the perfect match, it’s important to find out what went wrong so you can prevent it from happening in future opportunities. So dig deep and start thinking!
Now that you’ve practiced some hardcore introspection, it’s time to pick yourself up and get your hustle back! Instead of imagining who may have gotten the position you wanted, just remember everyone has their chance to shine and yours is coming up as soon as you get back on the grind. Taking all those observations from your professional self-reflection, apply them to your new job hunt! Thought the last position was a little bit over your head? Try looking for more entry-level internships! Was the company just not vibing with your work style? Pay close to job descriptions and whether they portray the company culture as “vibrant”, “fast-paced”, or even “flexible”! Remember: you deserve to be with a company that compliments you! Before applying for jobs, don’t forget to brush up your resume and write a new cover letter! Consider it a fresh start for the new, confident you!
Job rejections can be tough, especially when you’re a strong, capable and very employable candidate! However, despite all the confusion as to why it happened, there is always a new opportunity waiting to happen for you! So leave the past in the past and get ready for a new work day. And remember: one rejection does not define who you are. So get your resume and interview heels ready because you’ve got this!