There’s no way around it: being rejected from a job you really wanted hurts. You got your hopes up, did the best you could at every step, and yet somehow it still wasn’t enough. However, don’t be discouraged, no matter how bad it feels! Whether it’s God or the universe or fate involved, it all happens for a reason. A better job will come along for you at the right time. The key is how to stay positive in the job search process, and we’re here to help you make sense of it.

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Realize that rejection is normal

Everyone, at one point or another, gets rejected by jobs. It isn’t just something that happens to a small percentage of people, either. Everyone goes through it, from general laborers, to specialized, highly skilled professionals. Even executives get rejected.

The point is not to minimize your feelings. Rather, it’s to help you see that you’re not alone, and job search rejection is a very normal thing.

Normalizing job search rejection can help you brush it off easier, move on quicker, and bounce to other opportunities easier.

Process your emotions

It’s okay and normal to feel upset that you didn’t get the job. These feelings are what makes us human, and there’s nothing wrong with them. Take time to process these emotions, and don’t feel guilty about them.

However, dwelling on what happened for too long isn’t a good idea. Spending days on end sulking about the job won’t help you. Instead, set a time limit for yourself to process what you’re feeling. After the time is up, try your best to move on from it.

It may also be a good idea to talk to others you trust about your feelings. Venting to others who will listen can help you deal with the rejection. They might also give you some tips or strategies to help you throughout the job search process for the next job.

Learn and Grow

How to stay positive after a job rejection involves learning and growth. You can’t move on to another job opportunity doing the same thing you did for the first one. This is especially the case if you made a mistake in interviews or other steps of the job candidacy.

Take a look at what happened during the whole process. Take note of any mistakes you might have made, whether it was typos on your resume or a fumble during an interview. If you’re able to, ask the appropriate person or people for constructive criticism.

You can take advantage of this rejection to brush up on old skills or learn new ones. Depending on the constructive criticism you get, use it to get an idea of what employers are looking for. Working on skills can be an engaging and fun way to take your mind off the job search for a while.

Now that you’re equipped with some tips on how to stay positive in your job search, let’s find you a winning job! Get in touch with us at Tempstar Staffing to learn how we can help you get a great job!