A word by Kanti Mokgohloa
Getting your first no after anticipating a “Yes” can be quite disappointing. We have always equated hardwork and preparation with success. However, sometimes that seems to not be enough. The truth is, the industry is filled with people who have the same skills, ambitions, and drive. It is therefore important for you to reflect, go back to the drawing board, and figure out what is going to make you stand out.
I remember getting my first “no” after anticipating a “yes”. To me, the “yes” was beyond a shadow of a doubt, as I submitted everything the way I was supposed to, and I met and even surpassed the criteria. So the last thing I expected was a “no”. I remember constantly refreshing my emails every chance I got waiting for that Offer Letter. It was the only thing that I was looking forward to that week. So getting a “no” really set my spirit back, but I realised keeping a positive mindset was key. I owed it to myself to figure out where I went wrong. Hence, after receiving the rejection email, I took a deep breath to process all the emotions I was feeling. Coming to terms with rejection is not easy so I knew I had to keep my emotions in balance.
Research suggests taking a walk or spending some time away from screens to process how you are feeling. This proved to be very helpful as it got me in the right headspace; what I term the “Graceful No”. The “Graceful No” is not a “no”, but a learning a step. It propels you to improve and be grateful for the opportunity offered and look forward for more opportunities to see the improvements you have made.
I then traced every step of my application, sent an email to humbly request more feedback, while thanking them for the opportunity to apply. Now, this is the tricky part as some organisations get hundreds to thousands of emails so they don’t necessarily have the time to respond, especially for personal feedback. Additionally, they don’t owe you personal feedback so do not take not receiving it personally. Most importantly, receiving feedback should not turn into a debate or discussion. Fortunately, I was able to receive personal feedback after my rejection email. The truth is, the rejection was not a representation of my capabilities. They appreciated my effort, time, and dedication in applying, however they felt that I was not fit for the role at that time. They then encouraged me to keep on growing in my field and exposing myself to these opportunities.
The most important aspect of these experience and many more that came after was learning to move on and keep on going. To not be dismayed, as, unfortunately, once you receive your first rejection email, you find that there are many more to come. Accepting them with grace and having the determination to improve is key. Learn to stand out in your applications by going the extra mile. It might be through harnessing your skill sets by taking every opportunity to learn and accelerate your talent. There are surprisingly many such opportunities and for free. Finally, DO NOT TAKE REJECTION PERSONALLY, GRADLINCERS.
