Bouncing back from rejection as an early-career professional

“We’ve decided to pursue other candidates at this time.”

A sentence that I’ve personally seen around 50 times this year and one that still stings just as much as it did the first time. 

Whether it’s an internship or a full-time opportunity, facing rejection from a role you wanted can be disappointing, but it can also serve as a learning experience as you pursue new opportunities and growth.

Here are a few things I’ve found to be helpful when faced with a rejection letter: 

• Don’t take rejection personally. This is especially true when it comes to pursuing positions within large corporations. These firms can receive thousands of applications for just one role and must narrow down the talent pool somehow. That can be a tough pill to swallow but it’s true. I’ve had my fair share of experiences applying to these large companies and don’t hear back from about 85% of the jobs I applied for. So, look around for smaller firms that may be hiring in your desired field. Not only are they faster at getting back to you with application status updates but there are likely fewer candidates applying for the role! Don’t think you need to land your dream job right away. By building up your skills and growing your network whenever you can, you’ll be well on your way to the perfect career.
• Ask for feedback when possible. No two companies are alike, so this can vary from organization to organization. However, if the recruiter or interviewer offers to provide feedback on how you did in the interview process or gives you pointers for your resume, always say yes. These individuals have their finger on the pulse when it comes to knowing what makes applicants stand out! I’ve found their advice can be extremely helpful, especially when it comes to résumé building!
• Stick with it, and learn as you go. If you found a role you really love and  were turned down the first time you applied, don’t give up! Build up your skill set by learning what can help you stand out for next time, and consider connecting with hiring managers on LinkedIn. For example, I applied for a role with a marketing software company last fall and fell short of making it to the first round of interviews. So, I reached out to one of the hiring managers and asked what I could do next time to help boost my standings. The manager got back to me within a few days and explained how getting specific software certifications and revamping my résumé would help. I followed their guidance and reapplied to a role within the same company a few months later. While I didn’t get that job either, I did make it to the second round of interviews! Celebrate these wins and be proud of your progress. 

It can be disheartening to lose out on a role you were excited about, but you can learn a lot from the experience.  Remember that polite persistence is key to a successful career search, and if you stick with it, you will land your dream role. 

To learn more about interning with Charles Aris, visit charlesaris.com/intern-at-charles-aris.