How To Accept Career Rejection
It’s important to share your feelings while you’re going through a career transition. Many executives feel it’s too risky to share what’s really going on and end up bottling-up their feelings. This can lead to even more stress. It’s important to let the people closest to you know what’s going on and how you feel about it. This includes your small circle of professional colleagues you know you can trust. You may find out other people share similar feelings.
One of the toughest aspects of seeking a new job is accepting rejection. Very few people find the perfect fit in their first interview. There are even theories out there that suggest you not take the first job that is offered to you unless it is truly your DREAM job. What if you could find “gratitude” for the rejections you receive? If you receive a rejection, it likely means that the situation would not have been a good fit for you. What if a rejection was actually a “gift” and kept you from a situation that didn’t make you happy?
This is great time to specify exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a time that can be used to research other companies that interest you. Maybe they don’t have an opening today, but it never hurts to call their HR department to see if there is something open they have not posted/published yet. It can be an opportunity to begin to build a relationship/bridge for the future, so when something does open up, they may remember you.
The next biggest challenge is to relax and prepare yourself for a few months of uncertainty. Typically it takes at least 6 months to identify and obtain a new executive position. This is a great time to develop some relaxation techniques, to catch up on your reading, to explore the area you live in. Find something each day that supports you. It may be something as simple as a cup of coffee or a beer at an outdoor café, or a hike out in nature where you can think clearly. Reward yourself for each small step you take toward your future. The more relaxed you are, the clearer your thinking can be.
In this very short guided-meditation I’ll walk you through a sample of what I’m talking about.
