The economy has been slowly and steadily improving since the Great Recession hit, but that doesn't mean that everyone who lost their job has found a new one. If you are one of the many Americans still in the midst of a job search, you have probably had your share of rejections. Although they can be hard to take, rejections can actually be turned into a positive if you handle them properly.
The first thing you should do when coping with rejection is find someone to be a sounding board. If you hold in all the angst or fear you have from multiple denials, it can affect your job search and your life as well. Some harried job seekers end up withdrawing from social circles and may even become obsessive or depressed. If you don't want to bother friends or family members with your job search issues, you can find a support group instead. When the economy took a nosedive during the recession, lots of online and local groups started forming to help each other through the trying process of job hunting. As a bonus, several of these groups allow networking to help you find contacts who may result in new leads or maybe even a job.
Instead of wallowing in misery over an unsuccessful job search, you should try to move on. Many unemployed people begin to feel that their search is futile, especially once severance pay or unemployment benefits run out. It's easy to throw your hands up in the air and quit, but doing so will only deepen your worries. This is another area where a sounding board or support group can be particularly helpful.
When coping with rejection, you should also ensure that you are not taking the rejection personally. If you got rejected for a job that you really wanted, remember that there are probably many others who got the same bad news. The most desirable high-paying positions in the market sometimes have dozens of applicants for only one job opening. Instead of focusing on the rejection, focus on making yourself irresistible to recruiters. Take another look at your application, and ask yourself what you could have done better. If possible, ask your interviewer why you didn't get the job, and use that feedback to improve your skills and streamline your job search.
The job market can be a real grind, especially when you are receiving rejection letters for jobs you really wanted. The best thing you can do is network, continue your job search, and don't give up. If you keep a positive attitude and use the rejections to better your marketability, you will increase your chances of joining the ranks of the employed.
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