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Job searching can be mentally taxing sometimes, especially if you have faced many rejections or mishaps along the way. Whether you are job searching on your own or working with a recruitment agency, there is always something to learn for the future. Remembering what you’ve learned, and applying them on the next go-around, can mean all the difference when you’re looking for that next gig or career. We’re here to help you identify the things that will make that important difference.

 

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Rejection

Rejection is perhaps the hardest aspect of job searching to deal with. It can really get you down if you have been under pressure and need work as soon as possible, only to have multiple job prospects turn you down. Fortunately, there are ways of using rejection as motivation, as well as experience, for future opportunities.

Reflection is a valuable skill to master when searching for jobs. Alison Doyle from The Balance Careers writes, “Take the time to reflect on your approach to the hiring process to see if there is anything you could improve upon in the future. Take a step backward and review your resume, cover letter, what transpired during the interview, and your follow-up activity. Given what you learned about the job requirements and people involved, ask yourself if you could have done something differently in order to present yourself in a better light and one that made you seem like a better fit for the job. [1]

The most important thing to remember: don’t give in to negative thoughts. Don’t beat yourself up over the rejection. It is not the end of the world!

 

Motivation

Falling prey to the mental trap of rejection can also spiral out of control and negatively impact your motivation. Maintaining motivation is key to finding a job you’re looking for, but you will only hurt yourself if you let your job searching momentum lose speed and focus.

Alison has a few tips to keep in mind in order to steer clear of motivation road bumps: “Candidates often lose momentum with their search while waiting to hear if they landed a job, especially if they think they nailed the job interview. Don’t fall into that trap. It’s never a good idea to stop looking until you have been offered, and accepted a job offer. Until you have something in writing, continue with your search. Finding other options, and receiving positive responses from interviewers, will soften the blow if you are rejected. Staying in the job market, including networking meetings, will also boost your confidence while looking for a job. [1]

Don’t fall for the mental traps of job searching. Stay on top of your emotions, stay focused, and keep moving forward.