Job search rejection can hit you hard and hurt like crazy
You’ve been sitting at your computer for days researching for hours on end. You’ve sent out a gazillion CVs and filled out even more online applications. You have been in touch with everyone you know and even people you don’t. You’ve schmoozed at networking events until even foot petals don’t help. The result? Zilch. Nada. Niente.
Job search rejection is hitting you big time and it hurts like crazy. Your friends and family urge you to dig deep and be brave, but you feel you’re as deep as you can go and there’s not much more to give. What can you do now?
Here are 4 tips to get on top of job search rejection.
1. Reframe Your Emotions
It’s only normal to feel overwhelmed by any job search rejection. It can hit the core of our self-esteem. If there are financial problems worry is an added factor as concerns about bills mount up. Finding ways to relieve the stress so that you can get into calm place to think carefully is important. Exercise, talk to friends, take a walk. Share your concerns so you can take the next steps strategically and regain perspective. It’s time to take a deep breath and manage your emotions. The bottom will not fall out of your world even though it may feel like it. Do whatever makes you feel calm and composed so you can think rationally. Venting is fine for a while, but at some point you have to stop and take action otherwise you will be on a hamster wheel of emotions.
Read: A deep breath is key to managing emotions
2. Create a plan
“Sending out a gazillion CVs isn’t going to work” says Career Coach Dorothy Dalton.
“It’s what I call the spray and pray method. It almost always ends in heartache. What you need is a carefully constructed and well thought out job search plan”.
After you’ve taken your deep breath it’s time to get structured. Work out what you need to do and include a visit to your bank manager if necessary. “Create a job search plan which is structured, coherent and targeted.” Dorothy adds.
Download Returner Roll-Up 2 to find out how to do this.
3. Network strategically
Identify strategic network contacts in line with your target goals. Ask them for advice not a job. This will be poorly received if they haven’t heard from you for years. Donna Svei, Career Coach and Executive Resume Writer suggests networking with former co-workers
A recent study showed that people with strong career networking skills enjoy greater satisfaction and make more money over the course of their working lives. They also tend to land jobs faster. Case in point: One of my job search clients landed a dream job last week. He made the connection to his new employer through a former co-worker at his last job.
Just because you don’t work with your colleagues any longer doesn’t mean to say they won’t help you.
4. See a professional
If the rejection is continuous and you are unable to get feedback it is clear that there is something going on which isn’t right. It might be your CV is not formatted correctly, your LinkedIn profile isn’t optimized or your interview performance is not impactful or convincing. Maybe you are applying for roles that are not at the right level. Many women are deterred from seeing a professional and leave it to the very last resort when they are absolutely desperate. But it’s important to make an astute financial calculation as it can take 6-9 months to get a new job. Calculate how long can you sustain being out of work? The old Einstein quote applies:
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”.
Job search rejection is never easy to handle, but if you follow these key tips life will become a little more manageable. You will get a job that suits you.
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