In my career, I have the opportunity to engage and connect with many different professionals from various fields and industries, and one thing I tend to run into a lot, is that professional who is completely over his or her job. Over it to the point, that this is the very first thing they want to talk to me about. My first question is always. “Well why are you still there,” and I always get a different versions of the same answer. “There just aren’t job opportunities out there,” and this, my friend, couldn’t be further from the truth. The problem is not that there are not job opportunities out there, the problem is you are probably fearful of rejection, so you don’t even put yourself out there!
Meaghan Marshall said it best in her amazing article: Conquer Your Fear of Rejection for a Better Job Search.
“In primitive times humans lived in tribes depending on each other for survival. Back then rejection would have meant certain death. It is believed it is from here humans fear of rejection originated. Although we have evolved, our fear of rejection remains deep-seated. Fear of rejection is a strong human emotion and one that can hold us back.
During a job search, fear of rejection can result in limiting your efforts to protect yourself from rejection. You may not be consciously aware but you could be sabotaging your job search. Think about your job search activities honestly. Are you approaching your job search half-heartedly? Do you procrastinate? Are you applying haphazardly and perhaps carelessly to opportunities you find predominately on job boards? It is possible you are experiencing fear of rejection.
Fear is designed to keep us alert and safe. A little fear or some anxiety in our job search can be a good thing. It can motivate you to be your best and make the effort in your job search activities. Too much fear however can break your spirits. You don’t want to be so afraid of being rejected that you don’t even try.
You are going to get rejected during a job search. Rejection is an inevitable part of every job search, but you will survive! You may even learn something, be inspired, and go on to find a better opportunity. Acknowledging that you will be okay even if rejected can give you a confidence boost and make it easier to put yourself out there.
Think about what the rejection will actually mean. Simply that you are not the right person for the job. The rejection will not be of who you are. It will not mean you are a failure. You may not be the right person for any number of reasons. You are just one of hundreds of applicants that are not selected.
Redefine how you view rejection in your job search. Rejection provides you with the opportunity to grow and develop. Try to think of rejection as a learning experience that will help you improve your job search efforts. If you believe that from each experience you can learn something you will start to see that your chance of success improves with every rejection. If you change your thinking and see that rejection helps you towards your goal then even rejection can be viewed as an accomplishment.
So while our ancestors may have had something to fear from rejection. Rejection in your job search shouldn’t be feared! Don’t let fear of rejection hold you back.”
Shanice Webb Career Coaching 