In today's trying labor market and shaky economic landscape, you are not alone if you are feeling discouraged when looking for a job. While there are an abundance of jobs available in the service industry and across the entry level positions, it can be more challenging to find that perfect spot to land if you are a professional. There is no doubt that multiple rejections can leave you feeling defeated and unmotivated to keep pushing forward.

Complicating the arduous process is that many positions now require multiple interviews, meaning that you may invest a good amount of time and effort into the process only to not be asked back. While the rise of remote positions has translated to more opportunities for people wanting to work from home, it has also created a significant amount of competition for many of the most coveted positions. For instance, that one job that just generated 10 viable candidates prior to the pandemic now may be attracting hundreds of applicants.

As such, it is only natural that the rejection rate will also rise. There are a number of ways that you can deal with this rejection as you move through the journey of finding the best fit for your personal preferences and skill set. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

 

Allow Yourself to Feel Disappointed

Allowing yourself the time and space to feel disappointed after a job rejection is a healthy reaction. Nobody will fault you for feeling disappointment. Developing healthy coping mechanisms during a time of a job search is also a skill that you can apply to other areas of your life. For instance, some people find that working up a sweat will immediately make them feel better after receiving bad news. Harness this disappointment and put it toward something positive and you will find more motivation to keep applying for new jobs.

 

Step Outside of the Job Search Box

It can be easy for the job search to be an all-consuming part of your life. For many people not currently employed, the search for a new position actually becomes its own job. Stepping outside of the job search box occasionally will help you to deal with the rejections that come along the way. What you choose to do for fun largely depends on your own special interests. Some people find joy in volunteering in their community while other people deal with the hard parts of rejection by getting creative with music or art.

 

Celebrate Daily Accomplishments

Job rejections can certainly take a toll on one's mental health. This is why it is crucial to be intentional about celebrating your daily accomplishments along the way. Rather than focusing on everything that went wrong, celebrate the things that went right. For example, the free time that you have not working could be spent getting things done around the house. Do not forget to celebrate checking these things off of your to-do list. Even the simple act of making a list and seeing it dwindle can provide a much-needed boost to your mental and emotional health during this challenging time.

 

Treat Yourself

One good way to keep from feeling too down about a rejection is to commit to treat yourself to something special. Associating the negative outcome with a positive experience will help to motivate you moving forward. For instance, maybe you want to justify a night out with friends each time you get bad news on the job front. Or perhaps you want to treat yourself to your favorite dessert. While it is understandable to want to wallow in your sadness for a short time, it is vital that you get back up on your feet and make lemonade out of those lemons.

The most important thing to remember is to try not to take the rejections personally. Remember that it is not a personal decision for the company. This is simply the cost of business. Rather than taking the rejection personally, vow to keep putting one foot in front of the other until you find the best fit for your needs.