How do you cope with rejection???
I myself have applied for loads of jobs, but due to having no work-based experience I always get turned down.
Replies19
- Hi Ray,Really good advise here. I understand how difficult it is separating the personal and professional in the creative field however keeping perspective when facing rejection is key. Allow yourself to be frustrated and angry but for the shortest time possible and then be very analytical about the process in order to spot where is room for improvement, how you can better communicate your work, etc. Asking specific feedback from the company is also a good idea, as it will help you to better trim your assets for the next occasion.If you are struggling to acquire work-based experience may be you could show one of the company's existing projects made for you as a case study or even make a proposal to them on an unattended need you spotted? In doing so you can gain that experience and start building your portfolio.Also there is that brilliant take on rejection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yBfAeadqjIHope this helps!
- Hi Ray! Personally I take a moment to feel annoyed, upset and frustrated. Let it all out. And once I've done that I turn my energy into looking forward and working out the next step. You're only looking for one job. Just keep going. Every time you apply for a new role you're creating new possible opportunities for yourself. Don't give up and things will work out. If you need to have more experience, think about how you could get that. Even if it's unpaid or proactive from home. Everyone loves someone who's trying and willing to learn. Don't give up!
- Wherever possible, try and find out why. It may help for a future meeting. Be warned that most people do not realise that any job, almost every job, has already been filled before you arrive at the meeting. Every employer nowadays has to be seen to go through the motions of offering every vacancy to everyone. In truth, they may well have someone already standing by to fill the post. The one bit of advice I give to anyone looking for a job is to look in a mirror before you leave for the interview, and to ask yourself - seriously - would I employ that person? If the answer is no - possibly because you are tired, feeling mouldy, unsure about whether you really want the job - then save all the heartache and do not go for the interview. But if the answer is yes, then go, go, go and make sure that a future employer really will want to employ you. Good hunting!
- Try not to take rejection personally. It's business, and you just aren't right for the businesses you've applied to. That doesn't mean you aren't right for all businesses, so keep seeing every experience as just that - an experience. Learn and keep going. The more jobs you apply for, the more likely it is you'll hear back from one or two eventually.I wish you lots of luck.
- Always remember, it's usually not personal in anyway. Even if it's a cultural mismatch, hiring managers just saves you a bad career path and journey.It's better to be rejected when it's not a great fit rather than be unhappy in the position and potentially losing other opportunities while you're at it.
- Dust yourself off and try again! All those no's will lead to a yes
- I think you just need to take is as a part of your creative journey, and rather than to be discouraged by it, try to use it as a sort of motivation to grow. The competition in the creative industry is so big, and - apart that there are many crazy talented people, it could be also wrong timing and many other things not related to your skills. Of course a rejection is a good chance to take a closer look at your portfolio/showreel. But don’t be too harsh on your self - just keep going, and if you are passionate about your work, you’ll get there!
- Always try to understand why – was it lack of skills, bad timing, portfolio or something else – and process it. Not every rejection is directly related to the candidate, too. It's natural to feel apprehensive at first, but processing the feelings and planning next steps will help.If you had one or more interviews during that time, it is also valid to try and understand why you haven't been selected. Some recruiters/teams may not reply, but those who do will give you valuable insight.
- You carry on.
- Easy to say ofc but I prefer the word redirection ! If it doesnt happen, it means something greater is around the corner for you. It can be so hard sometimes to let go, especially when you are dead set on a dream company or a dream job, but actually you have to trust that there is an abundance of opportunities out there. I know some rejection emails can be hard to swallow and it really hurts when you gave your best and really applied yourself but it just means your perfect fit is somewhere else. I got so many rejections but tried to keep going and eventually landed a cool job that ends up being better than what I had in mind before. Retrospectively, I wish I didnt spend that much time sulking about these rejections. Keep on keeping on, you can do it !
- Keep in mind that each of us brings a unique blend of experience and that companies may have a vision of who they want to hire. We're all uniquely wired and hiring decision are often based on lots of different criteria, so never take outcomes personally, treat them as an opportunity to meet people and gain insights and experience. Interestingly a pattern I see on repeat is that the candidates that land the roles often cast a wide net and have a slightly detached and philosophical approach to outcomes.
- Hello Ray,I've had to deal with rejection numerous times and although it's never easy, I found in the last years that what helped me the most when facing rejection was to focus on all the other positives I had going on. I think we can quickly spiral into negative thoughts when being rejected so doing a mental or visual list of all the positives in your life and work really has helped me however small or big. Another thing when facing rejection is to take a moment for self assessment and being self critical (ie. what could I have done better etc). Doing this can lead to self development and improvements. When facing rejection you can also ask for feedback. Not all clients will give it but on a number of occasions, prospective clients took the time to give me feedback sometimes oral sometimes written and it was so useful. It helped me position myself and understand better how my work may have been perceived. Most of the time rejection is part of something way bigger and it's not about you or you being bad, there are so many factors involved, so don't let it put you donw. I hope this helps a bit.Onwards and upwards :)All the bestSarah
- During a rough period I mentioned to my wife that I was rejected at least once a day - pitches, funding applications, producers, cast, jobs - and saying it out loud really helped. I now try to share the bad news as well as the good.
- After a year or so of entering the industry I realised that rejection is so common, it's pretty much an inevitability. Looking at it from that perspective is a really helpful mindset to have as it makes you pretty much invincible.Over the years it's become more apparent to me that rejection often has very little to do with ability, and much more to do with factors outside of your control i.e. bureaucracy or fiscal considerations (and im sure many more).
- hm... I dance..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM
- It's not easy, I know. I am looking for a job myself and definitely got lots of rejections. And companies that not even bother to answer after I've put quite some effort into the application is really frustrating... But getting shortlisted for an interview is a real highlight and gives you a new boost of confidence, but it's just not easy to get there as so many people are applying for the same job. My way of coping:- I keep applying for jobs, at least 1 a day, so when I get rejected, I know there are still many other possible jobs in the running (I always add a cover letter to try and stand out)- I tried to find my weaknesses and strengths (in my cv) and find solutions on where I needed to upskill, and what I can highlight to really get the kind of job I would like to (for example, I'm learning After Effects at the moment as I saw it was often requested in job ads I liked)- reach out to people and ask them to review your cv and portfolio and work on it- I regularly follow interesting webinars to upskill or get inspired- I go for a walk every day and add in some fun time as well (aside from the job search time) - the learning is actually pretty fun too.It all helps to deal with the disappointment and to stay positive, because you know you are working on it. But it's definitely not easy. Like other people here said: keep going and persistence is key. You are not on your own in this situation and something will come your way for sure.Good luck and fingers crossed Ray!
- Keep going! And trust that the rejections are probably for the best, it wasn't meant to be and what is meant to be will find you. Sounds a bit airy fairy I know, but things will work out - they have to! You've made it this far which means things can only get even better. Places do end up taking chances on people to train them up and you will be that person too.Keep practising what you love and working on passion projects in the meantime to fuel your momentum and produce some kick-ass stuff which can go into your portfolio. And when the inspiration doesn't hit get some air and walk around - that's when the best ideas can surface, by not thinking about anything for a while and letting your thoughts just flow.It's a tough time right now but we're all in this together, you're never ever alone!
- Hi Ray,Sorry to hear that your job hunting has yet to bear fruit.Have you received any sort of feedback from any of the companies to which you've applied? Anything you can build on?The job market is hectic at the moment. I can think of a handful of top quality designers who currently find themselves out of work. They have solid portfolios and experience to back those portfolios up. Of course knowing that won't make your situation any better or easier, but I do think it's important to know that you're not on your own.Have you tried reaching out to recruiters in the feild(s) you're interested in? They will often offer feedback on your portfolio and CV. They might even have something in the pipeline and you could get proposed before the role is even advertised.Best of luck.Nick
- Hi RayI hear you man! We pretty much in the same boat.It's been a 'long year' for all of us, relative to our own.In Feb my independent contract was cut short by 4 months and I'm convinced I've hit the 100+ mark in terms of job applications (full time, contract, freelance, local market, international, you name it). The rejection, or at least what I at times have interpreted it as- is painful!A good mate of mine responded over the weekend with a 'well done, persistance is key' when I told him I got my first response and interview this week! It was that very moment I felt human, connected, emotional and just fucking in the moment.For me It's those moments man!!GOOD LUCK RAY •
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