Didn't Get the Job? Look to the Positive.

When you are out of work and applying for job after job it can be exhausting. However, after applying for all those jobs and the job rejection emails begin to roll in that can be downright discouraging. You begin to think why the heck am I pouring my heart and soul into applying for these jobs just to get the dreaded rejection email. Ugh! Once this mindset starts to set in it can be hard, so here are some tips to help you turn those rejections into motivation.

1. Don't Despair - For those times that you apply for a job and almost immediately get a job rejection email or you applied for a job, got an interview, and then got the rejection email or call do not let this stop you in your tracks. Just like everything that happens to you in your life you must choose how to react to it. What do these job rejections mean? They mean that, for whatever reason, you were not selected to be a good fit for the job. Do not let this get you down. Let this challenge you to continue to hone your job search strategy. In fact, take the time to begin doing a hobby you enjoy. You may even be able to monetizing your hobby to earn some cash and easy some anxiety.

2. Seek Help and Help - If your rejection responses are piling up and you are at a loss as to what you can do differently, then reach out for help. Reach out to a friend that can remind you of your worth. Find a mentor that you can continue to learn from and gives you the momentum to try yet again. Ask friends and family what they feel would be a good field for you or why they think you are good at the field you are pursuing. Heed the advice you feel is helpful and incorporate that into your job search. If you are jobless, why not spend the new time you have helping others in some way? This gets you out of your own head, gets you out of the house, and you can list it on a resume to show you are doing something during your down time.

3. Stay Gracious - Try very hard not to be bitter. Sure, rejection hurts, but the last thing you need is to react in a bad way and block the lines of communication. What you want to do is act so graciously they will welcome hearing from you again. In fact, send a thank you letter the next day thanking them for bringing you in for the interview, you respect their decision, and hope they find the right person. You can let them know how much you learned about the company from the interview, and you will be applying for another open position if you see a good fit. If you can do this and you find another position at that company that you want to apply to, they may have a pleasant memory of you. Coming from this place of gratitude will put you in the right frame of mind to focus on building your skills and taking steps to make good use of your time while you are unemployed.

To wrap up, stay positive, seek advice, and strive to be known as the forever gracious one. This will allow you the motivation you need to keep applying for open positions. This will allow you to hone your job search after each rejection. Finally, this will allow you to leave the interviewer with a good memory of you for the next time you interview.

Happy interviewing!