Rejection Isn’t a Breakup

We know receiving an email or a call that you won’t be getting the job you applied for can be disappointing, emotional, and often stressful. We know because we’ve all been there.

Getting rejected doesn’t mean the door has closed. It’s easy to feel that a rejection for a particular role or company means the end of the road, but there are a variety of reasons why you could have been eliminated and it can have nothing to do with your skills or how awesome you are. While frustrating, some of it can be as simple as timing. 

But don’t give up. It’s possible to get hired after being declined for a role. In fact, we have a lot of success stories here at KinderCare as do many other organizations. In large companies with big teams and roles with a variety of qualifications and competencies, you may have not been a candidate for one role, but there are certainly other opportunities that you could be in consideration for.   

Experts at Glassdoor have highlighted ways to channel the frustration of a rejection, while also looking forward to the future:   

·       Act Graciously  - You never know if the team has another opening. Their last interaction with you will be the impression they have of you for days, months and sometimes years.  

·       Find Out Why – Ask the recruiter or hiring manager what you could have done differently. If you can’t get an answer reflect on your experience and see if you can find the why.  

·       Work on Your Opportunities– Use this as the time to focus on improvement in the areas that need the most help.  

·       Keep in Touch – Be top of mind. Persistence can go a long way. Keep in touch with whomever you were working with and let them know that you are still interested and/or what you’ve done to improve yourself since the last time you connected.  

·       Stay on Top of the Latest Openings – Set up job alerts and join talent communities to be notified of new job opportunities. Maybe that one job you applied for didn’t work out, but your skills and experience might be better suited for a job that may not even exist right now – but may someday. If it came down to experience in your last application – companies are increasingly becoming more interested in investing in their employees and getting them internal experience and growth opportunities. Check to see if there is an opening you’re willing to start in, then work your way up to the position you want. 

The feeling of rejection can sometimes be the hardest hurdle. In fact, according to Jeffrey Kudisch from the LA Times the average job seeker is rejected by 24 decision makers before getting to the “Yes”. He has some perspective on this and argues we should reframe that way we think about rejection. Getting that “no” can have a negative impact, especially on your self-confidence, and it can feel personal. But it might help to try to think about it this way: each “no” is one step closer to the “yes.”  

Here at KinderCare we tirelessly work to find and recruit talented, passionate individuals with a love of learning – and who we know will thrive in our environment. Our hiring needs change by the season and location. Keep an eye on our openings, and don’t be afraid to apply again. You may not have been the right fit for one role, but there are 2,309 other roles that might be what you’re looking for. Isn’t it worth another try?