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Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how every job rejection leaves a mark on you. Rejections don’t just sit in your memory, they make you ask Am I good enough? Do I belong? Can I really do this? And these doubts follow you into every meeting, every interview, every chance you try to show what you can do.
But the thing is: people feel your energy. They don’t just notice what you do—they feel who you are.
You cannot not show it.
The person in front of you notices when you pause, every little hesitation, any moment you look unsure. They feel if you doubt yourself, question your experience, or wonder if you can really handle the job. Even if you try to act confident, even if you force a smile, humans naturally pick up on it. Your insecurity shows without you even saying a word.
Repeated rejection can slowly wear you down. Every ‘no’ doesn’t just stop a goal; it can make you wonder if you’re good enough and question your worth. Over time, your brain starts expecting failure, and even when you can do it, even when you are capable, you hesitate. That’s why even talented people can feel ‘not enough’ after several setbacks.
The flipside is that these same experiences that shake your confidence can also help it grow.
How to rebuild your confidence
Confidence isn’t fixed; it’s something you can grow. Here’s how:
- Separate your worth from outcomes: A rejection doesn’t make you any less. Your value comes from you, not from what others say or approve.
- Focus on being present, not perfect: Don’t worry about being flawless. Focus on feeling steady and calm.
- Use your body to boost confidence: How you sit, breathe, and move changes how you feel.
- See rejection as feedback, not failure.
