Becoming Comfortable With Rejection
Unfortunately, rejection is the most common part of the job application process, and especially for junior applicants. Considering all the extant factors which might prevent us from getting that coveted position (think internal staff changes, business issues, hiring freezes, etc.) combined with the fact that, according to Forbes, “the average number of people who apply for any given job: 118,” the application process stands revealed: an uphill battle. But if rejection is a certainty, then we should focus less on avoiding rejection, and more on becoming comfortable with those rejections, finding value in them, and learning skills to mitigate them.
Ask anyone, rejection really is unavoidable. And at the entry-level, without previous industry experience, employers will expect you to encapsulate your entire personality, convey all you can bring to a role, and note your qualifications with only a resume and cover letter. If these documents don’t positively sing, you can expect others with subjectively superior qualifications (internships, educations, networks) to get opportunities instead. Other times, rejections follow supposedly great interviews, after we’ve bragged about “nailing it!” And others still will come in the form of silence; hiring managers frequently shy away from the conflict inherent in a personalized rejection. Rejections are common, sometimes cruel, and often impersonal. Bring this understanding into the job search, and you will already be more prepared than most.
And as with anything related to the job search, preparation is key. But the list of physical preparations required for every application is exhausting. Make sure your qualifications match those listed on the job posting, your skill-set emulates the industry-standard, your resume and cover letters are bespoke to whatever industry and employer you’re applying to, and research the role, industry, and employer as much as possible. It’s a lot to consider. That said, you should never be discouraged from applying to positions that are perhaps “reaches,” but be realistic about your chances. Consider giving yourself a certain timeframe in which to search for “ideal positions,” while compiling a set of more attainable positions you will apply to thereafter.
In addition to reducing the rejection you will receive, all this preparation naturally improves our application ability. It makes us think critically about word choice, qualifications, and presentation. It helps us situate ourselves in the job market, making us better able to identify opportunities in the future. It makes us better communicators, and helps develop our work ethic. The benefits are many and varied.
But no matter what we do, rejection discomfort is natural and difficult to dispel. Though it’s easier to feel comfortable and confident in general if we feel so about our application material, our interviewing ability, and our professionalism. Yet another reason why an interview/job coach can be an incredible asset. Having had experience working with hiring managers, or perhaps even being one previously, coaches magnify and solve important issues with your applications and interview performances.
With or without a coach’s assistance, however, there’s no way to completely prevent rejections. But by using the strategies above, we can reduce the sting of rejection, all while developing skills and understandings to take with us into our professional lives. Struggling with rejection or applications? Have employment questions? Reach me, Nancy, at www.idealinterviewco.com to set up a consultation! It’s always the right time to make yourself the best candidate you can be!