Tips to Overcome Workplace Rejection
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Have you ever had that feeling of exhilaration after you aced an interview? You are on a natural high; your confidence is soaring; and absolutely nothing can stop you. You feel ready to conquer the world and take on the next challenge. Those positive emotions drive you and keep you focused no matter what obstacles you have to overcome.
So what if you aced the interview and didn’t get the job? The rejection alone is enough to cripple your confidence. Questions of why or what could I have done better take center stage in your mind. Better yet, you might think what skills am I lacking? Not all jobs appear to be the perfect fit and for whatever reasons, unknown to us, we may not get that job. The question is, how do we move forward?
The Startling Truth
Retention is a huge issue facing employer right now. In fact it’s estimated that 68% of employers have hired the wrong candidate at least once at the tune of $25K-$50K to make the situation right.[1] Additionally it can cost an employer up to 400% of an employee’s annual salary depending on their level.[2] Yikes! Those are costly mistakes and no wonder employers are under pressure to make sure they hire not only the right person, but a person who will also fit in with the organization’s culture.
What reasons are employers using to select new employees? Good question. In a survey of over 2,000 hiring managers has turned up some unexpected factors that can determine which candidates get hired most often. It’s not all about your skills and experiences. Here’s what they said[3]:
The candidate with the better sense of humor – 27%
The candidate who is involved in his or her community – 26%
The candidate who is better dressed – 22%
The candidate who the interviewer has more in common with – 21%
The candidate who is more physically fit – 13%
A candidate who can discuss current affairs and pop culture trends – 8%
A candidate who is more connected in social media – 7%
A candidate who knows about sports – 4%
Ouch! If those are the reasons employers are selecting new employees then knowledge or experience doesn’t matter. So where do we go from here? My personal belief is that what is for you will be for you. As shocking as these facts are, there are reasons you weren’t selected for the job and the chances are the rejection probably is a blessing a disguise.
Letting Go
The hardest thing to do when you feel low or in some cases angry, is to accept the fact that you were rejected. This position could mean a lot to you for various reasons and letting go is difficult- the feelings are hard to overcome.
A starting place is to release your emotions. Don’t let your emotions build up to your breaking point. Find a way to release your emotions- exercise is a good way of doing just that. It helps you release your energy in a positive way. In addition, a benefit of exercise is the positive results it will have on your body. It’s a win-win alternative. Yoga is another form of exercise that is great for the mind and body. Maybe a night-out with friends or a night-in cuddled up in front of the TV watching your favorite movie will do the trick. I implore you to find a release that works for you. Taking your mind off of the negative feelings helps you to restore your confidence.
Once you have released your emotions, it is time to explore your emotions. What are the underlying reasons behind the way you were feeling? Now is the time to take inventory. What can you learn from this experience that will help you in the future? If you are up to it, why not reach out to your interviewer and ask them for feedback. That will give you the information you need as to why you weren’t selected and can provide you with a starting point to develop solutions that will help you during your next interview. Use this information to assess your strengths and weaknesses. This will provide you with insight into potential blind spots and once you uncover the unknown, it’s time to put a plan in action.
Moving On
What’s next? Now that you are fully equipped with the knowledge necessary to overcome your impediments, it’s time to plan your next move.
So what is your ideal job? It’s time to do more research. Use the information you gathered on your strengths and weaknesses and compare with the information you find on your ideal job. Do you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will equip you to perform this job successfully? If so, what have you learned that will help you on your next interview? If not, maybe it’s time to take some training courses to further strengthen your skills.
At the end of the day- its all about you! What do you want and how will you get it? How will you know if you are successful? Take the time to write out your plan of action. Make it detailed and make sure your objectives are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely). Seek an accountability partner or mentor- someone who is just as invested in your future as you are. Enlisting support ensures you will achieve your goal. Who knows, your support may have a connection that will help you indeed land the job of your dreams.
Good luck!