Reading time: 2 minutes

If you’re rejected for a job, what do you feel? Maybe disappointment comes first. Maybe frustration.

When I graduated from university, the flood of job rejections left me questioning myself. It felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being inadequate as a candidate. That feeling of not being enough just wouldn’t go away.

Looking back now, I realize now how much weight I had placed on the opinions of others and how deeply I had allowed myself to be influenced by external validation instead of trusting my own judgment.

Getting rejected is hard. It’s normal to doubt yourself. But the danger is when those doubts take over, and you start rejecting yourself before anyone else even has the chance to do so!

Reflection on Past Rejections

I want you to imagine the last time where you were rejected for a job. What did that mean for you?

„The last time I got rejected, I made that mean  …

I am not … enough.”

So, what came to your mind? Did you tell yourself you are not talented enough? Not interesting enough? Not smart enough? Too young? Too old?

Now, rate the feeling of „not being enough“ on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is very mild and 10 is very strong. How strong is this emotion of „not being enough“?

Don’t get stuck on past rejections. Use them to learn and grow.

Do I truly believe I am inexperienced, too young, too old, or not good enough?

Take a moment to question these beliefs by looking at the evidence. Are they based on actual facts, or are they just fueled by fear and self-doubt?

I understand how much job rejections can really get to you. But, I truly believe they can also be a chance to learn and figure out more about yourself. Ask yourself what you can learn from the rejection and how you can improve your future applications. I know it’s hard to trust the process, but every rejection actually brings you one step closer to your dream job.

In conclusion, it’s important to remember that rejection is just neutral. It only starts to feel like a big deal when we look at it through our own past experiences and beliefs.