The Positives of Job Rejection
In this day and age, where a huge amount of people have degrees, start working at a young age, and generally have plump CV’s, lots of people are under the impression that they’ll land a job in no time, and it can give a false sense of confidence and safety.
If this is the case, getting rejected may hurt your perseverance levels with each unsuccessful interview or application. It is common to then think that you’ll never get a job or that you have to settle for one you don’t have any interest in.
1) It gives time to do and be better
Sometimes we need to receive a rejection to knock us down a few pegs, as the saying goes. We, as a species, seem to be so eager to rush things, regardless of whether the outcome is better or worse having rushed the process, and rejection may give time to master the art at being a good candidate – it forces you go away and learn not to repeat whatever it was that got you rejected in the first place. You have time to get your thoughts and research in order, go into more depth and detail about the role and company(/ies), and ultimately be more prepared in all aspects. You will answer questions more concisely, confidently and matter-of-factly than you previously did, because you (should) believe in your answers more.
2) You may reconsider your goals and career direction
If you really had your heart set on going down a certain route, then rejection will reinforce that determination and gusto within you. Alternatively, your mindset might do the opposite, and the rejection will force you to realise that it may not be the path for you. Whether it may be the realisation that your interests don’t match that industry or that your goals will not be fulfilled within that role, this could encourage you to look into entirely new career choices that you had never considered before.
3) Rejection teaches patience and focus
You may have spent months finding the right job within the right company, applying to it, preparing for interviews, then actually attending said interviews, all to receive a generic email of rejection. It hurts, it’s frustrating, and most people can relate – and if you cant, then lucky you. We don’t just give up though, do we? No! Instead, we refocus and start again. In life you may not get what you want right away, because that’s just life and it’s not always sunshines and rainbows (literally, as every British person knows!). If you’re willing to work hard and focus on what you want, then add a little patience to the mix and you will end up where you want (and deserve) to be.
4) It is an opportunity for reflection
A lot of people handle rejection (especially if it’s your first dose of it) by complaining to anyone who will listen, and venting about your frustrations. As easy as it is to think “but I did everything, they’re being unfair”, it is more beneficial to your peace of mind and future prospects to take what you can from the rejection, and move forward with it. There is always something else; another job to apply to, another avenue to go down, another route to take, and being rejected from a job won’t stop the earth from turning. In the wise words of J.K. Rowling, who is more than qualified to be giving philosophical musings on rejection: “Failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default”.
If you have been having bad luck in searching for a job and are looking for a new role, whether that’s in Recruitment, Sales or Office Support, call 0203 700 8483 and we’d love to help as best we can. At 5Q, we are recruitment specialists with clients in Central London and across England (with a main focus on the South), and could connect you to a number of fantastic businesses. If you are unsure on the opportunities available to you and your skillset, and want a quick, informal chat with one of our expert consultants, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
