I was rejected today, in a big way. I had applied for a job that I was 99.9% sure I was going to get. The job description described my skills to a T. The application process was long and drawn out consisting of tests and interviews. I did well on all of them. Today they called, I didn’t make it to the top 3. Ouch!
So how do you deal with rejection. I have spent a few hours moping around, but I think it is time to move on. I have found that feeling sorry for myself doesn’t get me very far, so I try not to spend too much time on it. If I do, I’ll start thinking that there is something wrong with me. I had all the skills required, I put my best effort into getting the job. My resume was neat and spell-checked. I had a fresh haircut for the interview. I double checked all my answers on the test. So the reason I didn’t get the job must be much more presonal. It must be that I am too fat, or they didn’t like the way I dressed, or maybe I’m just a loser type of person.
But that path is not helpful, and it probably isn’t true. I put my best effort into this, so I prefer to think that the reason I was rejected was not anything personal, but rather, that at this time in my life, that job is not the best place for me. I prefer to believe that Spirit (God, the universe, or whatever word you like) has something else in mind for me.
Now it would be really helpful if I could get written directions on exactly what that something else is! Trying this and that and facing rejection every time is difficult. But it is also a time of great personal growth. I have found that I am a decent writer, and maybe that is a talent I should persue. I have also discovered that I enjoy running. Quite a suprise for this PE dropout!
So I am off for a run, and I am eager to see what opportunities await in the future.