The difficult truth is you will not receive a job offer after every interview. The feelings of rejection can be difficult to handle especially if you see it as a gauge of your self-worth.
Here are 5 ways to help keep things in perspective and move forward:
1) Try not to pin all of your hopes on one job opportunity. It should be one of many that you are actively pursuing. If it doesn’t work out, focus on the others.
2) Realize that rejection is a part of everyone’s job search. If you want further proof of this, join a job search support club in your area. At the same time a support system and a way to expand your network of contacts, this group of people will hopefully help you realize that you are not alone in your feelings of frustration. Encouragement and empathy can go a long way in staving off the job search blues.
3) Focus on your accomplishments. If you don’t have a brag book, or professional portfolio, start one!
4) Set realistic expectations. You will not be the perfect candidate for every position, so don’t get attached to the idea of working there until you have an offer. Or, you may have been an excellent candidate, but the company filled it with an internal candidate and only posted the position because it was a requirement.
5) Seek out people you trust. It may be tempting to isolate yourself and lick your wounds, but wallowing in negativity will only hamper your ability to prepare for the next job opportunity. Surround yourself with people who can help you see yourself clearly, so you don’t get stuck in self-doubt mode.
A final word of advice – be kind to yourself. Searching for a job may be one of the hardest jobs out there. Take care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally, so that you can persist and succeed in your search.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”