Try again, rejection is another opportunity
I.M. Soni

IT is baffling. Why should you, of all persons, be rejected for the job you thought you were made for? It is all more baffling because rejection is hurting to self-respect.

Lots of factors prevent you from getting the job you aim at. Many of them you have control over, while others you don’t.

By controlling those you can and thinking reasonably about you can’t, your chances of taking a healthy perspective towards this job-search issues are better.

Rejections are part of the process. However, by keeping your self-esteem and not rejecting yourself, your chance for success in the next interview is that much better.

Why do you sometimes receive only a thundering silence from prospective employers after your interview? An honest and objective look at the following factors, by no means exhaustive, can help you emerge from the shadows, into the sunshine of success.

Lack of self-confidence, timid, hesitant approach sought to be compensated by conceit.

Lack of specific goals and ambition. Uncertainty and indecision about the job in question leading to lack of enthusiasm and interest, and careless dress, unkept hair, two days growth on chin and cheek. Attempt to conceal slovenliness by over-spraying of strong scent, which draws unflattering attention to itself.

Inability to express yourself well, poor speech habits.

Lack of preparation for the interview, failure to get information about the organisation and, therefore, unable to answer relevant questions.

Poor scholastic record without reasonable explanation for low grades.

Lack of extra-curricular activities without good reason.

Attitude of when can you do for me and so forth.

Poor personality and manner, lack of poise, poor presentation of self.

Unrealistic salary demands, more interest in salary than opportunity.

Your ego is going to be on the line, and it will get battered. Even if you get a call on the very first try, there will be nights when your stomach knots up anticipating failure and should itcome, that spin in your stomach will become acute. Self-esteem is highly vulnerable to rejection.

You must remember that employers reject people for all sorts of reason, few of which have anything to do with you.

Perhaps they had found somebody else earlier, but politely went through with the interviews anyway.

Maybe the budget is tight right you, but they want to conduct interviews to have names of file.

Perhaps they liked you, but your skills were not polished enough for them, yet. Economic factors may mean there are more graduates in your field than there are jobs.

Or maybe they see what you don’t: that the job isn’t right for you, that you will not be comfortable in the organisation.

None of this implies that you are bad, although it may be hard to fight that feeling. You must keep your self-esteem up or the job hunt will get you down. You may jump for a job that is way beneath your abilities. So for your own self-respect, hang on to your ego. Job hunting is tough, chancy and time-consuming. Your belief is yourself is necessary to get you through it.