REJECTION

Even the most successful people have faced set-backs in their careers; but if looked at from the right perspective, “failures” can be the very things that motivate us to keep pursuing our goals. Here are a few examples of people who turned rejection into success:

• Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.
• Dr. Seuss sent his first book to 27 different companies before it was published.
• Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first television job.
• Jerry Seinfeld was booed off the stage during his first stand-up comedy routine.

Instead of letting rejection hold you back from your job search and career goals, use it to strengthen your determination by:

• Maintaining a positive outlook: Not getting a job or internship you really wanted can certainly be disappointing. What you do after learning about rejection is 100% your choice. You can let it discourage you completely, or you can view it as a learning opportunity.

• Asking for feedback: If you developed a good rapport with the employer, try asking for advice on how to make yourself a better candidate. Also, check-in with Career Services and family/friends for constructive feedback on your application materials and interviewing skills.

• Being professional and mature: No matter how upset you are, make sure that all contact with any employer is polite and courteous. You never know when another job opening at that company might surface.

• Not giving up! Rejection can actually be a helpful tool that allows us to re-strategize our job search methods and make improvements on how we present ourselves in a professional setting. Don’t take it personally, learn from it, and keep moving forward.