Getting rejected from a job feels like getting sucker-punched by the universe. You put in the effort, polished your CV, maybe even visualised yourself in that fancy office—and then, boom. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Rejection stings. It’s personal. It makes you question your worth. But here’s the truth: rejection isn’t just inevitable—it’s useful. And if you handle it right, it can be the thing that sets you up for success.
Step 1: Let It Suck (But Not for Too Long)
First, allow yourself to feel bad about it. Seriously. Job rejection is frustrating, and pretending it doesn’t hurt won’t make you feel better. Be annoyed. Be disappointed. Eat ice cream. Complain to a friend. Just don’t let it turn into a pity party that lasts weeks.
Feel it, then move on.
Step 2: Stop Taking It Personally
This is the hard part. Rejection feels personal, but it usually isn’t. Companies reject candidates for all sorts of reasons: internal hiring, budget cuts, a stronger applicant appearing at the last minute.
Maybe they just didn’t vibe with you. And that’s okay. The job market isn’t about proving you’re the best human being ever—it’s about finding the right fit. If it wasn’t this one, it’ll be another.
Step 3: Get Some Answers
If you can, ask for feedback. Some recruiters won’t reply. Others might give you something vague. But sometimes, you’ll get gold—specific insights on what you could improve.
How to ask:
"Thanks for the opportunity. I’d love to improve for the future—would you be open to sharing any feedback?"
Short, polite, and non-awkward. Worst case? No response. Best case? You walk away with insider knowledge for your next application.
Step 4: Reflect (Without Overthinking)
Now, take a step back. What went wrong?
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Did you struggle to answer certain interview questions?
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Were you underprepared?
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Did you lack a key skill they wanted?
Be brutally honest with yourself. This isn’t about beating yourself up—it’s about figuring out where you can improve.
Step 5: Upgrade Yourself
Rejection is the world’s rudest way of saying, “Hey, you could be better.” So, get better.
1. Sharpen Your CV
Your CV is your first impression. If you keep getting ghosted, maybe it’s not selling you well enough.
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Is it tailored to each job?
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Are your key achievements clear and measurable?
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Does it sound boring? (Because if it does, they’ll probably pass.)
2. Learn Something New
If job rejections keep coming, maybe it’s time to level up. Take a course. Learn a new tool. Improve a skill that’s in demand.
Websites like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Udemy have affordable courses on almost everything. A few weeks of upskilling can make a huge difference.
3. Expand Your Network
Half of all jobs are filled through connections, not applications. If you’re just hitting “Apply” on job boards, you’re missing out.
Start conversations. Join industry groups. Message people on LinkedIn (without being weird about it). Networking isn’t about begging for jobs—it’s about making sure people know you exist.
Step 6: Build Resilience Like a Boss
Rejection will happen again. Even after you land a great job, you’ll face it in other ways—missed promotions, failed projects, tough feedback. The key isn’t avoiding rejection. It’s handling it better.
Here’s how:
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Have a support system. Surround yourself with people who remind you you’re not useless.
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Take care of yourself. Exercise, sleep, do things that don’t involve job searching.
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Celebrate small wins. Every interview, every new skill, every networking connection—it all adds up.
Step 7: Play the Long Game
A rejection today doesn’t mean a rejection forever. Plenty of successful people got turned down repeatedly before landing their big break.
The difference? They didn’t quit.
Every rejection teaches you something. Every setback makes you tougher. And every “no” brings you closer to the right “yes.”
So, pick yourself up. Improve where you can. And keep going.
Your future employer is out there—you just haven’t met yet.
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