What I learn from constant job rejections

Towards the Sun Day 7

I received another rejection today. It’s my 9th final interview since last year. It’s been a long job hunting period, where I went into a burnt-out for almost six months. I only started to start the process again in mid-February 2022. So what did I do after the rejection?

• Journal. Write down your fears and intuition. Address your thoughts and end with affirmations that recognise your progress.
• Breathing exercise
• Dance. Blast your stereo and dance it off
• Self-talk. Wrap yourself in kindness. You deserve all the love and much more.

I had high hopes for this position. It’s a great company, high compensation and a chance for me to return to Amsterdam, my first love. It is my main goal because of my community, the work-life balance in the Netherlands and the breathing space it provided me. Though the interview process went well, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the souls along the way, regardless of the results. However, it still hurts to hear they went with the safer choice, experiences.

It’s been a paradox for me. I have the skills, background and attitude, but I want to get more experiences that a job can give me. Yet, the most challenging aspect of job hunting is the lack of experience. That’s why we job hunt! We are here to get relevant experiences, but the safer choice is always someone with more experience, no matter how well you interviewed.

It’s humorous and frustrating, but I understand from a business perspective. Taking a chance on someone is risky for businesses, and we are all risk-averse beings. However, rejection is still painful. Putting yourself out there only to get shot down is dreadful. We cannot deny these feelings, and they deserve a space on this long journey.

Despite everything, I feel blessed and loved. I have supportive loved ones around me, I have a security net, food and shelter, and most importantly, I have me. Usually, it would take me a few days to get over a fantastic opportunity like this, but it took me an evening this time. I am amazed at the progress I made, and I feel it in my heart that I am on the right path.

Perhaps this is a story of an underdog. Yet, in the face of obstacles and strenuous defeats, I will come out with more alignment with abundance, love and kindness. I cannot be prouder of myself!