The best way to predict the future is to create it.
Dr. Forrest C. Shakler
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Mary, a spouse I was working with, lamented, “they are all about the best candidate experience until you aren’t the candidate”. “Fair sentiment,” I thought, I empathized with her frustrations,“ they don’t even tell you why, just that they are going another direction.”
Ugh, it's true. In a world where feedback matters so much in our lives, and is often a key skill listed in any job description, "the candidate must be able to take constructive feedback and/or give feedback ", the employer doesn’t offer the same. You are simply not their choice. In fairness, most employers opt out mainly on legalities, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Mary is right, it’s hard to know how to course-correct if you don’t know where you went off the path.
She continued, “I really thought this was it. I have applied for so many jobs and have gotten close but this one I really put all my energy in. I spent hours practicing for the tests and for the interviews. I thought the interviews went great-- guess I’m just not good enough”. There it is - the rejection - and nobody likes that feeling.
I try to shift her perspective; knowing it’s hard not to take it personally and stay positive. Ultimately, job searching is personal and most of us want to work in meaningful careers that make an impact but still pay the bills. Choosing to recognize it's not personal is difficult.
As I’m listening to Mary, I think about how my son fractured his finger during the first game of baseball season.
Staying Positive in
the Face of Rejection
Written By:
Charlie Palumbo