Bounce Back After Getting Turned Down

It’s never easy hearing the word “no,” especially when it’s uttered in the workplace. Whether you’re job hunting and getting more rejection letters than interviews, getting turned down for a raise or promotion, getting fired or demoted, or being told that your position is being eliminated, it’s important to not lose focus of your goals.

Some of history’s greats have received their fair share of would-be setbacks only to come back a success. Lucille Ball was discouraged from acting and advised to seek another profession. Albert Einstein failed his first university entrance exams. Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper because he “lacked imagination.” And at one point, Babe Ruth held the records for most home runs and most strikeouts.

Here are some tips to get you through your next “no:”
Accept it and move forward. Give yourself a moment to take it in, but don’t take it as a personal rejection. It’s about the job, the company or the budget, not about you as a human being.
Ask questions. It’s okay to ask, “Why?” Most employers will appreciate you trying to understand and will offer constructive criticism to help you in the future. Take the advice, apply it and don’t be afraid to ask when you can approach the topic/job, again.
Learn from it. Look over your resume and cover letter or reevaluate your job performance and find areas in which you can improve.
Take the high road. Fight the urge to complain or speak poorly about your boss or the company. Work just as hard, if not harder, to show that your eyes are still on the goal.
Network. Talk with your friends and colleagues and regain that support and encouragement you need to give you that extra boost.
Don’t back down. Remember, it’s just a setback. It’s not the end of the road. If it’s really that important to you, then you can achieve it.

As Babe Ruth said, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” So see your next “no” as one step closer to your next “yes.”