In today’s society, being a fresh-out-of-college job seeker can be tough. Gone are the days where college grads were almost guaranteed a job right after they removed their cap and gown.
According to research from the Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, the unemployment rate for recent four-year college grads is 6.8%, which means that a lot of college grads across the country have one thing in common: rejection.
Receiving rejection after rejection can be discouraging and dispiriting, but here are three steps to beating the Job Seeker Blues.
Hey, it’s not personal. Keep it moving. There’s no doubt that the first, second and third rejections will sting. It may become easy to assume that you are the problem but keep in mind that you are competing against people who have been laid off, who are still job hunting, as well as peers graduating with you. It’s possible that the company went through a hiring freeze or had to reassess its budget. Just because you didn’t land the position doesn’t mean that you’re unqualified. Be determined and keep busy with your plan.
Get the real deal on your approach. Knowing the reasons behind a job rejection can be very useful for professional reassessment and reflection. Talk with industry leaders and peers to get insight on your resume, your personal pitch or your tactics. If possible, try contacting the organization to get feedback. Work with a coach or a professional mentor to walk through your interview style and get them to give you honest advice on where you can improve. If you’ve done all that, switch up your plan. Can’t get different results with the same approaches.
Take the rejections like water off a duck’s back. Remember, every no leads to an eventual yes. Being rejected is not the end of the world. Continue networking, interning, consulting, hustling. Remember that every day, countless others are experiencing similar struggles. With work and determination, your dream job will come along!