How to handle interview rejection?

You have done everything you could; you graduated from college; composed an impressive resume; rehearsed with utmost enthusiasm in front of the mirror, before finally giving an interview which you believed went really well. But then comes something that you never expected - the dreaded rejection.

Most of us take rejection as a stop sign, rather than a diversion that may lead us towards a better future. But wait, how can rejection be good you may ask, well, some of the most successful people in the world today were rejected at some point in their lives.

Sachin Tendulkar was rejected by Dennis Lillee.

Amitabh Bachchan was rejected by All India Radio.

Brian Acton (Co-Founder of WhatsApp) was rejected for a job by both Facebook and Twitter.

J.K. Rowling – the author of the billion dollar Harry Potter series was rejected by 12 publishers.

Steven Spielberg was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theatre, Film and Television three times.

Instead of doubting their own worth after being rejected, every single person in the list above went on to achieve greatness in their respective fields. So, what can we learn from these successful giants?

1. NEVER GIVE UP

Learn from the words of Batman’s father: Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up. If you get rejected, learn from your mistakes. Remember, practice makes perfect. And this very practice will help you eliminate your faults and grow in confidence.

2. DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY

Recruiters need to fill positions quickly, and many times their decisions are based on gut feelings, rather than a clear assessment of the capabilities of all candidates. It’s also important to know that it’s unlikely to land every job you apply for.

3. DON’T GET REJECTED FOR THE SAME REASONS

We all make mistakes, but if you repeat them and are being rejected because of it, then perhaps it’s time for some self-reflection. If it’s something you can control, then what’s stopping you from getting better?

4. ASK FOR FEEDBACK

It’s wrong to assume that everything you’ve done is wrong because you didn’t get the job. Asking for feedback from the recruiter is perfectly acceptable, albeit difficult, as many times it will simply be bland and unhelpful. Still, do your best to make the interviewer aware of how important feedback is to you, as this will show them how committed you are to self-development and who knows, it just may convince them to hire you – attitude can be just as important as ability.

5. THINK POSITIVELY AND DO NOT OVER ANALYZE

Once people get rejected in a few interviews, they start to over-think and doubt their own abilities. Yes, rejections can be tough, but instead of taking its frustration to your head, take the experience with a smile on your face, as it’s one of the best opportunities to learn more about yourself and the job search process.

If you let go of the need for an outcome, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities.

Remember, hard work isn’t the only thing needed to climb the ladder of success. It takes both practice and patience. We at GoPrac will not only help you find this ladder, but also help you take your first step!