You Didn’t Land Your Dream Job. Now What?

It’s natural to get your hopes up about a professional opportunity that seems perfect — and to feel somewhat defeated when it doesn’t come through. The author offers four strategies to overcome the disappointment and take action. First, put your rejection into context. A useful step is to look back on your own past history of failed efforts, and reflect on how they made other things possible for you. Two, channel your frustration into motivation. If you were turned down because you lacked certain skills or experience, this is the chance to harness your indignation productively. Three, identify alternate ways to achieve your goal. And finally, find ways to stay on the company’s radar.