The worst has happened. You have spent weeks, maybe even months, preparing your CV, applying, interviewing for your dream job. Then finally after days of staring at your phone, you receive that dreaded call to find that you have been unsuccessful.

While rejection is often unwelcome and hard to receive, it is a necessary evil that we will all experience at some point in our lives. It is important that we learn, grow, and find positives from negative outcomes. Here’s why rejection can be a good thing:

• Just because they are saying no now, it does not mean they are saying no forever. If you can take the news in a positive and respectful way, then you leave the door open for potential opportunities in the future.
• Usually, the recruiter or hiring manager will deliver feedback as part of the rejection process. Find out where you went wrong or what they think you can improve on; this could increase your chances of getting that job offer the next time you interview.
• As the saying goes “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” and in this case, it really is true. The more interview exposure you have, the more comfortable you will feel whilst being interviewed. Rejected? So what? You will learn from the feedback and your responses will be better and even more refined next time.
• Interviewing is a fantastic networking opportunity. The person you are speaking to may know other companies/departments with similar vacancies, if you can maintain a good relationship with them, they could recommend you to people in their network.
• Maybe you’re not the right person for the job? While this may not seem like a positive, it is. If you are offered a role that does not complement your skills or join a team that you find difficult to work with, then this will cause more problems for you later down the line. Being rejected because you aren’t the right fit will leave you available to pursue more fulfilling opportunities.

Congratulations to anyone reading this who is stronger because they have been rejected and good luck to all those who will be turned down in the future! Maybe we don’t have to celebrate rejection, but we can embrace it.