Rejected by an employer or grad school? 5 Ways to Shake It Off!

N-O. Such a small word, but those 2 letters make a huge impact. This time of year is the season where you may hear this word as you are contacted by employers, graduate programs, medical schools, law schools or other colleges or universities. I heard that word from my first choice school when I applied to college (actually it was maybe - I was wait-listed and never got to YES) and I heard NO when I applied to law schools. So, when rejection comes, what do you do?

Reflect. Look back over the process you just went through. Is there anything you would do differently? Do you wonder if your interview skills need work? You can schedule a mock interview with a career advisor by calling 540-231-6241. Review your application materials. Anything need tweaking there? Research a school's web site for information about typical applicants and average scores or GPAs that are accepted. How do your scores compare? Ask questions. You can ask an employer or program for feedback about your interview or application. Some may share and others may not, but it never hurts to ask for feedback. That will give you some areas to work on for the next interview or application.

Breathe. Exercise. When I received reject letters, going for a run or walk helped me clear my head, change my perspective and feel better about myself. Working out your frustration with physical exertion can help you get a handle on the varied emotions you are feeling.

Talk. Discussing the rejection you experience with a friend, relative or career advisor can help you digest the refusal. And, your personal board of directors can also help you decide on next steps you want to take. If you feel like you need additional coaching for next steps, come meet with us in Career Services. 

Try. What new strategy or direction could you try? Do you want to take a gap year to test out that next step you were planning to take? A gap year before additional education is not a bad thing. You can build skills and experience you can bring to the next round of applications. Or, if you are job searching, apply for some positions elsewhere. Taking an initial position at an organization that is not your dream job or dream company, could lead to a future position or company that is. When I didn't get something, I felt let down at the time, but something much better came along. 

Believe. Only you have the gifts you bring to an employer or graduate school. Are you in doubt of those gifts after not receiving an offer? If you want to feel better about yourself, we can point you a number of places to so some self-exploration. One tool is to discover your top talents using StrengthsQuest. Don't know your top 5 talents? Find out here, and then make an appointment with a career advisor to talk about what you learn and next steps for you to take. And, if you want to do even more self discovery, we can help. Rather than looking back, we can help you move forward to SOAR focusing on your strengths, identifying opportunities, creating some aspirations, striving for results you want to see. Come see us, and let's get started!

Like Taylor Swift says in her song, as you face rejection, Shake it off. 

And then do what Frank Sinatra recommends in his song: Take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again. 

You can do it, and we can help.

So, go ahead and Shake it Off with Taylor Swift.

"Cause the players gonna play, play, play

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate

Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake

Shake it off. Shake it off

Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break

And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake

Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake

Shake it off, Shake it off

Shake it off

Shake it off

Shake it off

Shake it off"

Lyrics from Taylor Swift's Shake it Off

And, if you're not a Taylor Swift fan, then Pick Yourself Up and start all over again with Frank Sinatra.