Dealing With Rejection During Your Job Search

These days, you may encounter many rejections during your job search. Take care of your personal wellbeing and keep your hunt on track by following these tips.
Steps to Take for Your Personal Wellbeing
1.   Face your feelings. Getting turned down may trigger difficult emotions such as anger or anxiety. Figure out what troubles you most. It might be mainly economic pressures or doubts about your abilities. This will guide you to the individual solutions you need.
2.  Seek support.Talk to other jobseekers. You may wind up exchanging valuable leads while you help each other feel better. Let family and friends know exactly how they can help you. Find strength in your spiritual practices.
3.  Exercise regularly.A good workout fights stress and pain. If a gym membership is too expensive, take a walk or look for free yoga classes at your local library.
4.  Manage stress.There are many constructive ways to deal with the pressures of unemployment. Breathe deeply, listen to instrumental music, or focus on helping others.
Steps to Shorten Your Job Search
1.  Think like a salesperson.Salespeople know that they’ll probably face a lot of refusals before they close a deal. Remind yourself you’re getting closer to your goal and it’s the ultimate success that counts.
2.  Project confidence.Desperation works against you. Keep in mind that companies are looking for candidates to solve their challenges. Put your worries aside so you can make a good impression.
3.  Remain active.Continue hunting at full steam just in case that promising interview falls through. Rejection letters are easier to take if you’re already looking ahead.
4.  Refine your strategy.If the job offer goes to someone else, you still get a chance to learn from the experience. Look for ways to become a stronger candidate.
Steps to Take in Specific Situations
1.  Deal with pre-interview rejections.If you’re getting declined before an interview, it may indicate that you need to brush up your cover letter and resume. Double check your spelling and grammar and ensure you’re using appropriate keywords. Ask someone with human resources experience to look over your documents.
2.  Respond to post-interview rejections.Maybe you’re making it through multiple rounds of interviews before getting eliminated. You may want to rehearse more in advance to polish your presentations. Sending thank you letters may help you get valuable feedback and add to your network.
3.  Consider all your alternatives.Older workers who have been laid off may fare better by looking outside of the conventional job market. This could be the time to start your own business or work as a consultant.
4.  Widen your search. Economic changes have been especially dramatic in certain fields and geographic areas. It could help to look into new lines of work or consider relocating.
5.  Get advice.If you’re new to the job market, rejections may come as a surprise. Recent graduates can take advantage of their campus career centers to find resources on how to identify areas they need to work on.
6.  Review your qualifications.If you’re trying to change careers, it’s important to ascertain if your background truly fits the needs of the position. You may find that additional training is required or that you need to clarify how your past accomplishments are relevant to your prospective employer.
The job market is still tight and especially challenging in certain fields. Each rejection brings you closer to a position that’s right for you, so keep your spirits up and hang in there.