How To Cope When You’re Unable To Snag Your Dream Job
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“Dear (Applicant’s Name):
Thank you for your application. We received a large number of applications, and unfortunately, you have not been selected for an interview. However, we would like to thank you for the time you invested in applying for the position. We encourage you to apply for other opportunities within our company.
Best wishes for a successful job search. Thank you, again, for your interest in our company.”
Does the message above sound familiar? It’s the job rejection letter that almost everyone receives at some point in their lives, informing you about losing your dream job before you even got started. It sucks. Sometimes, the dream-crusher comes in the form of an email or phone call, and sometimes, it comes in the form of a typed letter. Regardless of how you receive it, the news can be devastating.
Maybe, you brush the rejection off at first…but then it hits you. You’re losing your dream job – the one you’ve been desperately wanting, lusting over, and dreaming about. It was supposed to be your official statement to the adult world that you have “arrived.” Whoa! But, now it’s all gone and it hurts. I get it; I’ve been there too.
Do you keep trying? Mope around? Become a recluse? Incite your inner rage? Or simply give up? You are sad because it was your dream job, after all, and you invested a lot of time, emotion, and effort into snagging it. Even though being told “no” to your dream job hurts – you’re not dead.
But, what does that mean?
It means you can recover from losing your dream job. But first, you have to want to recover from it. You have to take steps towards healing – and then keep going. The good news is this article will provide you with steps you can take to “get back on the horse” and keep going. And guess what? You are young, which means you’ll eventually snag your dream job!
You can learn more about coping with job rejection, coping with losing your dream job, and how to cope when you’re unable to snag your dream job by reading the following articles: What to Do When You Don’t Get Your Dream Job, 7 Alternative Ways To Snag Your Dream Job, When Following Your Dreams Results in Failure After Failure, and How to Move on When You Didn’t Land the Job.
The first thing you’ll need to do is stop blaming yourself for not snagging your dream job because most likely it had nothing to do with you as a person. Moreover, it probably didn’t have all that much to do with your skills either! Truthfully, it was it most likely a “preference” decision.
Think about it this way, the recruiter, interviewer, or hiring manager, probably had several thousand applications and resumes to sift through, so they probably used a program to go through them and determine (through pre-determined keywords), which applicants they wanted to bring in for interviews.
But, why didn’t you get the job after you interviewed for it? Well, there could be a thousand reasons why you weren’t hired after interviewing – reasons that may not have anything to do with your experience or education. So, be thankful you didn’t get that particular job, because it just means something better is waiting for you.
How can you cope with losing your dream job? By reminding yourself just how FAB you are! More specifically, spend time with people who make you feel good – i.e. attractive, smart, sexy, witty, funny, creative, inspired, motivated, happy, and fulfilled. If you don’t have a lot of “free-time” to spend with your friends and family, then call them and have an extra-long gabfest.
Nothing makes you feel better than connecting with the people who always have your back. You may also want to purchase a positive affirmations book or print off some from the Internet. Then, post them on your bedroom walls and fridge, and/or tape them to the dashboard in your car. Surround yourself with positivity. And, realize that not snagging your dream job is, in no way, your fault.
Another good way to cope with being unable to snag your dream job is send the company a “Thank you” note. If you’re interested in improving your resume or interviewing skills, ask for honest feedback – i.e. what were your strong points and what were areas that could stand some improvement. Do not, however, hound the recruiter or hiring manger, because it will land you on the “Do not EVER hire” list.
Understand that pestering the representative will not help you get hired. However, a professional “Thank you” note may help you stand out to the representative, so he or she remembers you when it is time to start hiring again.
You’re upset, angry, frustrated, sad, and disappointed, so how do you cope with it all? By dancing it out to your favorite songs, of course! Stop moping and/or lying in bed with a pint of ice cream and a box of pizza because you were unable to snag your dream, and head on over to Amazon or iTunes. What’s at Amazon Unlimited Music and iTunes? Tons of awesome jams aka songs.
Scroll through the genre lists and pick the songs that make you feel good, strong, confident, capable, motivated, inspired, kickass, smart, and beautiful or handsome. Then dance and dance and dance until your feet are sore, but your heart is not.
Ph.D. in Family Psychology
Ree has a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.M.F.T.) and a Ph.D. in Family Psychology. She spent over ten years counseling families, couples, individuals, and children on adjustment issues such as blended families, same-sex couples, dysfunctional family relationships, relationship issues, etc. Now she writes for famous health organizations and is a published author.
Full Bio | LinkedIn
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