Handling Rejection

It happens to the best of us- getting canned, dogged, dissed, ignored... You think you aced the thing and then get a form letter three weeks later. Well, you may not be able to do much about that immediately, but if it's a job or a company that you really, really want, you might as well give it one last try (*note, please don't try this with a date gone awry). If you're curious to know why you didn't get a specific job, pick up the phone and ask. Or, you may consider writing a nice note to your interviewer, explaining how you were disappointed that you didn't get the position and hope to be kept on file should the needs of the company change. This is a classy move. You'll be remembered for this and may get a call in a few months time. It's also a great way to keep the lines of communication open.

But, despite all of this, it still really hurts to get rejected. And for those dreamers out there with hopes of achieving stardom, rejection happens a lot. And so, that brings us to our point. Surviving rejection is a must for dreamers. Why? Because the more you dream, the more you'll be rejected. Take it for what it is and you'll already be one step ahead of the competition.

Now, what can you actually do about it? Here are some ways we've picked ourselves off the floor. Use whichever ones work best for you:

• Work it Off

  Get a rejection letter? Do ten crunches. No, make that twenty. Even better, go for a run. You'll feel just a tiny bit better once the endorphins kick in.

• Surround Yourself with People who Understand

  Find a group of people like yourself who are all going through a similar experience. You'll discover there are plenty of others who are dealing with the same ups and downs. Share your war stories at happy hour and have a few laughs.

• Eat Chocolate

  Then go back to step #1.

• Ask Why

  If it's a job you didn't get, don't be afraid to call the recruiter or interviewer and ask for feedback as to why you didn't get the position. A note or email works well and you'll be remembered for your class should another position become available.

• Get Over It

  The more you wallow, the more time you waste. Remember that rejection is a part of the game and can happen at every stage of your life. Just ask some successful people you know. Chances are, they've picked themselves off the floor many a time. Resilience is an acquired skill.