Job rejection is a common experience for college graduates in India. In fact, a study by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad found that only 30% of Indian graduates are placed within six months of graduation.

While job rejection can be disappointing, it is important to remember that it is not the end of the world. There are many things you can do to cope with job rejection and move on to success.

When a potential employer refuses to hire a job applicant at any stage of the job search process, from the initial application to the final interview, it creates job rejection.

Job rejection is a common experience for job seekers, and it can be disappointing and frustrating. However, it is important to remember that job rejection is not a reflection of your worth as a person or a professional. It simply means that the employer has chosen to move forward with other candidates who are a better fit for the specific role and company.

There are many reasons why employers may reject a job applicant.

• The applicant does not have the required skills and experience.
• The applicant’s qualifications are not a good fit for the specific role and company.
• The applicant’s performance during the interview was not strong enough.
• The employer is looking for a candidate with a different personality or cultural fit.
• The employer has already decided to hire another candidate.

If you are rejected for a job, it is important to try to learn from the experience. Reflect on your interview performance and identify any areas where you can improve. You may also want to ask the employer for feedback, if they are willing to provide it. Once you have had a chance to process your emotions and learn from the experience, you can continue your job search with confidence.

How common is job rejection?

Job rejection is very common, even for highly qualified candidates. A study by Glassdoor found that the average job applicant receives 14 rejections before receiving a job offer.

Job rejection can trigger a range of negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, frustration, and self-doubt. This is because job rejection can feel like a personal attack. It can also raise concerns about financial security and future career prospects.

The importance of coping with job rejection in a healthy way

It is important to cope with job rejection in a healthy way in order to maintain your mental and emotional well-being. If you dwell on negative emotions after a job rejection, it can make it difficult to stay motivated and continue your job search.

Understanding your emotions after job rejection

The first step to coping with job rejection is to understand your emotions. What emotions are you feeling? Once you identify your emotions, you can begin to process them in a healthy way.

Common emotions experienced after job rejection

Some common emotions experienced after job rejection include:

• Sadness
• Anger
• Frustration
• Self-doubt
• Embarrassment
• Anxiety
• Fear

How to identify and acknowledge your emotions

To identify and acknowledge your emotions, take some time to reflect on how you are feeling. What physical sensations are you experiencing? What thoughts are going through your head? Once you have identified your emotions, allow yourself to feel them. Don’t try to suppress or bottle them up.

How to validate your emotions

Validating your emotions means accepting that they are real and valid. It doesn’t mean that you have to agree with them, but it does mean that you need to acknowledge them.

Rumination is the act of dwelling on negative thoughts and experiences. It can be a very harmful habit, as it can lead to depression and anxiety.

Smita faced it. Are you experiencing the same?

The email arrived in her inbox, like a bolt from the blue. Her heart sank as she read the subject line: “Job Rejection.”

Smita had been so excited about this job. She had spent hours tailoring her resume and cover letter, and she had practiced answering common interview questions. She had even researched the company extensively, so she could come to the interview prepared and confident.

But it wasn’t enough. She hadn’t gotten the job. Smita felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. She had worked so hard, and she had felt so confident. But now, it all seemed pointless.

Here are some tips for coping with job rejection in a healthy way:

• Allow yourself to grieve. It is okay to feel sad, angry, or frustrated after being rejected for a job. Don’t try to bottle up your emotions. Instead, talk to a friend, family member, or therapist about how you are feeling.
• Talk to someone you trust. Talking to someone you trust can help you to process your emotions and get support.
• Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Make sure you are eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally will help you to cope with the stress of job rejection.
• Focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Remind yourself of all the things you have achieved in your academic and professional career. This will help you to stay positive and motivated during your job search.
• Learn from your experience. Take some time to reflect on what you can learn from your job rejection experience. What could you have done differently? What areas do you need to improve on?
• Keep trying. Don’t give up on your job search after just a few rejections. Keep applying for jobs and networking with people in your field. Eventually, you will find the right job for you.

There are a number of things you can do to overcome negative thoughts after a job rejection:

• Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling.
• Write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.
• Engage in activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good.
• Practice mindfulness and meditation.

Resources for unplaced graduates in India

Here are some resources for unplaced graduates in India:

• Government skill development initiatives: The Indian government offers a number of skill development initiatives for unplaced graduates. These initiatives provide training in a variety of in-demand skills, such as software development, web design, and digital marketing.
• Freelance platforms: There are a number of freelance platforms that allow Indian graduates to find freelance work. These platforms include Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com.
• Career counseling services: There are a number of career counseling services available to unplaced graduates in India. These services can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, develop a career plan, and prepare for job interviews.
• Education loans and scholarships: There are a number of education loans and scholarships available to Indian students. These loans and scholarships can help you to finance further education or training.

Here are some additional tips from Learnpact’s Student Success Mentors for unplaced graduates in India:

• Network with people in your field. Attend industry events, join online forums and groups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. Networking can help you to learn about job opportunities and make connections with potential employers.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for. Don’t send out generic resumes and cover letters. Instead, take the time to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for. This will show employers that you are genuinely interested in the role and have taken the time to learn about their company.
• Prepare for job interviews. Practice answering common interview questions and be prepared to talk about your skills and experience. You can also get feedback on your mock interviews from your college placement cell or a career counselor.
• Don’t give up. Keep applying for jobs and networking with people in your field. Eventually, you will find the right job for you.

A few months later, Smita received an email from another company. They were offering her the job she had been dreaming of. She had to compromise on the location of the Job, but Smita was ecstatic. She had finally made it.

She had learned a lot from her previous job rejection experiences. She had learned that it was important to allow herself to feel her emotions, but not to dwell on them. She had learned to focus on her strengths and accomplishments. And she had learned to keep trying.

Smita was grateful for the challenges she had faced, because they had made her stronger and more resilient. She knew that she was ready for this new job, and she couldn’t wait to get started.

Final Thoughts

Job rejection is a common experience for college graduates in India. However, there are many things you can do to cope with job rejection and move on to success.

By following the tips in this article, you can learn to identify and process your emotions after job rejection, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and continue your job search with confidence.

Remember, job rejection is not the end of the world. It is simply a step on the path to your dream job. Write in the comments below, are you above or below Glassdoor’s average of 14 interviews needed to get a suitable job offer?