So, this message arrived in my inbox today, from a company I’d been talking with for over a month:

“Thank you for your interest in <company name here>. After careful consideration we have determined that while your skill set is impressive, it does not fit our needs at this time. We are greatly honored that you would apply for employment with us and hope that in the future you may decide to do so again.”

Darn it!!

I put a lot of time and work into interviewing with this company.  I spent hours looking up the company and its history.  I went over my interview answers for another few hours.  The people I talked with seemed nice.  The company looked good.  I even sent thoughtful “Thank You” emails.  But after two interviews, both of which seemed to go well, they sent me a rejection form letter.  And it is a form letter, because I’ve seen the same words used by other companies when they too think my skill set is impressive, but not for them.  Disappointed is the mild description of how I feel about the method used to give me this news.  Employment application rejection by any other name is still rejection.

All applications, no gains?

It seems like I’ve been facing a constant stream of rejection from companies around the world.  Nothing is more disheartening than putting a lot of work into interviewing with a company, only to have no gains.  It’s very easy to sink into that Sarlacc pit of despair, letting the acid of rejection etch its way through my armor.  It’s very easy to think the problem of this whole process is me.  And no, I’m not confusing my work with my identity.  But I am confused as to why companies don’t even seem to want to touch me.  It’s not like I’m applying to companies that I would hate working for.  I’m applying to the companies I think I would genuinely fit and enjoy working for, ones which are accomplishing interesting activities, with good people.

Key strategies for coping with employment rejection:

1. Remember it’s personal to you, but it’s not personal for the company.

2. Do your own post-rejection After Action Review (AAR) – what were the highlights of the application process? Any interview blunders you hope to avoid next time?

3. Take time for hobbies and things you love. Don’t just jump into the next application. If you’re recovering from a big let-down (like being rejected after multiple interviews), give yourself a day off from the job search.

How do I cope?  Writing this post is one way.  I know there are people out there going through this whole thing, too.  I know it’s tough and very difficult to keep a chin up.  I will also end up playing a video game, taking my irritation out on the fictional characters there.  And my biggest way of coping is talking with my wife.  She’s been the supportive person and listens very patiently every time.  She understands, because she sees the work I put into my applications and my interviews.  Occasionally, my friends will get some of this from me, too.  But I try not to stress them out too much.  I definitely don’t want them thinking I’m looking for a handout.

Back to work

Then it’s back to doing what I’ve been doing for the last year and a half—looking for work and applying to the jobs I know I can do.  I’ll keep refining my profiles and resumes.  I am the Rocky Balboa of the job-seeking world.  It looks like I’ve been beaten down by unemployment and that I’m up against the ropes.  But I will come back and deliver a knockout.  Like Rocky in the ring, it’s a very tough time.  Overcoming it will take endurance and humor.  It takes attitude.  I’ll show them impressive skills (cue “Burning Heart”)…

What’s your best strategy for dealing with employment application rejection? Drop your tips in the comments.

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John Holst’s career path is as nonsensical and mad as the March Hare. In a series of what John thought were very trusting decisions, the United States Air Force let him babysit nuclear weapons, develop future officers, and then operate multi-billion dollar space systems. Then John re-enacted scenes from “Brazil” by joining the Missile Defense Agency, working as minutes-taker, configuration, project, mission, and test manager. When he’s not writing for Clearancejobs.com, he is putting his journalism degree skills to use as The Mad Spaceball.