Education

How to Handle Rejection

getting over job rejections
Written by Simi Gupta

Never Give up!

Do you feel hurt, alone and anxious to advance?

Well, let me make this clear, you’re not alone. Rejection hurts, and there’s no question about that. However it’s the way you deal with rejection that can either relieve the pain or increase it. First and foremost, I’m going to cut to the chase, accept it! It’s perfectly normal to feel down about it, but the clock is ticking and you need to get moving. Competition is fierce! Whatever it is, whether it’s getting rejected after a job interview, getting rejected after an audition, not getting your dream internship in a top organisation or receiving all five rejections on your UCAS application, the main thing is not to give up!

A-Levels Rejection

Let me give you an example of what happened to me a couple of years ago. Every A level student, and they know this, dread what is known as ‘Results day’. I’m pretty sure that this day might not be as daunting to some people, but when you open your results and find out that you haven’t met the grades of your first choice university and your insurance, it can be painfully shocking. This was what happened to me. Obviously, if you didn’t work hard enough, or didn’t do the work at all, then there’s no surprise there. However, if you did do the work, worked hard and, therefore, haven’t secured a university place at the end of it, I can imagine, in fact I know, that the world has turned against you and you’re probably asking yourself what had gone wrong. In a case like that, my personal advice to you is to remain calm, pick up the nearest phone and get on hold onto universities that are in Clearing. At the end of the day, you need to keep on trying to get somewhere and it’s not acceptable to give up! At the end of it, I managed to secure a place at a university, studying a course that I’ve always dreamt of studying, and I love it!

Feedback is Key

If it’s possible, request feedback. When applying for jobs, internships or anything similar, they either publish an application form online or merely state that they require a CV and a covering letter. With regards to covering letters, take a look on university websites, especially if you’re applying for work experience or internships, as they provide a great deal of information that can strengthen your application. The University of Kent, Manchester and Bristol are amongst many of my favourites.

Get Advice

Referring back to the main issue of this blog, I would also strongly advise you not to lose yourself. If you’re having a difficult time dealing with rejection and have no idea of what to do, talk to someone. Whether it’s a friend, family member or even a therapist, it illustrates that you’re determined to get back on your own feet rather than fall and not get up at all.

Don’t Let Anything Get in Your Way of Achieving Your Goal

I’m also going to provide you with another example, which I’ve come across and where rejection is common. Law students who are applying for training contracts face one of the worst possible experiences of rejection. The majority, most likely all, require a minimum of a 2.1 from their degree. As a result, where does this leave students, who are interested in a legal career, who have graduated with a 2.2? In fact, a lot of those meeting the grade requirements receive rejections too. Then again, I cannot stress the importance of not giving up! I, for one, have yet to experience applying for a training contract, but if you’ve chosen a career path that you’re passionate about, nothing should get in your way of applying. Believe it or not, there are cases where students who have graduated with a 2.2 do gain a training contract. However, it does require a lot of hard work and persistence. Additionally, I have read various blogs and comments on forums by people stating that they’ve written numerous amounts of letters, over 100/200 to be specific, to law firms speculating about a possible work experience placement or an internship and, furthermore, the number of responses is very small. Sometimes, you have to fight in order to get your foot through the door and that’s perfectly acceptable, if not admirable.

Don’t Let Regection Define You!

Last but not least, I’m going to end by stating: “Don’t let rejection define you”. Showing your willingness is always the key and, as a known fitness instructor in the US states: “Trust your heart….you will find a way”.

About the author

Simi Gupta

An aspiring lawyer and fitness geek , studying at the University of Hertfordshire, who also takes pride in helping others to make a difference.