How You Can Deal with Job Search Rejection

As a mature job seeker, you may encounter rejection during your job search. Take care of your personal wellbeing and keep your hunt on track by following these tips.

Steps to Take for Your Personal Wellbeing

1. Face your feelings. Getting turned down may trigger difficult emotions such as anger or anxiety. Figure out what troubles you most. It might be mainly economic pressures or doubts about your abilities. This will guide you to the individual solutions you need.

2. Seek support. Talk to other job seekers. Exchanging valuable leads can help both of you feel better. Let family and friends know exactly how they can help you. Find strength in your spiritual communities. 3. Exercise regularly. A good workout fights stress. If a gym membership is too expensive, take a walk or look for free classes in your community center.

4. Manage stress. There are many constructive ways to deal with the pressures of unemployment. Breathe deeply, listen to instrumental music, or focus on helping others to get your mind off your personal situation.

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Steps to Shorten Your Job Search

1. Think like a salesperson. Salespeople know that they’ll probably face a lot of refusals before they close a deal. Remind yourself you’re getting closer to your goal with every interview. If you go into your job search knowing you will need to experience a few interviews and rejections before you find the best fit, your confidence will remain intact throughout the entire process and you will come out unscathed and with a job suited for you. 2. Project confidence. Desperation works against you. Keep in mind that companies are looking for candidates to solve their pain points. Put your worries aside so you can make a good impression.

3. Remain active. Continue your search even after a potential offer just in case that promising proposal falls through. Rejection letters are easier to take if you’re already looking ahead. 4. Refine your strategy. If the job offer goes to someone else, learn from the experience. Look for ways to become a stronger candidate before the next opportunity presents itself. You can use HubSpot to take free online courses to build your resume and enhance your skills on a variety of topics.

Steps to Take in Specific Situations

1. Deal with pre-interview rejections. If you’re getting declined before an interview, it may indicate that you need to brush up your cover letter and resume. Double-check your spelling and grammar and ensure you’re using appropriate keywords. Ask someone with human resources experience or hire a career coach, such as myself to look over your documents. 2. Respond to post-interview rejections. Maybe you’re making it through multiple rounds of interviews before getting eliminated. You may want to rehearse more in advance to polish your presentations. Sending thank-you letters may help you get valuable feedback and add to your network. That position may not have been a good fit for you, but it's possible the same company has another open position that may suit you better.

3. Consider all your alternatives. Older workers who have been laid off may fare better by looking outside of the conventional job market. This could be the time to start your own business or work as a consultant. What's the one thing you always wished you could do for work but didn't have the time?

4. Widen your search. Economic changes have been especially dramatic in certain fields and geographic areas. It could help to look into new lines of work or consider relocating. If you're open to temporary gig work check out Jyve, SudShare, or Jobble. They offer alternatives to traditional work, and some, like SudShare allow you to work from home and require no contact pick up and delivery service.

5. Get advice. If you’re new to the job market, rejections may come as a surprise. 6. Review your qualifications. If you’re trying to change careers, it’s important to ascertain if your background truly fits the needs of the position. You may find that additional training is required or that you need to clarify how your past accomplishments are relevant to a prospective employer. On the other hand, your skills may be transferable and it's just a matter of rewording and organizing your experience and skills in a new and creative way. You can click this link to learn more.

The job market for mature workers is still tight and especially challenging in certain fields. Each rejection brings you closer to a position that’s right for you, so keep your spirits up and push through.

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About: Careerspresso was created to help advance the careers of Boomer & GenX women. Morganne Gervais will show you how to get Back to Work, get a raise, get a promotion and become the obvious choice for every opportunity. Follow to stay up on the latest and greatest in career coaching.

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