Handling Job Rejection: 7 Steps to Keep Going

Dude, job rejection? Straight-up brutal. You spend ages tinkering with your resume, psych yourself up, maybe even splurge on a halfway decent shirt—and then, outta nowhere, you get that lovely “Thanks, but nah” email. Or worse, nothing. It’s like getting hit with a dodgeball you never saw coming. Makes you question if you’re actually cut out for any of this. Guess what, though? Everyone’s eaten this particular slice of humble pie. No joke. It’s almost a rite of passage at this point. Not getting the gig doesn’t mean you suck—it’s just the messed-up game of job hunting.

So, if you’re feeling like old, cold French fries at the bottom of the bag, trust me, you’re not alone. But hey, let’s dust off the crumbs and figure out how to bounce back.

1. Stop Taking It So Dang Personally

Yeah, yeah, easier said than done. But real talk: sometimes you didn’t even stand a chance. Maybe the boss’s cousin needed a job. Maybe the company suddenly decided they’re broke. Maybe the universe just felt spicy that day. Usually, it’s not a “you” problem—it’s just bad timing or bad luck. Don’t let it eat you alive.

2. Try to Squeeze Out Some Feedback

I’ve got this buddy, right? He was super hyped about a job, thought he nailed it, then… ghosted. After moping around for a minute, he actually emailed the recruiter, asking if they had any tips. Shockingly, they replied! Turns out, his answers were a little wishy-washy. That tiny bit of feedback? Made a huge difference next time around.

3. Level Up For Round Two

Treat rejection like a coach who yells a lot but kinda wants you to win. Go over what happened. Is your resume actually fire, or are you just attached to Comic Sans? Get a friend to rip it apart. Set up a fake interview, record yourself if you can stand the cringe. If you get feedback, focus on that. My buddy from earlier? He practiced coming up with real stories and suddenly crushed his interviews.

4. Don’t Let the Sadness Eat You

Seriously, wallowing is fine—for a minute. But don’t set up camp there. It’s like missing the bus: annoying, but there’s always another one coming. Hang with your hype crew, talk it out, eat something ridiculous. Whatever gets you moving again.

5. Keep Chucking Your Hat In

A couple rejections doesn’t mean you’re doomed. Apply for more gigs, poke around, talk to people. The more you put yourself out there, the better your odds. And network, seriously. Slide into DMs, hit up events, chat in weird online groups. Sometimes, jobs pop up from the strangest places.

6. Take Care Of Your Human Body

Job hunting is a job, except you get paid in existential dread. So, like, eat a vegetable. Go for a walk. Get some decent sleep. Watch trash TV. The better you feel, the better you’ll show up.

7. Throw Mini-Parties For Small Wins

Land an interview? Heck yeah. Somebody actually writes you back? Legendary. Update your resume and it no longer looks like a crime scene? Celebrate it. Treat yourself—extra cookie, new playlist, whatever.

Quick Story Break

Back to my friend story—months of job-search hell, finally lands an interview he’s pumped about… doesn’t get it. Instead of sulking forever, he asks for feedback. They tell him to get more specific. He practices, keeps plugging away, and lands a way cooler job a couple weeks later. Perseverance and a little honest feedback, that’s the secret sauce.

Final Thoughts:

Rejection sucks, no way around it. But it’s not curtains for your dreams. Pick up what you can, laugh, cry, whatever—just keep going. Your next gig’s probably lurking just out of sight. Don’t bail before you find it.