After a sleepless night, 3 days of seemingly useless preparation, and a half-hearted early morning gym session, I successfully completed quite possibly the worst and most competitive interview of my life. As the supportive yet cliche words ‘Don’t be nervous’, ‘Just be yourself’, ‘You’re going to do great’, ‘Stay positive’ from friends and family headlined in my mind, I completely blanked on the phrase “teacher evaluation system”, and instead said “teacher… teacher… ugh I’m sorry I lost my train of thought”.

If that wasn’t a dead give away to my nerves I don’t know what was. If you’re anything like me, the day before a potentially life-changing event, you’re an anxiety ridden hot mess. If you’re not like me, kudos to you. I admire your cool.

Either way, it’s hard not to get down on yourself when you don’t get the job, let alone your dream job whether it’s your first or fourteenth try. When I think back to all the other things that didn’t work out how I wanted, I found out later there was a reason. Every single thing in my life thus far has turned out just how it was meant to. It sounds super cliche, I know, but it’s true. So even if you don’t get the job, just know it’s because the Universe has something better for you.

I read a really great article the other day that highlighted some of the world’s most powerful people who first failed like Oprah, Jay Z, and J.K. Rowling. Oprah was fired from her job as a news anchor and then went on to become the most successful TV host of all time. Jay Z couldn’t get a record label to sign him. J.K Rowling wrote Harry Potter while on welfare and it was rejected 12 times. Rowling is now worth $1 billion.

It really helps to put things in perspective when you read stuff like that. Not to mention when you get rejected as many times as J.K. Rowling, you really appreciate your “big break”.

The key to staying positive when you don’t get the job:

It’s extremely important to remember that great things are headed your way and if you make that your mantra, if you make that the center of your focus, you’re in good shape.

So, how do you stay positive when you don’t get the job?

You stop thinking about the fact that you didn’t get the job and start thinking about the other great job opportunities and experiences you will have as long as you’re willing, and ready to receive them. You may not be able to see it yet, just like I didn’t, but something bigger and better for you is always on the way. You know what they say, if it ain’t a blessin’ it’s a lesson!

How have you stayed positive after a job rejection?

xx