Since finishing your program, you’ve attended convocation and received your diploma. For months you’ve scoured job boards actively applying because you are not only dedicated but also motivated to secure more than a job. You want a career you can be proud of that will allow you to grow. At first, you checked your inbox daily. Lately though, your enthusiasm dwindled because the replies started the same way, “We have decided not to proceed with your application.” If you need help handling rejection, this piece is for you.
Whether it’s your first or fifteenth, a job search can be stressful and frustrating. You are competing for a limited number of positions with people who may be just as skilled or even more experienced. To help you along your journey, we’ve pulled together some motivational tips from Hannah Frye and Elissa Epel, Alison Doyle, Marianne Strenger, and Jack Kelly.
Repeating positive affirmations can drown out negative thoughts when they start.
Maintaining a positive outlook can be challenging when you don’t receive a positive response to a job application. You may find yourself second-guessing your decisions, from the program you pursued to the school where you studied. However, progress isn’t only defined by success. In times like these, you must push yourself to find the resilience to achieve goals which may seem out of reach. Confucius once said, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Life is full of challenges, and how we confront them can set a precedent for how we handle them in the future. Sometimes, the real challenge is creating your own definition of success.
Be curious, stay open to feedback, and never stop learning. Marketing is always evolving—what works today might not work tomorrow. Build your personal brand with authenticity and purpose.
As our needs change, technology evolves to simplify our lives even more. With an AI language model like ChatGPT generating human-like responses, one might wonder whether artificial intelligence will help or hinder creativity someday.
Since speaking to people you don't know can be stressful, practice your pitch repeatedly until it comes out naturally to alleviate anxiety. Don't forget to mention your goals. Whether you’re job hunting, looking to be assigned to a new project or simply seeking to expand your network, clearly state what you’re looking for.
