In the fourth of our ‘How to’ series, we asked Sarah Peñaluna, Families Employment Advisor at the Forces Employment Charity, for some tips on coping with rejection…
Navigating life as a military spouse or partner presents unique challenges. Encountering rejection after a job interview can compound some of those difficulties. Rather than viewing rejection as a personal failure, remember it is a normal aspect of any job search journey. Here are some ideas on how to navigate rejection in a positive way:
SEEK CREDIBLE FEEDBACK
It’s essential to seek credible feedback following an unsuccessful interview. This will provide you with valuable insights about areas of improvement. Learning about these aspects of further development can help you make adjustments. This will improve the outcome of future interviews.
MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES
It’s easy to dwell on disappointment. Instead, channel your energy into positive action. There are endless ways to enhance your skill set and marketability. For instance, you can attend workshops, enrol on professional courses, or seek mentorship.
Explore the Online Mentoring Hub within the Forces Employment Charity online community. Our mentors bring their own experience from a range of leading industries to support you. The charity also holds many free events and workshops that can enhance your networking opportunities.
The Forces Employment Charity’s TechVets programme offers amazing training opportunities for those interested in getting into technology.
FOCUS ON YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
It’s important to have a positive outlook on your incredible skills, accomplishments and past successes. Practise self-reflection, for example, by writing down any challenges you have overcome. Reflect on your strengths and the value that you bring to the role. Identify your strengths by creating a list of your unique technical and soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving and adaptability. Recognising these strengths boosts confidence and helps maintain a positive outlook.
Celebrate your achievements both big and small. Remember the times when you reached a personal milestone or when you learned a new skill. Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes. This can help you recognise that one job rejection does not define your worth or ability.
UTILISE EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT RESOURCES
As a military spouse or partner, you’re not alone in facing the challenges of job hunting or rejection. There are specialised support resources tailored to the military community, such as the Forces Employment Charity’s Families Programme.
Our employment advisors are military spouses and are experts in employment support. They can provide personalised help and guidance throughout your career and help you access support with job searching techniques, CV improvements, interview practice, confidence building and networking.
You will have that career champion advocating for you every step of the way – on the good days and the bad.
STAY MOTIVATED
It can be tough, but it’s essential to remain focused on your goals. Set realistic short-term and long-term objectives and celebrate small victories along the way. Remember that each rejection brings you closer to the right opportunity.
EMBRACE RESILIENCE
Coping with rejection is never easy, but remember that it’s a natural part of the job search process. Leverage your resilience as a military spouse or partner to persevere. Every setback is a stepping stone to success. With the right support and mindset, you can emerge stronger than ever on your career path.
The Forces Employment Charity exists to provide support, job opportunities and training to service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.