How to be #RejectedWithPRIDE

When the career search goes wrong, and you don’t get that position you were setting your sights on, what do you do?

Every person has gone through rejection at least once; it happens to the best of us.

Here are tips on how to navigate through the “grieving process” stages and exit as a better than ever version of yourself:

1. Denial

This is the stage when you first hear the news of no job/internship offer, and you cannot believe it. You were so sure you were the perfect fit for this position. If you get a clear-cut no email, phone call, etc. from an employer, there’s no mistaking that it’s a “no.” Better hurry on to the next stage…

2. Anger

After you are beyond sure that you got rejected, the “anger gates” burst open. Suddenly, the employer, company and position were horrible anyway and you think the world has failed you.

But instead of letting the anger define you (or even worse, bad-mouthing the employer), use that energy to take some action steps forward.

• Ask the interviewer if there is anything you could have done differently in the interviewing process that could have changed the outcome.
• Do informational interviews with people in the industry you want to get into.
• Schedule a Mock Interview at The Career Center.

3. Bargaining

After the Anger stage of grieving, you may think you’re over the rejection but you probably are not. At this point, you’re not angry or even visibly sad, but you may be wondering “what if’s”, thinking of ways in which you can convince the company that you are right for the position anyway, or even reading your horoscope to see if the employer will give you a second chance.

Instead of wondering, be proactive for the next opportunity:

• Do some shadowing or interning at a similar company.
• Get a job where you can get related experience.
• Get advice on updating your resume at The Career Center.

4. Depression

When you realize that you were not over it, because you are obviously not at stage 5 yet, you may feel sadness again. This realization that there is in fact no job/internship can seem hard to overcome. You may think that things will never work out.

Remember, that appointments are available at The Career Center all year round to talk with a career counselor about your career development and struggles. For more focused counseling assistance, you can contact Student Counseling Services at 516-463-6791.

Over time, this feeling will pass and you will arrive at…

5. Acceptance
The last stage includes making peace with the fact that this position has come and went, and now it’s time to move forward.

• Continue applying to other positions; one day the right fit will happen if you do the prep necessary to get there.
• Networking is a valuable tool – make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated, attend events where you can learn more about your dream career and make connections.

Lastly, remember that when one door closes, another one is bound to open. We are here to help you each step of the way!

Nayelli Perez,
Assistant Director