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Beth Hales
September 04, 2019
Newsletter ArticleWe’ve all been there…you’ve made it through the interview phase, and this job opportunity is just perfect for you. You can already see yourself in the role. You feel like you did well in the interview, and you’re holding your breath for that call. Then you get THE LETTER: “We appreciate your interest in our position, however, after careful consideration we are not able to offer you a position at this time.”
Ugh. But before you get too discouraged about the rejections, there are a few positive things that can come out of getting that rejection letter.
What to Take Away from Rejection
One closed door opens another.
Sometimes it is amazing how your career path twists and turns. I remember early on in my career, I wanted to break into the pharmaceutical sales arena. It is a tough world to “switch” to if you don’t have specific product sales experience. People have even written books on how to navigate a transition to pharmaceutical sales (I know, because I bought one). My background and networking were enough to get me into the interview round, but I ended up getting beat out by experience several times. Had I landed one of those first few attempts, I wouldn’t have embarked on the journey that led me to the great career I have now!
Practice improves your game.
Every interview experience helps to further prepare you for the future. If you take the perspective that every experience is valuable and strive to learn something towards bettering yourself each time, that rejection won’t hurt so badly. That employer missed out on a great employee, and it’s your job to figure out how to ensure your strengths and value shine so the offer comes to you next time. Getting angry and bitter about the rejection won’t hurt anyone but you.
Perseverance Pays.
Even the most successful professionals fail. In fact, many will attribute failing to their success. Who hasn’t heard of Michael Jordan? He is known as professional basketball’s greatest player, and he’s quoted as saying: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” That rejection letter just means you need to try again. “Fail forward” as John Maxwell says, and you will find success.
So, don’t let any grass grow under your feet! Go to AgCareers.com and land that dream job.
